What do Canadians do with unwanted gifts?

At Christmas and New Year's it is customary to come home with a gift. But they sometimes don't suit the recipients. In Canada, customers can return items to a store even without a receipt if they know a few rules.

Most retailers will accept returns if the original packaging is intact, and so will the product. The return period is 30 days. By the way, in Canada it is considered the norm to give gifts with the receipt.

Some stores offer to exchange the item for another item of equivalent value, or to pay extra if necessary. For most major retailers, returns and exchanges are easy if you know the rules. For example:

• Indigo, a seller of books and necessities, accepts returns with and without a receipt;
• Costco may return merchandise for a full refund if it is in the original packaging. No more than 30 days from the date of purchase. Checks are not necessary, but a membership card is;
• gift received through Amazon.ca, offers returns within 30 days. This requires the order number from the package;
• Zara and H&M will only accept returns with a receipt;
• Sephora can refund the amount spent or exchange it for another product if there is a transaction in the system.

The salespeople will accept the goods with a smile, and you won't see any displeasure or boorish behavior from them. They don't need to explain the reasons why you didn't like it.

What do Canadians usually do when they don't like a gift and can't return it? They give it away.

Etiquette consultant Susie Fossati says re-gifting is acceptable as long as the packaging is unopened and the item is in perfect, brand-new condition. The key is to make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of someone from the same social circle.

You can repackage the gift, adding a little bit of your imagination and soul to it. As an option, give to charity: second hand and thrift stores, orphanages and libraries.

In any case, it is very important to show attention to the giver and not to reject him with a dissatisfied reaction.