Although it’s not something admitted openly, each year most reading this will get at least one unwanted gift over the holiday period. Us Brits are known for being polite, convincing ourselves that it’s the thought that counts, but in reality, we just want to see the back of it. Using some expert help, we look at the best ways to rid yourself of all those unwanted gifts.
Ask most people, and they’ll be able to recount amusing stories of gifts they’ve received that quite frankly defy belief. To back this up, a recent survey has revealed that nearly a quarter of Brits admit to politely keeping Christmas presents they don’t like. Whether it’s a garish Christmas jumper that you wore with a grimace to please a relative, the cheapest and nastiest bottle of plonk or saying thank you for a box of chocolate ‘private parts’ from a work friend, most of us have been there.
The good news is there are many ways to dispose of an unwanted gift, and it’s not just the tried and tested method of giving it to someone else. Most of you will be familiar with some or all of the suggestions in this guide. However, Nick Drewe, a retail expert at online discount platform WeThrift, has kindly put together a timely reminder to help see you through the season of giving.
Donate your unwanted gift
Without a doubt, the best thing you can do with your unwanted gifts is to donate them to a good cause. When it comes to charity shop donations, make sure to apply for Gift Aid on your items. This is a form of tax relief that allows charities to claim an extra 25p on every £1 donation at no extra cost. In other words, your donation will be boosted!
Other than charity shops, you can also donate your unwanted toys to a children’s hospital, as well as any books to a school or library.
How to Sell your unwanted gift
These days, there are many places to sell unwanted gifts online in addition to eBay. Some others you should be considering are Depop, Vinted, Shpock and Facebook Marketplace, which let you sell a wide range of items.
If you decide to sell your unwanted Christmas presents on these platforms, you need to ensure that the item description is as detailed as possible. Always be clear about the condition of the items, and if you’re dealing with clothes, it’s a good idea to list the right measurements. The more information you give about your product, the more likely it will sell quickly.
Recycle
You can also opt to do your bit and help save the planet with your unwanted presents. Retailers including John Lewis, M&S, Nike and H&M have schemes where they will buy back your unwanted clothes or shoes. If you want to recycle unwanted electronics, games and CDs, you can use websites such as MusicMagpie, which allow you to post your items for an agreed amount of cash.
Give your unwanted gift to another
If you think the present would be better suited for someone else, then you should have no shame in re-gifting an item to a friend, relative or acquaintance that will give it a better home. Doing this will guarantee that the gift won’t go to waste, and not to mention you’ll also be saving money on buying something new on the person’s birthday. All you need to do is re-wrap the present, or put it in a cute gift bag.
Exchanging and returning and unwanted gift
To return or exchange your items, all that is required to take them back to the store is proof of purchase. If a gift receipt was left in your present, you could use this to exchange the item for something else.
If there is no gift receipt, you’ll, unfortunately, have to ask the person who got the gift for a receipt. Likewise, if the present was bought online, it is the buyer’s responsibility to return or exchange it for something else. Obviously, this all boils down to how comfortable you are telling the person you don’t like their gift!
Repurpose
Alternatively, you can choose to keep hold of the present and turn it into something useful for yourself. For instance, you can use that unwanted top as a hair mask or craft a fluffy tea towel out of that awful jumper. As well as this, if you love the style of a particular piece of clothing but hate its colour, perhaps give it a makeover by dying it. The DIY possibilities are endless!
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