Post-Holiday Gift Returns Surge as Shoppers Face New Fees and Decisions

As the season of giving wraps up, consumers are once again filling stores—but this time, many are coming back to return holiday gifts. The week immediately following Christmas is traditionally the busiest period for returns, a trend retailers and employees say has only intensified in recent years. The National Retail Federation estimates that about 17% of holiday purchases will be returned, with published reports suggesting nearly 40% of consumers plan to bring at least one item back this year.

Retail workers describe this time as a hectic mix of last-minute shoppers and customers returning gifts for common reasons such as wrong sizes or unmet expectations. While some shoppers see returns as a practical and guilt-free option, others prefer to keep or donate gifts rather than take them back. For many, the decision hinges on who gave the gift and how much it may have cost.

Although most in-store returns remain free, online purchases often come with stricter policies and added fees. According to the NRF, about 72% of retailers are expected to charge fees for certain returns in 2025, a shift that has made some consumers hesitant to return items at all. Shoppers say these added costs can outweigh the benefit of getting their money back.

Experts note that return fees are also intended to curb environmental impacts tied to shipping and processing returned merchandise. For those who do need to make a return, specialists recommend reusing original packaging and sending items back as quickly as possible to reduce waste.