Festive dash to return replica presents

The busiest days for returning unwanted Christmas presents are December 28th and 29th, according to new research from credit card provider Halifax.

Shopkeepers carry out 29 per cent more refunds on credit cards in December than they do in any other month, with the average unwanted gift costing £55.

The amount of money refunded in January tops the scale, with the average amount put back on credit cards £60 for the month.

Ken Stannard, head of credit cards at Halifax, said that at this time of year it’s important that consumers know their rights when it comes to refunds.

"The busy high street can be a stressful place at this time of year, but with the right knowledge of your shopping rights, you can feel relaxed when returning gifts or sale purchases," he explained.

Halifax estimates that Britons spent £12 billion on presents this Christmas.