Return. Reuse. Recycle.

Merry Day-After-Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas weekend. Today, as all the festivities begin to wind down, there’s another rush to the stores. If you think you have a lot of gifts to exchange this year, I’d like to present three possibilities: Return. Reuse and Recycle.

Return
Did you receive a gift that you love but just isn’t the right size? Or do you despise the gift and long to pick out something you do like? Return it – or exchange it for the right size. Many stores ask for gift receipts in order to make an accurate return – be sure to have yours ready before you step foot in the massively long line for customer service.

While some stores will issue an even exchange or a gift card for store merchandise if you attempt to make a return without a receipt, others just don’t allow it. You can either find the store’s return policy online, or you can wait in line at the store to find out. (It’s no surprise that the greener option is to save gas and figure everything out online.)

Reuse and Recycle
If you’re really digging the gifts you received, have fun and use them!

But if you’re really displeased with your gifts and have no gift receipts or no idea where to return them, never fear. You have options.

First, do you think there’s any way you could repurpose your unwanted gift? For instance, if you’ve received a hideous blanket, could you let your dog sleep on it? Or if you’ve been gifted with an unwanted piece of pottery, could you use it outside as a planter?

If the gift’s ick factor is a little too much for you to handle, there are a few other options. Do you know anyone else who would love the gift? If so, save it for a regift.

When you can’t think of any possible way to reuse or regift the item, stick it in your car and start driving. If you know a good consignment shop, try unloading it there so you can get a little bit of cash in return. If there’s no consignment shop to be found, go to your favorite charity – Goodwill or Amvets or a local homeless shelter – and make a donation. If you get a receipt, at least you’ll receive a tax write-off for your unwanted gift. Just remember not to throw out your unwanted gift, because your trash might be someone else’s treasure.

Photo credit

digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos.net