This is the exact date you must return unwanted Christmas 2025 gifts

While there’s no automatic right to return items bought in stores – unless they’re faulty – many shops have generous return policies, especially over the Christmas period.

It makes sense – customers are more likely to be loyal if they aren’t stuck with an unwanted gift. In these cases, the buyer may be able to return the present and get a refund, exchange or credit note as a goodwill gesture offered at the shop’s discretion, not a legal right.

It’s also worth noting that the recipient isn’t always allowed to return the gift – it’s often just the buyer. Return rights generally apply only to the person who actually paid for the item, and you’ll usually need a receipt to prove it, which can lead to an awkward conversation with the person who gave the gift about why you don’t like it.

However, if you have a gift receipt, that’s a big help. If not, and you don’t want to tell the giver of the gift, you could try with the store anyway, but there are no guarantees it’ll work.

What happens if the unwanted gift was bought online?

If your gift was bought online, over the phone or by mail order, then the good news is the person who bought it has return rights, and again, some stores may have more generous voluntary policies.

Legally they have 14 days after they receive their order to tell the seller that they intend to return the item and get a full refund – and if they choose to do this, they then have a further 14 days to actually return the item. So even if there’s nothing wrong with the item and you just want to get something else, you can ask the person who gave it to you to return it and the shop must take it back – with certain exclusions, or if something perishable or made just for you.

NB: If it’s not faulty, you may still need to pay delivery costs. 

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Here’s a guide to some of the bigger retailers’ policies – with the exact dates to return items for a full refund, or an exchange:

Amazon 

For the 2025 holiday season, most items purchased between November 1 and December 31 can be returned until January 31, 2026. This extended window gives you or your gift recipients plenty of time after the holidays to decide if items need to be returned.

There are some exceptions: Apple-branded products purchased during this period have a slightly shorter window, with returns accepted through January 15, 2026.

Apple

Eligible products at the Apple Store Online that are received between 12 November 2025 and 25 December 2025 may be returned up until 8 January 2026. Please note that all other terms and conditions provided in the Apple Store Online Sales and Refunds Policy are still applicable with respect to such products purchased.

Purchases made with consumer financing are not eligible and are subject to the standard returns policy. All purchases made after 25 December 2025 are subject to the Standard Returns Policy.

Argos

Items purchased from Friday 26th September 2025 to Thursday 25th December 2025 can be returned right up to Saturday 31st January 2026

ASOS

They have extended their returns policy for Christmas 2025. Orders placed between 17 November 2025 and 19 December 2025 can be returned up until 15 January 2026. 

Orders placed after 19 December 2025 are subject to regular returns timeframes.

B&M

B&M has explicitly extended its standard 30-day returns policy for the festive period. Any items bought on or after November 3, 2025, can be returned or exchanged up until January 31, 2026. Proof of purchase is required, and goods must be returned in their original condition with all packaging.

Boots

Boots is offering an extended returns policy on Christmas gifts purchased from the 1st of October 2025 up until the 31st of January 2026. Any Christmas gifts purchased outside of these dates will fall into their usual 35 days return policy.
Customers need to retain their order number and return any unwanted items either to the store or via post in their original condition and unused. Normal exclusions apply. Refunds will be returned to the original method of payment.

Currys

This Christmas return policy is for purchases made between Wednesday 29th October and Wednesday 24th December 2025, you can return unwanted products up until close of business on Friday 23rd January 2026. T&Cs apply.

Dunelm

They’ve extended their returns policy for Christmas. Anything purchased between 1st October – 24th December 2025 can be returned until 31st January 2026. Proof of purchase is required, exclusions apply.

H&M

Any full-priced items and items purchased with promotional discounts (including Black Friday and Cyber Monday) between November 2nd and December 24th, 2025, can be returned until January 31st, 2026. Sale items remain subject to our standard 14-day return policy.

IKEA

You can return many unopened IKEA products within 365 days, for a full refund. No rush, no complicated conditions. It’s best to bring your proof of purchase – or a digital receipt.

JD Sports

From Saturday, 1st November 2025 to Thursday, 22 January 2026, you can return your items at any time. Usual Terms & Conditions still apply. However the group said it is unable to process refunds between Boxing Day and December 28.

John Lewis

John Lewis’s standard refund policy allows customers to return items within 30 days and get a refund. However, over the Christmas period it extends its policy, so this year goods bought between 1st October 2025 and 24 December 2025 can be returned up until 23 January 2026, if it’s unwanted or unsuitable.

M&S

The store has increased the length of time shoppers can return any unwanted products over the Christmas period. Any full-price items bought on or after 9 October 2025 can be returned until 25 January 2026, unless the standard 35-day policy is later, then you will have until that date.
NB: This does not apply to sale items.

NEXT

Any items ordered online or purchased in Next stores between Friday 24th October 2025 and Thursday 25th December 2025 can be returned after Christmas day and up to and including Sunday 4th January 2026 for a full refund back to the original payment method.

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Primark

Primark has announced items purchased on or after October 14, 2025, can be returned for a refund or exchange until January 30, 2026.

The key stipulations are that the item must be in a saleable condition with all original tags attached and accompanied by a valid receipt.

For faulty or damaged goods, a receipt is not required to return a defective item. Customers can simply take it to any Primark store to receive a refund or exchange.

Waterstones

They will return or exchange an item bought as a Christmas gift, beyond their usual returns period. For this reason, they apply an extended returns period at this time of year: these items can be returned until the end of January 2026.