Return unwanted Christmas gifts — with or without a receipt
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Some people are bolder than others, especially when it comes to presents. Those who don’t want the faff of attempting to return an unwanted Christmas gift might plan ahead, letting their loved ones know exactly what they want (or indeed, don’t want).
![[Woman handing gift bag]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/returns.png?w=646)
Others, for fear of seeming ungrateful, keep hold of unwanted presents, opting to regift them or, you know, throw them in with the rest of the clutter at the back of their wardrobe. Of course, the best-case scenario when receiving a questionable gift is to find a receipt nestled at the bottom of the gift bag, ‘just in case it’s not quite right,’ but if you don’t have one, can you still return your gift?.
![[A Caucasian store owner assists a Hispanic woman making a clothing purchase, selling new fashion items. Representing local, personable, small business. Shot in Bellevue Washington, USA.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2183734120-8b09.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
According to the Consumer Rights Act, stores only have to accept returns from the person who bought the item, and only if they’re faulty. That means they’re under no obligation to offer a return to someone who can’t prove, say with a bank statement or proof of purchase that they bought the item, especially if it’s perfectly usable.
![[Woman unpacking present, close up.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-532179243.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But Al Gerrie, CEO of returns solution company ZigZag, offers some hope. ‘Different retailers have different policies for receipt-less in-store exchanges or refunds, [and] retailers are usually more forgiving around the holidays,’ he tells Metro. For online purchases, it’s even easier – often you’ll just need to supply two pieces of information, usually an order number and postcode, in order to have the return processed.
