The unwanted gift guide

Write a poem, develop a back story, rap it to the Fresh Prince theme song, tell the tale of how this gift came to be – the world is your oyster! We love seeing what Kiwi have received on Christmas Day, and even more so when the receiver really commits to a bit of silliness. It’s all in good fun, after all.

Your listing is likely to get more attention, and at the very least put a smile on someone’s face. Don’t forget to embrace the Q&A, too – you might be surprised how many New Zealander's love to get involved. 

Let us just paint a little picture – it’s Christmas morning. You’re sitting around the tree with your family, sipping coffee and embracing the one day of the year chocolate is an acceptable breakfast food. You’re handed a beautifully wrapped gift, only to peel back the paper and find a hand knitted fanny pack with your name on it. You are not a fanny pack kind of person.

Alas, you have two options – list it and accept the gentle-but-manageable awkwardness that will inevitably wash over every future interaction between you and the gift giver if they were to find out (because let’s be honest, this gives ‘one of a kind’ new meaning). Or, pop it away in a box under the bed, and only bring it out when said person is around. 

It’s becoming a bit of a tradition for many New Zealanders to check out what’s been gifted and unwanted each Christmas (this is where point one comes in particularly handy).

So, if you want to make sure that your listing is part of the festive fun, just select this option as part of the listing process on Trade Me. It also a good idea to throw ‘unwanted gift’ into the listing title and description, to help with any keyword searches.

Plus, whether you’re listing or not, remember there’s a lot of fun to be had on this page too, so make sure to check it out if you’re after some gems or just a giggle. 

Is it bad taste to list unwanted gifts on Christmas and/or Boxing Day? We think no – just rip into it!

Great photos, accurate descriptions, and clear delivery instructions are all important too. Like always.

Get stuck in. 

Our research shows that 63% of Kiwi would feel fine if they found out an item they had gifted someone had been onsold. This underscores the sentiment that our loved ones prioritise our enjoyment of their gifts, even if it means exchanging them for a more suitable item.

Feeling a bit unsure about selling your unwanted gift? Why not consider joining the 48% of Kiwi who opt to donate them to charity. Simply follow the steps outlined above to list your item on Trade Me and contribute the proceeds to a charity of your choice.