Let's face it, at one time or another, most people have received a gift they either don't like or don't know what to do with. Whether you already have something similar or the gift just isn’t suitable, these items can be left to gather dust in the back of the closet.

For many people, when they receive a gift that doesn't suit them, the typical solution is to keep it and not say anything. If they want to avoid hurting the feelings of the person who gave them the present, they might feel like exchanging or re-gifting the item isn't being appreciative.

Recent US survey results have shown that 45% of US respondents would keep a gift that they didn't like and say nothing. 29% of US respondents said that they'd exchange the gift themselves and say nothing. Exchanging a gift is dependent on knowing where the gift was bought from and getting hold of a receipt – which is easier said than done if you are looking to avoid letting the person who gave you the gift know.

If you find yourself in the situation where you've received an unwanted gift, then it's important to have a plan of action. If you don't feel comfortable exchanging a gift that doesn’t work for you, consider some other options.

First and foremost, make sure you've thanked the person who gave you the gift. Whether the present is a hit or a miss, the fact that someone has taken the time to think of you and buy a present is a nice thought, so even if you don't appreciate the gift you can appreciate the gesture.

Instead of throwing out gifts, consider donating them or hosting your very own swap party. You may find that many of your friends and family members are in similar positions and struggling to cope with holiday expenses. As such, exchanging gifts at a swap party is not only a great way to re-gift any unwanted items, but it's also economical and eco-friendly. The Queen of chat shows Oprah Winfrey indulges in the practice and has even championed the idea on her show in the past - proving that swap parties are still a great way to make use of items or gifts that might have gone unused in the past.

Start by inviting a group of friends over for a party, explaining to everyone the terms of the gift exchange. Next, look through your closet or attic for any items that are unworn or unused and consider who might benefit from receiving them. Just because you don't suit a style of clothing doesn't mean someone else in the room won't look great in it, or might want for someone who would, so don't be afraid to get creative.

Re-gifting smartly does still take some planning, so even though you aren't necessarily purchasing these items, choosing a gift for someone specifically does show that you've put some thought into the gesture.

Another advantage of swap parties is that you don't have to feel guilty about re-gifting, since everyone else in the room is doing it too. Instead, you can feel confident knowing the gifts that would otherwise go untouched are being appreciated by others who can make use of them.

If the aforementioned online surveys are any indication, you might not be making full use of any unwanted gifts you've ever received - swap parties could be an ideal way around this conundrum.

Sean Burke writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.