Many retailers' deadlines are in early January, so if you want to return presents, it's best to do so now before you get stuck with items you won't use.

If only everyone could receive perfect holiday gifts that they didn't already own (and that the giver got a great deal on) — but that's wishful thinking. When you're getting ready to return gifts — maybe while the After Christmas sales are in full swing — it's important to familiarize yourself with a store's return policy to make the process as easy as possible.

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Read on for the essential info on store returns around the holidays, from the fine print to look for to the specific policies you can expect from retailers.

What to Look for in a Return Policy

Not all return policies are equal. Here are the questions you should ask to identify those that stand out.

How Much Time Do You Have to Return Gifts?

Yes, you're on the clock. You can't just sit on an item for six months, then walk into a store and expect to get your money back. Retailers will commonly give you at least 30 days to make a return, and some are more generous. (Of course, the more time you have, the better.) Certain stores give you 60 or even 90 days, but there's usually a cutoff for getting cash back — and you may have to settle for a gift card.

Watch for specific product-return dates for purchases made in November and December.

Also, as shown below, some stores expand their return policies during the holiday season. So watch for specific return dates for purchases made in November and December. Apple, for example, typically gives you 14 days for returns. If you order your items online between November 15 and December 25, though, you have till January 8, 2020, to return them.

Is a Receipt Required for a Product Return?

Hopefully your Christmas delivery came with a receipt — that'll help! If you don't have your receipt handy, you may still be able to return an item in exchange for store credit. But some retailers will reject your return altogether.

What Items Can't Be Returned or Exchanged?

The list varies by retailer, but super-exclusive items, used items, and final sale products probably won't make the cut. So it's best to read the fine print or ask to confirm the return policy before you attempt a return.

Will You Need to Provide Identification?

Some retailers request a valid form of ID when you make a return. Why so? (Hint: It has nothing to do with who you are.) Those who shoplift will be less inclined to return an item for cash if their name is attached to the transaction. Plus, it helps retailers track irregular return patterns.

52 Stores' Holiday Return Policies for 2019

Store	Holiday Return Policy	Notes
6pm	Deadline is 2/29/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19	See details here
Adorama	Deadline is 2/1/20 for purchases made from 11/4-12/25/19	See details here
Amazon	Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19	Must be shipped by Amazon
Apple	Deadline is 1/8/20 for purchases received from 11/15-12/25/19	See details here
Bath & Body Works	"Return anything, anytime for any reason"	See details here
Best Buy	Deadline is 1/14/20 for most items purchased from 11/1-12/31/19	See details here
Bloomingdale's	Return within 365 days of purchase	See details here
Coach	Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made beginning on 11/13/19	See details here
Cole Haan	Deadline is 1/7/20 for purchases made from 11/17-12/18/19	See details here
Columbia	Deadline is 60 days from shipping date	See details here
Converse	Return purchases made from 11/1/19-1/6/20 within 60 days	See details here
Crate & Barrel	Standard policy applies; time frame varies by item type	See details here
Duluth Trading	Return within one year of purchase	See details here
Finish Line	Deadline is 2/18/20 for purchases made from 11/18/19-1/1/20	See details here
Foot Locker	Return within 45 days of shipment date	See details here
Fry's	Deadline is 1/14/20 for purchases made from 11/29-12/24/19	See details here
GameStop	Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/24/19	See details here
Guess	Return within 45 days for purchases made from 11/28-12/15/19	See details here
JBL	Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/15-12/31/19	See details here
Jomashop	Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made from 11/4-12/15/19	See details here
Jos. A. Bank	Return within 90 days of purchase	See details here
Kohl's	Deadline is 1/31/20 for premium electronics purchased from 11/1-12/25/19	See details here
L.L.Bean	Return within one year of purchase	See details here
Macy's	Deadline is 1/8/20 or 1/31/20 for select purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19	See details here
Madewell	Deadline is 1/10/20 for purchases made from 11/25-12/10/19	See details here
Marshalls	Deadline is 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/13-12/24/19	See details here
Microsoft Store	Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 10/1-12/31/19	See details here
Mikasa	Return within 90 days of purchase	See details here
ModCloth	Return by 1/31/20 for refund or 2/28/20 for credit for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19	See details here
Neiman Marcus	Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/25/19	See details here
Nike	Return purchases made from 11/1/19-1/6/20 within 60 days	See details here
Nordstrom	Returns eligible on a case-by-case basis	See details here
Origins	Standard policy applies	See details here
Overstock.com	Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19	See details here
Petco	Return within 60 days of purchase	See details here
PUMA	Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 10/14-12/17/19	See details here
Ralph Lauren	Deadline is 2/1/20 for purchases made from 11/13-12/24/19	See details here
shopDisney	Deadline is 1/18/20 for purchases made from 11/7-12/18/19	See details here
Sierra	Deadline is 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/13-12/25/19	See details here
Staples	Deadline is 1/11/20 for purchases made from 11/17-12/24/19	Applies to electronic and furniture products
T.J.Maxx	Deadline is 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/13-12/24/19	See details here
Target	Select purchases made from 11/1-12/25/19 have 15 or 30 days to be returned	Refund period starts on 12/26/19
The Children's Place	Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made from 11/1-11/30/19	See details here
Tory Burch	Deadline is 1/10/20 for purchases made in November 2019	See details here
Ugg	Return within 30 days of purchase	See details here
Under Armour	Return within 60 days of purchase	See details here
Vera Bradley	Return within 60 days of purchase	See details here
Walmart	Deadline is 1/10/20 or 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/24-12/25/19	Marketplace items are excluded
West Elm	Return within seven or 30 days, depending on type of purchase	See details here
Williams-Sonoma	Return within seven or 30 days, depending on type of purchase	See details here
Yankee Candle	Standard policy applies	See details here
Zales	Return within 30 days (watches) or 60 days (jewelry)	See details here

Readers, how often do you return holiday gifts? Let us know in the comments below!

Time Is Running Out to Return Gifts