Try returning or exchanging it first, since that gets you the full price. If you can't, sell clothes on Vinted or Depop, electronics and collectibles on eBay or Mercari, designer pieces on Poshmark, and bulky home items locally on Facebook Marketplace. List by December 28, when buyers come back, and keep tags on anything that has them.
Finder forecast that Americans would spend about $10.1 billion on unwanted gifts in 2024, at an average of $72 each. It also found people mostly hold on to them, regift them or exchange them. Selling is the option that turns a $72 gift into money, and for most people it takes one set of photos and a few minutes. The figures are Finder's estimate, built on its 2023 survey.
Where to sell it, by what it is
| The gift | Sell it on | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday clothes and shoes | Vinted, Depop | Vinted charges sellers nothing. Depop suits younger buyers and trends |
| Brand-name clothes with tags, bags | Poshmark | Buyers search by brand and expect higher prices, which helps pay its higher fee |
| Sneakers, streetwear, menswear | Grailed, eBay | Buyers know the brands and pay for them |
| Electronics, gadgets, headphones | eBay, Mercari | Buyers search by exact model |
| Toys, games, collectibles | eBay, Mercari | Collectors search for specific items |
| Kitchen and small appliances | Facebook Marketplace (local), eBay | Heavy to ship, so local pickup avoids postage |
| Furniture and large decor | Facebook Marketplace (local) | Shipping is impractical, and local sales carry no Meta fee |
| Handmade or vintage pieces | Etsy, eBay | Etsy only takes handmade, vintage and craft supplies, and it is a poor fit for a one-off sale |
Gift cards are a separate market, with their own sites and rules, and this guide doesn't cover them.
What you keep from a $72 gift
| Marketplace | Seller fee on $72 | You keep |
|---|---|---|
| Vinted | $0 (the buyer pays 5% + $0.70) | $72.00 |
| Facebook Marketplace, local | $0 | $72.00 |
| Depop | About $2.83 (about 3.3% + $0.45) | About $69.17 |
| Mercari | $7.20 (10%) | About $64.80 |
| Facebook Marketplace, shipped | $7.20 (10%) | $64.80 |
| Grailed | About $7.32 (6% + 3.49% + $0.49) | About $64.68 |
| eBay | About $10.19 (13.6% + $0.40) | About $61.81 |
| Poshmark | $14.40 (20%) | $57.60 |
On Mercari the 10% also applies to any buyer-paid shipping, and on eBay fees apply to the shipping charged too, so you may keep slightly less. A $72 sale price is not guaranteed anywhere, and offers are normal.
The lowest fee isn't always the best result. An item that sells for $90 on Poshmark beats one that sells for $60 on Vinted. For your own numbers, use the fee calculator.
When to list it
List as soon as you can after Christmas, and no later than December 28. In sales data from FLIPSAIL sellers last season, sales were close to their lowest on December 26 and 27, then more than doubled on December 28 and held up into January. Listing on the 26th gets you in place before that return. Lots of other people are selling gifts at the same time, so a good photo and an honest price matter more than usual.
How to get a good price
- Keep the tags on and the box intact. "New with tags" is what buyers pay extra for.
- Put "new with tags" or "new in box" in the title, along with the brand, item type and size.
- Photograph the tags, the box, and any serial or model number. For electronics, check it works and say so.
- Search the item's sold listings, not the asking prices. People ask for far more than they get.
- Price a little above where you'd accept, so there's room for an offer. Offers are expected on most of these apps.
- Use the marketplace's prepaid label where there is one, and weigh the package properly.
- Include the original receipt only if it helps prove authenticity, and remove anything with personal details.
Check the rules before listing perfume, cosmetics or anything with a battery, since USPS restricts some of these and marketplaces have their own limits. Poshmark passes on a $50 USPS HAZMAT fee when a package gets flagged.
Is it rude to sell a gift?
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Most people would rather a gift went to someone who'll use it than sit in a closet. Once it's given, it's yours to do what you like with. Two small courtesies help: wait until you're past the point where the giver is likely to ask about it, and don't list it somewhere they're sure to see, which mostly means local groups and Facebook Marketplace if you share friends. If the giver asks, an honest "it wasn't quite me, so I passed it on to someone who'll love it" is usually fine. A sentimental or handmade gift is a different case, and you'll know one when you see it.
Do you pay tax on selling a gift?
Usually not on a one-off sale for less than what the item originally cost, because there's no gain. The IRS says income includes personal items sold at a gain, and a marketplace only has to send a Form 1099-K when your payments top $20,000 across more than 200 transactions, although some states set a lower line. If selling becomes regular, keep records. Our reseller tax guide goes further, and a tax professional can answer for your situation.
If you find you enjoy it
Plenty of resellers started with their own closet. If you end up with a few things left after the gifts are gone, listing the same item on two or three apps gets it in front of more buyers. Once you do that, watch for an item selling twice. Our guide to selling on several marketplaces from one inventory covers the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to sell unwanted Christmas gifts?
It depends on the item. Use Vinted or Depop for everyday clothes, Poshmark for brand-name clothes and bags, eBay or Mercari for electronics and collectibles, and Facebook Marketplace for anything bulky you can hand over locally.
Can I sell a gift without a receipt?
Yes. Resale marketplaces do not ask for a receipt. Tags, the original box and clear photos do the same job for buyers. Designer items may need more proof of authenticity on some marketplaces.
Can I sell unwanted gifts on Vinted?
Yes, as long as it is your own item and allowed on Vinted. US sellers pay no selling fee, and buyers pay 5% + $0.70 plus shipping. Vinted says it is for personal selling rather than running a business.
Is it rude to sell a gift someone gave you?
Most people would prefer a gift be used by someone who wants it. It is yours once it is given. Wait a while, and avoid listing it where the giver will see it, especially local groups.
When is the best time to sell unwanted gifts?
List right after Christmas, by December 28 at the latest. Among FLIPSAIL sellers last season, sales more than doubled from December 27 to December 28 and held up into January.
Do I have to pay tax when I sell a gift?
A one-off sale for less than the item originally cost usually produces no gain. The IRS treats personal items sold at a gain as income. Regular selling is different, so keep records and ask a tax professional if you are unsure.