Stores can legally refuse to accept unwanted clothing Read: Online shopping tips Watch: Gillian's report

But what are your rights when it comes to returning that horrible jumper from great aunt Bessie?

Unfortunately you do not have a right to your money back simply because you don't like something or have changed your mind.

Luckily though, many retailers do give refunds out of goodwill.

Time limit

But as this is at their discretion, they are free to impose conditions, such as a 14 day time limit.

This can be problematic when Christmas gifts are bought several weeks in advance.

But many high street stores have policies of leniency over the festive period.

Gift receipt

Those buying from Argos after 29th October should ask for a special gift receipt which allows returns to be made up to 30 days after the big day.

Currys will accept items until 14th January provided they were bought after 13th November and are unopened and with receipt.

M&S has a standard return period of 90 days, while Boots has no time limit on returns so long as a receipt is presented. Customers without a receipt can get an exchange, but not a refund.

Legal rights

Your legal rights when an item is faulty are altogether stronger.

When a product is sold, it has to meet three criteria.

It is notable that there is no fixed time limit for returning faulty goods.

The law does however say that it should be done within a 'reasonable' time, and in practice, the sooner the better.

Proof of purchase

And to make things simple for the consumer, it is the retailer and not the manufacturer which is responsible for sorting out any problems.

The law does not require goods to be accompanied by a receipt, although some sort of proof of purchase is needed.

A credit card slip or bank statement should be sufficient in most circumstances.

Retailers should not display signs stating 'no refunds' - and doing so does not alter your rights, as laid out by the Sale of Goods Act 1979.

Items sold in a sale are covered by exactly the same rules.

Credit card

A separate law gives extra protection when you pay by credit card.

If a single item costs more than �100, then the Consumer Credit Act says the credit card company has the same obligations as the retailer.

This could come in handy should the shop or online store go out of business.