Selling Your Gifts: The Usual Route
If you don’t want to keep a gift, reselling it is an easy and probably the most common solution. Websites like Craigslist or eBay can reach a wide audience, while Vinted is perfect for clothes and accessories. For electronics, Back Market or Decluttr are also good options. And if you’ve received a gift card that’s of no use because Uncle Jack wasn’t quite inspired, a platform like CardCash allows you to sell it to other users.
To maximize your chances of a quick sale, keep the original packaging, take clear photos, and set a realistic price. Be honest about the condition of the product: an item listed as new will sell better. Also consider that the days right after Christmas are a great opportunity to find something you’ve been wanting at a discounted price, precisely because someone might have received it as a gift and doesn’t want it, or got the latest iPhone and is selling the previous model.
Returning a Gift: Often Possible
In the US, for all online purchases, there is typically a return policy that allows you to retract within a certain period after receiving the product. During the holidays, some retailers extend this period, so check their policies. Returned items generally need to be in perfect condition and in their original packaging. You’ll of course need the receipt, which can be tricky if you don’t want to upset the person who gave you the gift, but it’s still better than keeping something you don’t need.
At Amazon, gifts purchased between November 1 and December 25 can be returned until January 31 of the following year. The process is simple: just generate a return label from your customer account. Apple offers a similar policy, with returns possible until January 8 for products bought between November 8 and Christmas. Again, items must be intact, and returns can be made online or in-store.
Donating or Exchanging
If neither reselling nor returning works for you, consider giving your gifts to friends or donating them to charity. Organizations like Goodwill or the Salvation Army gladly accept these types of donations, especially after the holidays. A gift that isn’t right for you might just make someone else’s day, so don’t hesitate!
And now, the crucial question, what did you get for Christmas under the tree? I can tell you that, in my family, I saw a stunning white AirPods Max, some AirTags, and I got a Beats case for my iPhone 16 Pro Max, which, surprisingly, is actually really cool!