Here’s what you can do if the present isn’t right for you.
“Tis better to give than receive.” This sentiment is apt during the holiday season — a time when you are bound to be presented with at least one gift you don’t need, don’t like, don’t fit into or perhaps don’t even understand. In cases like these, a return is a perfectly acceptable option. Even if you don’t have a receipt, there are still ways to make the most of unwanted gifts.
1. Exchange it for something better
Many large retailers (including Wal-Mart, Nordstrom and Target) will let you return a gift without a receipt or with a gift receipt; others will give you a gift card instead of cash. That’s OK. A cash refund is so impersonal, it’s almost an insult to your gift giver. Instead, take the opportunity to buy something you really like. You can decide whether to tell the person who gave you the gift, but if it’s bound to come up, prepare a simple excuse. It didn’t fit, it wasn’t working properly, or you already own something like it.
2. Trade in your gift card
If nothing captures your interest at the store where you are returning the gift, you may have the option of taking a gift card in exchange. You can keep this to use at a later date, but if you prefer the cash, you can head to a gift card exchange site such as cardpool.com, cardcash.com or giftcardexchangeday.com where you can sell your card to the highest bidder.
3. Don’t fear the re-gift
If you have no way of returning a gift, or just know someone who would really appreciate it more than you do, a regift is not taboo. But it’s best to do it right away, and only give it to someone who has no connection to the original gift giver. (Even a casual Facebook friendship can burn you.) Make sure to remove all signs of the original exchange, and no one has to know it was a white elephant.
4. Give it to a good cause
If your gift is difficult to return, you could always donate it. Contact a favorite local charity or head to a site like thegivingeffect.com, which can help you find worthy causes according to your interests or what you are looking to donate. Get a receipt and you may be able to deduct the donation on your income tax returns.
You can donate items that are handmade and one-of-a-kind as well, but it’s probably a better idea to hold onto those types of gifts, whether you like them or not.
Remember, ’tis also wise to be a good giver as well as a good receiver. If you don’t mind the items you give being returned or exchanged, understand the return and exchange rules at your favorite retailers, and always discreetly include a receipt or gift receipt with your gift.
Read the original post from Nationwide here: https://blog.nationwide.com/tips-for-returning-unwanted-gifts/