Post-Christmas Gift Etiquette

Experts: There's a right, wrong way to say, 'Thanks, but no thanks'

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By Monique Williams

Story Created: Dec 26, 2011 at 4:35 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 2, 2012 at 8:25 AM EST

Millions of folks hit the stores to return unwanted Christmas gifts, even before the wrapping paper hits the floor. According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers will return a record-high
$46 billion in holiday merchandise. However, president of the Protocol School of Washington, Pamela Eyring, says think twice before agreeing to stand in that long customer service line.

"Actually consider the person who purchased it for you, gave it to you, thought about you," says Eyring. "It kind of slows you down and you can think clearly, 'Can I use this?'"

Eyring suggests several alternatives to returning merchandise just for the money: Exchange it for something else; if you have an item that you just don't know what to do with, put it in a 'gift closet' to re-gift in the future; when re-gifting, identify who gave it to you so it doesn't end up back in their hands, and make sure the gift is not personalized for you; give unwanted presents to a charity of your choice; or keep the unwanted gift but bring it out or use it when you know you are going to be around the gift giver.

Finally, in reference to gift cards, Pamela Eyring says search the internet for online gift card auctions sites that may give you a portion of the cash value of the gift card.

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