You know that old saying that’s on everyone’s lips at Christmastime: “It’s better to give than to receive.” Still, most of us rather enjoy getting gifts. But sometimes we get gifts that we won’t use, or can’t wear, or just aren’t particularly fond of.

Our first thought is usually to return the unwanted gift to the store, and that’s generally the best course of action. If you have the receipt, you can usually get the money paid for the gift back. And if not, most stores will allow you to exchange for something else.

But sometimes returning a gift is not a desirable option. Sometimes items go on sale, and if you don’t have the receipt, you will only get the reduced credit for it. Friends and relatives who live far away might send you a gift purchased from a store that doesn’t have a location in your area. The item might have been purchased through mail order, and you would have to pay return shipping in order to get an exchange or refund. And if the only option offered is an exchange, maybe you just want the cash instead.

In cases like these, you might feel that you’re stuck with a gift you don’t want. But that’s not necessarily true. You could always sell it to recover part or all of the cost. Here are some places to try selling your unwanted gifts.

* eBay – You can sell almost anything on eBay. You probably won’t get full retail price unless it’s a very rare item, but most things that are brand new bring a reasonable price. Listing fees are low, so you have very little to lose by trying.

Consignment shops –
If you’ve received a gift of clothing or furniture that you don’t want, a consignment shop might be your best bet. Items in these shops often sell for slightly less than they would in a retail store. The store owner will keep a percentage of the selling price, but in most cases the fee is quite reasonable. And if your item doesn’t sell, you don’t pay a dime.

Flea markets –
The flea market is a great place to sell new items, but unless you already rent a booth for other purposes, it’s rarely worth it to do so for just an item or two. If you have a friend who sells at a flea market, ask if she could try to sell the item for you. Offer her a percentage, and let her know whether the price is negotiable (and if so, how far).

Classified ads –
If you’re not in a big hurry to sell the item, you could place an ad in the classified section of your local paper or a trading post publication. Trading post papers are generally less expensive to place ads in, and they are geared more toward people who are looking to buy. Newspaper ads, on the other hand, may reach a larger audience.

Selling a gift you’ve received doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate the sentiment behind it. It just means that you can’t use it and are being practical. So don’t be afraid to turn unwanted gifts into extra cash. After all, cash is something we could all use a little more of.