Here's Every Major Store's Holiday Return Policy for 2023

Many retailers are offering extended holiday return periods, but be sure to read the fine print, as you'll get shorter windows for certain products.

Updated April 10, 2025

BY:
ELIZABETH HARPER

Contributing Writer

Woman looks unhappy as she opens holiday gift.

UPDATE: The information below was compiled for the holiday 2023 season. Be sure to check specific store policies before initiating a return this holiday season.

If you've found yourself stuck with unwanted gifts from winter holiday celebrations and need to make some returns, it pays to be aware of store return policies. But while retailers are often generous with holiday returns, some shortened their extended return windows for 2023. Others are evaluating the costs of returns and even telling unhappy customers to keep items they ordered online instead of sending them back.

Not all retailers have taken this route during the holiday season, though. And that could mean some returns could be more of a headache — and more of an expense — than usual. If you want hassle-free holiday returns, pay close attention to each retailer's holiday return policy. Also be careful not to make mistakes that might leave you stuck with an unwanted gift.

Here's everything you need to know about making holiday returns, including the 2023 holiday return policies for major retailers.

What You Need to Know About Holiday Returns

How to Return Holiday Gifts

Every store has its own return policy, but typically the process for returning holiday gifts is pretty similar wherever you go. If someone bought the item at a physical retailer, take it back to the customer service counter and present your receipt to process a return or exchange. Be ready to show a photo ID, as well.

SEE ALSO: The Best Gift Card Deals of 2024

What if the person bought the item online? Then contact the retailer with an order number to request a return. They'll usually provide you with shipping instructions and a label to return the product. While the retailer may cover the return shipping, know that some stores only process a return at your cost. You can usually return an item for cash, store credit, or exchange it for another size or color.

Some retailers provide even more return options. For example, last year Walmart began offering curbside returns, so you may not need to go into the store. And Walmart+ customers that pay the InHome fee can get returns picked up from their doorstep. Amazon, meanwhile, allows you to make Amazon returns at Kohl's stores, so you don't have to worry about packing or shipping.

But this "simple" process has a lot of potential caveats, and you should read the fine print of a store's return policy before trying to return any holiday gifts. You also need to be aware that a store's return policy may not apply to third-party merchants who sell through the site. Because of that, you may need to dig for additional return information for Walmart Marketplace sellers or Amazon third-party sellers, for example.

You'll need to know the following information before initiating a return:

How long you have to return an item
How and where to return it
What proof of purchase is required
What the return will cost you (if anything)
Whether the item is returnable at all

For holiday returns, the process can be even more complicated. That's because retailers often have extended holiday return windows for items bought during a particular time frame. And the holiday season purchase windows and return deadlines vary from retailer to retailer.

If you need to make a return, we've got you covered. Let's take a look at the typical return rules.

How Long Do You Have to Return Holiday Items?

Many major retailers offer a more generous return window during the holidays, allowing customers to return holiday purchases well into January. For example, the Walmart holiday return policy for 2025 allows items purchased as early as October 1 of 2025.

Holiday return policies often provide longer windows to return gifts, but not all items are eligible.

How long do you have to make returns the rest of the year? Return policies often let you bring in items for a refund or exchange within 14 to 30 days of purchase, and some retailers offer up to a year to return your items. Expect the average exchange window to be 30 to 90 days after purchase.

Some product categories can have shorter return windows, so it's important to read the fine print. Electronics often have less time for returns, and mobile phones usually have short 2-week windows.

In the end, don't count on a lengthy return window. If you want to return a gift, do it as quickly as you can.

Do You Need a Receipt to Make a Return?

You don't always need a receipt to make a return, but having a standard one or a gift receipt will make the process a lot easier. Without that proof of purchase, you may only be able to get store credit or an exchange rather than a refund.

Sometimes retailers are able to look up purchases based on the card used to pay for the item, or the order number for online orders. But the easiest way to get a refund is to have the receipt.

If you've received a gift you don't want, it's worth asking for the receipt. (And whenever you're giving a gift, it's polite to include a gift receipt, just in case!)

Are There Items You Can't Return?

If an item is clearly used, you probably can't return it unless it's defective in some way. Sometimes even opening the box or removing the tags on a product is enough to make an item unreturnable — or at least make the return process more complicated.

Many retailers won't accept used items and may charge restocking fees for open-box products. If you want an easy holiday return, don't open the box, remove the tags, or use the item before returning it.

Also, don't expect to be able to return items such as gift cards, custom or personalized items, seasonal products, perishable goods, and final sale items. Whenever you're buying gifts, look at the store's return policy to be sure your gift recipient can return or exchange them if they want to do so.

Does Returning Items Cost Anything?

Returning items may come at a cost, but not always. If you're returning an item by shipping it back to the retailer, you may be responsible for shipping costs, which are typically deducted from your refund. You also probably won't be getting the original shipping charges refunded either, unless the retailer made a mistake.

Be prepared to pay for shipping when returning items by mail; retailers usually deduct those charges from your refund.

What if the item is from a retailer with a local store? Then you can often avoid shipping fees by returning the item in-store instead of shipping it back.

Some products may have a restocking fee you need to pay when you return them. While the items that incur restocking fees vary by retailer, high-end tech products like smartphones and open-box products commonly have them. When restocking fees apply, they're typically 15% of the purchase price, though they can vary. So check the fine print to see if restocking fees will apply to your return and how much they'll cost.

Who Has the Best Return Policy?

Costco is one retailer that's quite generous about the items they'll accept. In fact, the Costco return policy includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee on most items. And Costco customer service will even help you get warranty service or technical support on certain items that don't have that guarantee.

Sam's Club, Bath & Body Works, and Yankee Candle also have generous return policies. They allow you to return most items at any time. Check out more info on their policies below.

Top Tips for Easy Holiday Returns

You really only need to remember two things when you want to make your Christmas or other holiday returns hassle-free:

Don't open the box or remove the tags
Keep the receipt (or gift receipt)

Still read the return policy and follow any return procedures and deadlines the retailer has. But if you stick to these two rules, then most returns should be pretty straightforward. And even if you did open the box or you lost the receipt, you can probably still make a return. It's just likely to be a bit more difficult.

Holiday Return Policies for 2023

Need details on a specific store's holiday return policy for 2023? Check out our list of return policies for Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and other major retailers below. Just remember to always examine the fine print, because the standard return policy usually doesn't apply to all products or product categories.

Store	Holiday Return Deadlines
6pm	30 days to return after purchase
Adorama	Purchases from 10/30 to 12/25 can be returned until 2/1; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Amazon	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/31 can be returned until 1/31; Apple purchases from 11/1 to 12/31 can be returned through 1/15; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Apple	Purchases received from 11/3 to 12/25 were returnable through 1/8; otherwise 14 days from purchase
Bath & Body Works	Unlimited — return at any time as long as products are in new, gently used, or defective condition
Bed Bath & Beyond	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/31 can be returned until 1/31 or within 30 days of delivery — whichever is later
Best Buy	Purchases from 10/27 to 12/30 were returnable until 1/13; otherwise 15 days from purchase. Activatable devices must be returned within 14 days.
Bloomingdale's	90 days from purchase
Coach	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/16 can be returned through 1/15; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Columbia	Purchases from 10/16 can be returned until 1/31 or within 60 days of purchase — whichever is greater
Converse	Online purchases from 11/1 to 1/4 can be returned within 60 days online or 45 days to a store
Costco	Unlimited — return most items at any time. 90 days from purchase for electronics. Mobile phone return windows vary by carrier.
Crate & Barrel	Purchases from 10/15 through 12/25 can be returned through 1/31, excluding furniture; within 30 days of receipt for everything else
Duluth Trading Co.	One year from purchase. Defective items may be returned beyond the return window, with receipt.
Finish Line	45 days from purchase
Foot Locker	45 days from purchase
GameStop	Purchases made from 11/19 to 12/24 were returnable through 1/13 with a receipt
Home Depot	90 days from purchase
J.Crew	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/9 were returnable until 1/9; otherwise 30 days from purchase
JBL	Purchases made from 11/1 to 12/31 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Jos. A. Bank	90 days from purchase
Kohl's	Premium electronics, watches, and Sephora at Kohl's items purchased after 11/1 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise items can be returned within 30-60 days
L.L.Bean	One year from purchase
Lowe's	90 days from purchase for most items
lululemon	Purchases from 10/16 to 12/24 are returnable until 1/23
Macy's	Purchases from 10/2 can be returned until 1/31
Madewell	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/7 were returnable until 1/7; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Marshalls	Purchases from 10/8 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/25 for in-store orders or until 2/4 for online orders; otherwise 30 days from purchase for in-store orders or 40 days from purchase for online orders
Microsoft	Most purchases can be returned within 60 days
Mikasa	90 days from purchase for most items; 30 days from purchase for final sale or clearance items
Neiman Marcus	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/16 can be returned until 1/15; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Nike	60 days from purchase
Nordstrom	All returns are considered on a case-by-case basis
Nordstrom Rack	Purchases from 10/16 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/15; otherwise 30 days from in-store purchase or 40 days for online purchases
Office Depot and OfficeMax	Return window varies from 14 days to 90 days, depending on product
Old Navy	Purchases from 10/15 to 12/24 can be returned through 1/15, or 30 days from delivery date (online purchases) or date of purchase (in-store purchases); whichever date is later applies
Origins	60 days from purchase
Petco	Within 60 days of purchase
PetSmart	60 days from purchase
PUMA	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/25 can be returned until 2/8; otherwise 45 days from purchase
QVC	Purchases until 12/24 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from receipt of package
Ralph Lauren	Purchases from 10/17 to 12/22 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from shipment
Sam's Club	Unlimited — return most items at any time; otherwise 14 to 90 days depending on product
Sephora	Purchases from 10/27 to 12/1 are returnable until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from purchase
shopDisney	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/25 can be returned until 1/25 or within 30 days of shipment — whichever is later
Sierra	Purchases from 10/8 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/25 for in-store orders or until 2/4 for online orders; otherwise 30 days from purchase for in-store orders or 40 days from purchase for online orders
	Electronic or furniture products purchased between 11/12 and 12/24 were returnable until 1/14; otherwise 14 to 30 days from purchase for most items. Office supplies can be returned at any time.
Target	90 days for most items; electronics and entertainment items purchased from 10/1 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/24; Apple products purchased from 10/1 to 12/24 were returnable until 1/9; mobile phones purchased from 10/1 to 12/24 were returnable until 1/8. RedCard members get an additional 30-day return window for most items.
The Children's Place	Purchases from 11/1 to 11/30 can be returned through 1/15; otherwise 45 days from purchase
Tory Burch	Items purchased in November were returnable through 1/7; otherwise 30 days from receipt of item
Ugg	Purchases on or after 10/15 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Under Armour	Purchases from 11/1 to 12/31 have a 90-day return window; otherwise 60 days from purchase
Vera Bradley	Purchases from 10/1 to 12/1 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 60 days from purchase
Walmart	Purchases from 10/1 to 12/31 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 90 days from purchase
West Elm	Purchases from 10/15 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from receipt of item or 7 days for quick-ship upholstery items
Williams-Sonoma	Purchases from 10/15 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/31; otherwise 30 days from purchase
Yankee Candle	Unlimited — return at any time
Zales	Purchases from 10/19 to 12/24 can be returned until 1/24; otherwise 30 days from purchase

Want more helpful shopping info? Give us a follow on Facebook and TikTok!