We've all gotten not-so-great gifts at some point in our lives. Whether it doesn't fit, it's something you already own, or simply don't like, you know the crushing disappointment that comes with excitedly opening a present only to find that your aunt has gotten you yet another hideous sweater.

While you can't control what you get this holiday, you can control what you give. It just so happens, that gifts most people return are "universal return" items. According to experts most of the time these gifts end up in a Texas-sized, "take back" pile the following tips may do you some good.

Several shopping experts keep track of the type of gift returned each year and release their stats to the public. This is good for you and me because who wants to spend time shopping for gifts people are going to return?  Pretty much nobody!

surveys to reveal the 10 most returned presents of 2019—so you can avoid them. Here's the full list, plus our recommendations for what to gift instead.

Please note the prices and stats may have changed since this article was published in 2022. However, a lot of the return items are pretty much the same year after year. So, here they are: The Top 10 Most Returned Gifts In Texas

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1. Shoes & Clothes

Shoes are a great present—unless you get the wrong size or style which, according to the survey, is all too common. Save yourself (and your giftee) the trouble by opting for one of the fashion gifts that everyone is obsessed with this year: a Fjallraven backpack. Experts favor backpacks for casual use because it's as functional as it is fashionable.

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Brian via Airbnb
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2. Kitchen Gadgets/Appliances

While appliances like a toaster or food processor can be a good gift for newlyweds or first-time homeowners, other people may not be as excited to see them under the tree (after all, how many waffle makers does one person need?). For the foodies and home cooks in your life, experts subject you get a unique, all-in-one appliance.

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3. Video games

If you have a gamer on your list, it can be tempting to stock up on Fortnite and Mario Kart, but you run the risk of giving them titles they already have. The safer—and more exciting—solution? A new tablet for playing all their favorite games. If you have deep pockets get an entire video game console, according to experts, the most popular ones this year are the Nintendo Switch, the Sony PlayStation 4 Pro, and the Microsoft Xbox One X.

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4. Toys

There are several reasons toys end in the "take back" pile. They usually get brought back after Christmas because they're too big or small, for the wrong age, or if it's a popular toy there's a good chance they have a duplicate. leading to a desire to exchange them for something more suitable or get a refund

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5. Candles

What smells just as good as a candle but lasts way longer? An essential oil diffuser is better and safer say experts. Some can run for 11 hours straight along with lights that change color for added ambiance. That beats a plain old candle any day.

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6. Adult Athletic Apparel & Gear

Workout clothes (like the wildly popular Lululemon leggings) are great. Workout clothes that don't fit, however, are not. Avoid any sizing issues by skipping the apparel and getting your fit friends something else they can use during their next sweat session—like a fitness tracker. Get a Fitbit instead. They'll love tracking calories, and monitoring their heart rate and most of them have voice controls and Amazon Alexa integration.

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7. Tools

Tools often get returned after a lot because they're given as gifts by people who may not have known the recipient's specific needs or skill level. Meaning the tool can be too high-tech for the recipient to operate. Then, of course, they do not want another screwdriver set.

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8. Kids Clothes

The problem with gifting clothes for kids is that it's all too easy to get the wrong size. A better gift for parents of toddlers is a sippy or straw cup. You can never have too many, because they're always getting left behind at grandma's house at the restaurant, or at the babysitter.

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9. Glassware

Instead of buying your friends or family yet another set of glassware, buy them the stuff that goes inside a glass. A.k.a. wine. And not just one bottle of wine. It's plentiful, at any grocery store or convenience store, and you can get a decent bottle for about forty bucks.

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10. Makeup

Trying to buy makeup for yourself can be a struggle. So trying to buy it for someone else? Nearly impossible. Rather than trying—and likely failing—to match your friend's exact shade of foundation, give her a beauty gift card to her favorite store.

According to the shopping and product, stats and research came from the following experts Reviewed.comRedstagfulfillment.org, iconnect007.com, and RTDNA.org. By the way, ABC News warns a lot of retailers have changed their return policy. So, you may want to read it before you head to the stores.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT TRYING TO MAKE A RETURN

According to the shopping and product, stats and research came from the following experts Reviewed.comRedstagfulfillment.org, iconnect007.com, and RTDNA.org. By the way, ABC News warns a lot of retailers have changed their return policy. So, you may want to read it before you head to the stores.

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