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Returnuary is Coming: The Most Returned Christmas Gifts

Creatix / December 25, 2025


Merry Christmas. Hopefully you received gifts that you can either enjoy or return. Every year, as wrapping paper piles up like snowdrifts, between Christmas and the end of January, a new season begins: "returnuary", the peak post-Christmas gift return season. Shoppers swarm stores and online portals like caffeine-fueled elves looking to undo the gift-giving misfires of December 25th.

Here’s the list of gifts that get returned the most after Christmas, plus what not to give next year to avoid repeating the same mistakes. 

1) Perfume & Cologne — Because Scent Taste Is Like Politics

Perfume and cologne are classic return magnets. Unless you know someone’s exact fragrance preferences, your “eau de grand forest” might feel like “eau de great regret.” Gambling on the notion that you might guess what others may like scentwise means plenty of bottles of spritz returned faster than you can say “gift receipt.” (Wikipedia)

Lesson learned: Scents should be skipped unless you know exactly what the recipient likes.

2) Clothing — Size, Style, Color, Comfort... 

You might think that sweater in festive cranberry red is perfect to then realize your friend hates it with a passion. Your idea of their size may be both wrong and offensive. Clothing is one of the most common categories returned simply because it’s almost impossible to get personal preferences right. (RTDNA)

Pro tip: If you have to guess someone’s style or whether a piece will fit, skip it.  

Candy & Chocolate (Unopened) — Too Soon for Diet Regrets

Yes, candy sounds like the perfect treat. But many recipients stash (or return) abounding sweets they didn’t ask for, especially if they are contemplating the most common New Year’s resolution of all, to lose weight. (NEWStalk 870)

4) Picture Frames — “Remind Me to Take Photos First”

Picture frames are like buying someone a gym membership for Christmas: May sound thoughtful, but the recipient has to do something with it. The extra step of printing a picture to put it on your nice frame, makes the gift really high on the unwanted list. (NEWStalk 870)

Unspoken truth: Digital photos abound. Printed ones are endangered species.

5) Vacuum Cleaners & Kitchen Gadgets 

A vacuum cleaner or specialty kitchen machine might be useful (maybe), but receiving a tool that screams “you should clean more” or "improve your culinary skills" rarely sparks holiday joy. Expect these to be returned, traded, or strategically regifted. (NEWStalk 870)

Real talk: Christmas isn’t supposed to feel like spring cleaning.

6) Random Video Games & Electronics — Oops, Wrong Console!

Many holiday tech gifts get returned because they either: don’t fit the recipient’s system, are duplicates they already own, or simply aren’t what they really wanted. (Newsweek) There are so many electronics these days, including cheap and hazardous ones, that they are better skipped altogether.  

Modern Christmas truth: Tech tastes are specific. Skip electronics altogether. 

7) Mugs & Knick-Knacks — “Did They Even Try?”

According to Reddit threads and holiday gripe sessions, ceramic mugs, especially the sassy slogan typeare a prime candidate for returns, regifting, or cupboard exile. (Reddit)

Rule of thumb: If it’s a mug that says “World’s Best [whatever]”… it is so old school that it may come back.

8) Live Animals — Yep, People Really Tried This

And here’s a wild one: someone received a live fish in a cup as a White Elephant Christmas gift. People argued it was too literal of the game’s name, and yes… this absolutely crossed the line into “return-or-rescue-from-Petstore.” (The Sun)

Verdict: Pets ≠ gag gifts (bonus points for extra paperwork).

9) Burial Plots & Toilet Seats — Why Though?

A UK survey found some people received incredibly questionable gifts: toilet seats and even burial plots. Yes, returned or donated to charity by surprisingly chill recipients. (The Guardian)

10) Generic Gift Cards & Socks — Boring but Safe?

Okay, socks and generic gift cards are more meh than returnable terrorism. But too-boring gifts are often returned or regifted too; they just don’t inspire joy. (askamanager.org)

If all else fails: Aim for thoughtful over throwaway.

Bonus: Why Do People Return Gifts Anyway?

Economists say a big reason gifts get returned is mismatch in value: the stuff you give is often worth more to the giver than to the receiver. That’s why so many gifts go back for refunds, reselling, or regifting. (Wikipedia)

In other words: A for effort. Your heart was in the right place. Your gift… maybe not so much.

Final Takeaway

Christmas gift returns are basically a holiday sport:

  • Perfume? Returned.

  • Clothes? Yelp-nope.

  • Candy? Diet says no.

  • The fish? Definitely returned.

  • Burial plot? Get outta here

If your holiday gift ends up at the returns counter in January's retuarnary season, don't take it personal.
You aren’t alone… but maybe next year go with a gift card. 

Now you know it. 

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