Dec 25, 2014 2 min read

Gift returns and exchanges can be a hassle, but don’t have to be.

Here are five tips to ease the process, courtesy of National Retail Federation:

Unwrap carefully. Original packaging is a must for some retailers. Do your best to make sure boxes and gifts are returned in the condition they were purchased.

Give the gift of receipts. Many retailers may allow consumers to make returns without an original or gift receipt, but some don’t. It’s still a great idea to present one. If family or friends plan to return an item, provide them with the original or gift receipt.

Make a list, check it twice. Many retailers have return policies posted online or displayed in stores. Gift-givers should make a list of where they shopped and make note of return policies.

Know online store policies, too. While millions of gift-givers shop in stores, many are purchasing online. When making an online return, it’s important to know who pays for shipping (customer or retailer) and the exact location that returned items should be sent.

Keep calm and shop on. Like shopping leading up to the holidays, returns can be hectic for retailers and shoppers alike.

Be patient when returning merchandise.