Plans for an ugly gift

CHRISTMAS: TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE UNWANTED PRESENTS >>> No receipt? No problem - but you have limited time for an exchange...

- Ina Opperman

Christmas is over and it's time to tidy the house and pack away all the gifts - and get rid of the ugly or unsuitable ones.

Now that the wrapping paper has been picked up, the next question is what you can do with that unwanted Christmas present. It could be an ugly sweater or an electronic device that does not work that you would like to exchange - but where?

There are various ways to get rid of a gift that is just not your taste, even if you do not have a receipt and the shop refuses to take it back:

The white elephant party: You are not the only one who sometimes get gifts you just do not like. Have a tea party and ask each guest to bring their white elephants or hated gifts. You can either swop them or sell them and donate the money to a charity. And yes, there are people who have a use for car seat covers in a zebra pattern.

Donate to a charity: You can donate the gifts you hate to a charity shop that will sell it and use the money for a good cause. If the gifts are simply something you now have two of, such as a kettle, you can also donate that to a charity that needs one (and add a packet of sugar and tea).