A man opening an unwanted Christmas present
Every year, millions of people unwrap Christmas presents they don’t like, need or even like. The post-holiday season is filled with returns, trade-ins, or — more disturbingly — items thrown out entirely. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans returned $743 billion on holiday shopping, accounting for 15.4% of that figure. For many unwanted gifts, the journey ends up in a landfill, contributing to waste and of course environmental damage.
With sustainability becoming an urgent global priority, finding thoughtful ways to deal with unwanted Christmas presents is more critical than ever. Here are ways you can tackle this issue by minimizing waste, promoting a circular economy and aligning with sustainable practices.
The cost of unwanted Christmas presents
Unsolicited gifts are more than just a personal concern; they represent significant environmental and insurmountable financial costs. A 2024 report from Civic Science found that by the end of the holiday season, nearly 1 in 3 American adults who received gifts plan to make a return or exchange. nearly 30% of holiday shoppers planned to return at least one item. Additionally, returned merchandise is often not returned to the shelves. According to Optoro, the reverse logistics of American product returns contributes to a staggering 16 million metric tons of carbon each year. These returns also generate up to 9.5 billion pounds of landfill waste, equivalent to the weight of approximately 10,000 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes.
Gift in Brunssum, Netherlands, – 23 December 2019.
Most returned items rarely find their way onto retail shelves. According to the Guardian, they often end up in liquidation sales – for example, a truckload of televisions can sell for $2,000. The other option for them is to end up in landfills, which absorb about 40% of all returned items. Managing the logistics of this process falls to the retail returns industry, estimated to be worth an estimated $627 billion in 2023. The sector often involves labor-intensive activities such as picking, shipping, testing, sorting, and sorting items—tasks that range from and smell tests for clothing for repackaging and arranging transport to either landfill or reseller. The four main solutions to dealing with unwanted Christmas gifts are re-gifting, reselling, donating and finally, encouraging more thoughtful and sustainable gifts.
Regifting: The Simple Solution to Unwanted Christmas Gifts
Upcycling, once a taboo practice, has gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to throwing away or returning unwanted Christmas presents. Research from Finder predicts that by 2024, about 53% of American adults—roughly 140 million people—will open at least one gift they wish they hadn’t received. With an average unsolicited gift estimated at $72, this trend will cost Americans a total of $10.1 billion. Finder also showed that clothing and accessories top the list of most unwanted items, accounting for 43% of these unwanted gifts. However, regifting offers a silver lining, with 39% of recipients choosing to pass on these items rather than let them go to waste.
Recycling helps reduce waste and extends the life cycle of products. For example, a brand new sweater that doesn’t suit your style may be perfect for someone else. When you repair, make sure it is thoughtful and matches the recipient’s taste. Additionally, be sure to remove any personal inscriptions or labels.
Turning the clutter of Christmas presents into cash
For those looking to recover value from unwanted Christmas presents, resale is an increasingly viable option. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace and Depop have experienced significant growth in recent years, fueled in part by the rise of second-hand shopping. The global second-hand market will double by 2027, reaching $350 billion, driven by consumers seeking affordable and sustainable alternatives to fast fashion, according to Global Data Market Size and Growth Estimates 2023.
Thrift shopping is reshaping consumer habits by advocating a sustainable alternative to the wasteful buy-use-dispose cycle of traditional modern consumerism. This change is a vital step towards fostering an economy where resources are used efficiently and responsibly, especially those unwanted Christmas presents. Beyond the environmental benefits, saving offers practical financial advantages, enabling households to save significantly on purchases and redirect those resources to other priorities.
Charitable Donation of Unloved Christmas Gifts
If reselling or reselling doesn’t seem right, donating unwanted Christmas gifts is a meaningful way to make a difference. Nonprofits and shelters often welcome clothing, toys, and household items in good condition. Organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army offer suitable drop-off locations, while local shelters and community centers may have more specific needs.
According to the EPA, textiles accounted for 17 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018, representing 5.8% of total MSW generated. Of this, only 14.7% was recycled, with a recycling rate of just 13% for clothing and footwear. Donating items that would otherwise be thrown away keeps them out of the waste stream and ensures they find a second life with someone who needs them. It keeps items out of landfills, supports those in need and promotes a circular economy.
Rethinking Christmas presents for a sustainable future
The key to reducing the environmental impact of unwanted Christmas presents lies in rethinking how we give. A thoughtful and sustainable gift not only minimizes waste, but also creates more meaningful exchanges. Experiential gifts, such as event tickets or cooking classes, provide memories, not clutter. Gift cards empower recipients to choose the items they really need or want, ensuring greater satisfaction. It’s also an opportunity to support brands that embrace eco-friendly practices – such as carbon-neutral packaging or recycled materials – aligning gifts with sustainability values.
Unwanted Christmas gifts should not contribute to landfill waste or logistical inefficiencies. Reselling, reselling, donating, or embracing more sustainable gifting practices are all activities that can transform post-holiday cleanup into an opportunity for environmental responsibility. This change is not only good for the planet; it’s good for your wallet too. Putting sustainability at the forefront during the holidays not only reduces waste, but also aligns with consumers’ growing preference for environmentally conscious solutions.
