Aussies Have To Deal With $520 Million Worth Of Unwanted Christmas Gifts In 2014

More Australians are giving unwanted Christmas presents that is why for 2014, the number of such gifts rose to 20.3 million from 14.2 million in 2013.

By cash value, the equivalent of these useless present is estimated at $520 million, according to a study by Galaxy commissioned by Gumtree, a classifieds Web site.

By state, the worst gift-givers who often give the wrong presents are those from New South Wales based on the estimated $190 million value of this unwanted gifts this year.

However, the significant increase in volume and value of unwanted gifts has led the Sydney Morning Herald to ask if Aussies have not improved in the art of gift-giving or if the practice of recycling unwanted presents is only becoming more visible and acceptable Down Under.

Kathleen Bevis, a primary school teacher, says that recycling of gifts has become more widespread in Australia, similar to the U.S. where 76 percent of Americans said in a survey that they find re-gifting acceptable.

In justifying the practice, Bevis explained: "Rather than just throwing them away, it is far better to give it to someone who might get to use it. That way, at least the effort of getting the gift hasn't been wasted."

Among the items that she re-gifts are a Mariah Carey scent that she said smells like feet and lollies and perpetually re-filling beer that lights up yet couldn't be drank.

Another survey for the Post Office found that 25 percent of gift recipients donate these unwanted items to charity, one in eight sell it online and one in 20 throw it away.

Gumtree spokeswoman Niki Hennessey said that many consumers who re-gift do it online because of the degree of anonymity, but she added there is still a risk of the original giver finding out that you gave away the Christmas present, especially if it is unique.

YouTube/Gumtree Australia

Hennessey's tip for such kind of items is to wait for a few days before disposing the present and sell it through a friend who has a different home address from yours.

Psychologist Donna Dawson cautions people from going to the giver and asking them to exchange the item or returning it to them. She stresses that kind of approach is a "Christmas minefield," especially if the giver is a woman. Doing that often negatively affects a relationship, Dawson added.

For gifts that can't be recycled, the St Vincent De Paul Society said it is willing to accept such items. People with such dilemma could bring these things beginning Jan 5, 2015.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au