How to sell unwanted Christmas presents in the UK
Every January, a lot of unwanted presents go up for sale at the same time. You get a better price if you decide quickly and list well. This guide covers what to try first, where to sell, and what HMRC thinks about it.
TLDR: Try a gift receipt exchange first, because it gets you full value. If you sell, list sealed items in their original packaging, check sold prices, and pick the marketplace that suits the item. Selling your own unwanted gifts is not trading.
Try a return or exchange first
A gift receipt is worth more than a sale. A shop exchange or refund gives you the full retail value, and a resale gives you the market price less costs.
Know your rights before you go. When you buy goods in a shop, you have no legal right to return them just because you do not want them. A shop that takes back unwanted goods does so under its own returns policy. Many shops extend their returns window over Christmas, but each shop sets its own dates, so check the receipt or the shop's website.
For goods bought online, the 14-day right to cancel belongs to the person who placed the order, not to you. If the giver bought it online, they may need to start the return.
When to sell unwanted presents
There are two good windows:
- Straight after Christmas. People spend gift money and vouchers in the days after Christmas. Demand is high, but so is the number of listings.
- Later in the year. Gift sets, toys and seasonal items often sell better again in the run-up to the next Christmas. If the item keeps well and you can wait, a later listing can get a better price.
A sealed toy or a LEGO set does not lose value by waiting a few months. Fashion and tech usually do. Our Christmas reselling guide covers which items peak in the run-up to Christmas.
Where to sell unwanted presents
| Marketplace | Good for | Cost to a private seller |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Most items, especially toys, tech and collectables | No selling fee on most categories |
| Vinted | Clothing, shoes, bags and beauty | No selling fee, the buyer pays |
| Facebook Marketplace | Bulky items you can sell for collection | No fee for a local collection sale |
eBay has the most buyers for branded goods. Vinted suits clothing and accessories. Facebook Marketplace suits large items that cost too much to post.
How to get a better price
- Keep it sealed. A sealed item in its original box sells for more than an opened one. Do not open it to look.
- Check sold prices. Set your price from what buyers paid recently, not from what sellers are asking. Our guide to checking eBay sold prices shows how.
- Use the exact product name. Buyers search for a brand, a model and a size. Put those in the title.
- Photograph it well. Use daylight, a plain background, and every side of the box.
- Post it safely. Use a box, not a bag, for anything that can crush. Use a tracked service for anything of value.
Do you pay tax on selling unwanted presents?
Usually not. Selling your own personal possessions is not trading. HMRC's guidance says you are unlikely to pay tax when you sell personal items from your home.
Marketplaces do report some sellers to HMRC. Since 1 January 2024, they report sellers who make 30 or more sales, or receive about £1,700 or more, in a calendar year. A report does not mean you owe tax. Our Vinted tax guide explains what HMRC sees.
The position changes if you buy items in order to sell them at a profit. That is trading, and different rules apply.
This is general information, not tax advice.
Where this connects
Selling a present is a one-off. If you enjoy it and want to buy stock on purpose, the margin is in buying at retail price before an item sells out. Paragn runs monitors across more than 1,000 UK retailers and alerts members when limited stock lands. How to start reselling in the UK is a good next read.
Common questions
Can I return an unwanted Christmas present without a receipt?
That depends on the shop. There is no legal right to return goods you do not want, so a return without a receipt is up to the shop's own policy. Some offer an exchange or store credit.
What is the best website to sell unwanted gifts in the UK?
eBay has the most buyers for toys, tech and collectables. Vinted suits clothing, shoes and beauty items. Facebook Marketplace suits bulky items for local collection.
Is it better to sell unwanted presents straight away?
For tech and fashion, yes, because prices usually fall. Sealed toys, LEGO and gift sets can sell for more in the run-up to the next Christmas, if you can wait.
Do I pay tax on selling my unwanted Christmas presents?
Usually not. Selling your own personal possessions is not trading. Tax applies when you buy items in order to sell them at a profit.
Will eBay or Vinted tell HMRC I sold my gifts?
They report sellers who make 30 or more sales, or receive about £1,700 or more, in a calendar year. A report is information only. It does not mean you owe tax.