by Dawn M. O'Neal

Created on: January 16, 2009

It's the day following Christmas and suddenly you're faced with the dreaded task of trying to figure out where to put all those Christmas gifts you received. You grab the stack of boxes and head to your bedroom to begin the task of sorting into piles.

It doesn't take long for you to realize that you've got this one particular gift that stands out among all the others. It's the gift that you got that you pretended to like when you opened and knew all the while that it would never be used or worn by you. It's the gift that you cataloged in the back of your mind as being the one that you would have to determine what to do with after the holiday season was over. And it goes without saying that this gift will never make it inside your closet, dresser, or to be displayed anywhere in your house.

It does merit, however, the possibility of either being returned to the retailer for a refund or being sold so that in either instance you can redeem the gift for something you can really use now that the holidays are over; cash. But you second guess yourself and wonder how politically correct it would be to get rid of a gift that someone took the time, or lack thereof, of selecting just for you.

There's much to consider. Is the gift from someone you know very well or did you receive it as part of a Secret Santa exchange through work? Is the gift a personal gift? Would there be a chance that you would see the person at a later date and be asked how you like the gift? Worst case scenario, if you sold the gift through an online auction retailer, would the likelihood of the person who gave you the gift be the very one who purchased the gift anonymously from you online?

Gift cards are so much easier to receive as gifts because even if you aren't a patron of the retailer in which you can redeem the gift card, at least you can go to that retailer and buy exactly what you want without concern of receiving an actual gift and being disappointed.

Receiving an actual gift from someone isn't quite so easy. If you hate it, then you have to fake it and pretend to the giver that you love' it. It would be absolutely impolite to say to the giver that you'd like to return the gift for something else or redeem for cash. The only time this is acceptable is when someone gives you an item of clothing and by some stretch they've given you the wrong size. Then you have leverage because you can ask for a gift receipt and return the item and get exactly what you want and the giver is not offended in the least.

So, what if you got a gift that isn't the wrong size and you're thinking how much you'd like to return the item or redeem for cash? Just smile politely and thank the giver for their gift to you. Then discreetly return the item a week or so after the holidays to ensure you don't run into the giver at the same place while making your return. Okay, wait a month if you can.

Selling a gift or returning for its cash value is not as impolite as putting it in the back of your closet to be re-gifted and given to someone next year. Since the gift has no significant value or worth to you, just be sure you don't forget where the gift came from and re-gift it back to that person next year.

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