It's the Thought That Counts; Get Rid of Bad Gifts

Dec. 24, 2007 Special to ABCNEWS.com — -- As if the daily grind doesn't take a big enough chunk out of our lives, it's that time of year again--here come the holidays, the gift-giving season. Which in turn ushers in the re-gifting season.

It's tough enough to make it through the average day without having to figure out what to give your friends, family and coworkers. And it's even tougher to figure out what to do with gifts you get and don't need.

Click here to see how to regift or resell with grace at our partner site, Forbes.com.

Despite the craziness, the holidays bring happy times and feelings of goodwill. Don't you wish you could show your goodwill by finding the right gift for your loved ones?

But what about everyone else--the people you are required to give to? Those are gifts you really have to think about, and you usually end up grabbing something quick and hoping for the best.

The truth is that according to eBay's annual re-gifting survey (conducted by Harris Interactive) 83% of American adults receive unwanted gifts during the holiday season. This can't be just the casual-acquaintance category of gifts--it has to include gifts from loved ones too. This means that most people are potential re-gifters or resellers. Do you think the gift you gave could end up being re-gifted? The survey said that nearly half of those adults (47%) typically re-gift or resell items.

Better than re-gifting, and becoming more and more acceptable, is reselling. Businesspeople and housewives, college students and professionals are all finding their way to an Internet-driven marketplace to sell their gifts and fatten their wallets. EBay to the rescue. The same survey found that unwanted does not mean unappreciated: Nearly one-third of all adults surveyed (32%) would rather get a present they could re-gift or resell than not get a present at all.

Selling unwanted gifts on eBay requires little in the way of training and can bring in much-needed extra money to pay off holiday bills.

I've been doing this since 2000, and I end up using the proceeds to buy what I really want for myself. You can do it too. Here are a few simple tips: