To make gift giving and returns as easy as possible, the Georgia Retail Association is providing the following tips to ease the stress of returning gifts after the holidays:

1. Know the retailer's return policy before you buy. Most retailers have return policies prominently displayed, especially at this time of year. Gift-givers should read and remember them. If policies are not clearly displayed, ask a sales associate or a manager to explain them to you.

2. Save and file all receipts! Re- ceipts are still the key to hassle-free returns. Some retailers will allow consumers to exchange merchandise without a receipt, but without a receipt, a retailer may only provide merchandise credit for the lowest markdown-price at which the item was sold during the holiday season. Make sure to provide the recipient with a gift receipt to save hassle after the holidays.

3. Request gift receipts when buying for others and include those receipts with the gifts. Gift receipts do not have the sale price on them, so unless the gift recipient returns the item, he or she will never know what you spent. It also eliminates the need for you to return the gift and reselect another one as a replacement.

4. Provide all original packaging and all parts (including tags) when giving a gift. Some retailers won't accept returns unless the item is in its original package. If you plan to take back a gift when it is unwrapped, resist the urge to open it or play with it. No one wants to buy someone else's merchandise.

5. Don't wear a gift or an item that you have bought for yourself. It may prevent the retailer from reselling the item and thereby increase costs for everyone. And besides, do you want to buy "new" merchandise that someone else has worn?

6. Be patient. Remember, the week after Christmas is one of the busiest weeks of the retail year. With people's frustration high and tolerance low, be patient when returning merchandise.

About The Georgia Retail Association: The Georgia Retail Association was founded in 1961. It is a 501 (c) (6) not-for-profit membership association representing hundreds Georgia's retail businesses. It serves as the voice for retail business in Georgia and has protected Georgia's retailers from unreasonable taxes, fees, regulations and legislation.