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Happy Monday, y’all!
Welcome to that timeless stretch between Christmas and the New Year. Some call it Betwixmas, others call it The Void. Nobody really knows what day it is. (Thankfully, Daily Money has you covered with the reminders!)
You may recall last week I wrote about what types of gifts Americans were buying this holiday season. According to Visa, electronics and apparel purchases saw huge gains, and I joked that the boxes under our Christmas trees were probably socks and smart tech.
Well, I celebrated Christmas with my partner’s family, and I couldn’t help but cackle as they unwrapped their gifts. One box was full of 80 pairs of socks — yes, 80! — and another was a 65” smart TV. Visa was spot-on in my case.
Did that trend ring true for your holiday gifts? Send us a reply to let us know!
In the meantime, we’ll cover the gift exchange policies for major retailers in case you want to return… say, 79 pairs of socks. Let’s get to it. — Adam Hardy Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe to get Daily Money delivered to your inbox for free. |
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Returns are an unavoidable part of the modern gift-giving experience. Maybe the style choice missed the mark. Or perhaps the size was simply too small.
Whatever the reason, millions of Americans this week are tracking down receipts and re-wrapping packages in an effort to return a holiday gift or two. According to a recent poll by Shorr, a packaging manufacturer, 65% of U.S. adults say they have returned a holiday gift in the past, and 40% plan to do so this holiday season.
By the end of the year, a National Retail Federation report found that the value of returned items in the retail industry are projected to reach a whopping $850 billion.
As my colleague Andrea Agostini Ferrer reports, some good news is that several major retailers have extended their policies beyond the typical 30-day return window to make holiday gift exchanges or refunds a little bit easier.
One major thing to keep in mind is that the original purchase date usually needs to fall between October and December, depending on the store. Here’s a quick look at the rules for some of the most popular retailers.
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- Amazon: For most gifts purchased Nov. 1-Dec. 31, the return deadline is Jan. 31.
- Best Buy: For most gifts purchased Oct. 31-Dec. 31, the deadline is Jan. 15.
- Target: For most gifts purchased Nov. 1-Dec. 24, the deadline is Jan. 24.
- Walmart: For most gifts purchased Oct. 1-Dec. 31, the deadline is Jan. 31.
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Not all items — particularly Apple products — are eligible for these extended return windows. In the link below, Andrea breaks down some crucial caveats and covers the return policies for several other popular retailers as well. — AH |
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This Easy Gift Is a Scammer's Favorite |
More than 60% of shoppers stuff gift cards into stockings every holiday season, which means scammers see December as open season. The gift cards you can buy from trusted retailers are safe — but organized retail crime networks have gotten sneaky.
Some scammers tamper with cards on store racks, quietly stealing the number or PIN, then draining the balance moments after purchase. Others go the classic route: convincing people to buy gift cards to “pay a debt” or “claim a prize.”
State attorneys general aren’t amused. They’re teaming up with retailers, law enforcement, legislators and groups like the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance to shut down these schemes nationwide. But they need backup.
Before using a gift card (and, ideally, before buying one), inspect packaging like a detective — make sure the seals are intact and there are no scratched-off numbers. Check balances only on official retailer sites or phone numbers, never sketchy links. And never share a gift card number or PIN with anyone. If fraud strikes, report it to your state AG immediately.
The goal? Keep gift cards joyful — and scammers very, very disappointed. — Kat Peach |
In the newsroom, our editors are talking about... |
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The two main factors currently influencing mortgage rates — inflation and the labor market — are pulling in opposite directions. What does that mean for homebuyers? |
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What to Watch for This Week |
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| It’s a holiday-shortened stretch, but markets aren’t exactly coasting. Traders are watching whether the late-year “Santa Claus rally” has legs — and keeping one eye on the first big economic signals headed into 2026. |
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| The Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes land this week, and investors will parse every line for clues on the central bank's next moves — especially when it comes to potential rate cuts. |
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| Initial jobless claims offer a quick read on the labor market — and right now, the tug-of-war between cooling inflation and softer job growth is a big reason borrowing costs remain stubborn. |
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| Making resolutions is a New Year’s Day tradition — and for many, money goals are top of mind. Whether it’s saving more, paying down debt or finally building an emergency fund, small, realistic changes tend to stick longer than big promises. |
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This issue of Daily Money was written by lead data reporter Adam Hardy and associate editor Kat Peach. It was edited by Kat Peach. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please email [email protected] with any feedback. | |
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