by E K Stapleton

Created on: September 27, 2009   Last Updated: October 07, 2009

One of the most dreaded, yet unavoidable chores during the aftermath of Christmas is the returning of unwanted gifts. It's as much a tradition of the season as the gift-giving itself - but what presents are being returned, and why? What is the cause of those endless lines at the return desk? Let's find out what exactly are the most returned Christmas presents.

Clothing is always a popular choice for gift-giving, and likewise accounts for a large percentage of the items making their way to the return desk. Susan Manning, a retail manager for more than twenty years, says, " When it comes to buying clothes for someone else there are far too many variables." She estimates that in the weeks following Christmas, clothing will make up about seventy percent of all returns at her store. So what is so difficult about buying clothing? First off, let's just say that not all sizes are created equal. A size 5 from one designer may fit like a glove, while from another designer may require some tight squeezing to even fit one's legs into. Then there are pleats, cuts, patterns, and styles that don't automatically flatter every body type. There's also the matter of taste, which varies greatly between people.

What would Christmas be without toys? What reason could there possibly be to return any of those wonderful playthings? Especially if it's one of those years when manufacturers have a must-have hit on their hands, like the Cabbage Patch doll, many kids will receive more than one. Even if it's just something a child desperately wants, everybody wants to be the hero who came through with the sought-after gift. The child may receive the same gift from Uncle Steve, Grandma, and cousin Julie. Age-appropriate toys are an issue as well. Even though the packaging clearly states the toy has small pieces that present a choking hazard to children under three, someone will still buy it for their two-year-old nephew. Then there is grandma, who doesn't grasp the idea that her granddaughter is ten and no longer likes to play with Little Tykes toys. This all adds up to a lot of toys heading for the return desk.

According to Dan Lacombe, a sales associate at an HMV, CD's and DVD's bring in large sales numbers for Christmas, and a large number of returns after Christmas. He explains that when it comes to CD's most people just want to exchange for their preferred genre of music. In the case of DVD's there are a number of reasons. Some people have received an entire box set of a show they really didn't care for one episode of, let alone watch an entire season. Then there are those who received the wrong format. The blu ray disc they got isn't going to be much good in their VHS player. Maybe the person just doesn't like to watch a movie more than once, so why own a copy?

Rounding out the list of most returned Christmas presents would have to be household items. There really is no end to them. Towels that might match someone's bathroom, but certainly not the one in the home of the person who received them. You thought your parents would enjoy watching movies on their own DVD player, but they really aren't that thrilled with all this new technology. The grilled sandwich maker that didn't make any bigger of an impression than the one still in the box in the closet. That kitchen clock that sounds off meowing cats on the hour, every hour. The set of pots and pans that your husband thoughtlessly bought you, but was smart enough to keep the receipt for. You know where they're all going.

Returning unwanted presents is all a part of Christmas. You have to take the good with the bad, but at least we know where to take the bad, right to that long line up at the return desk.

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