How to Make Money Selling Unwanted Gifts After Christmas
Keep more from unwanted gifts with clear-fee clothing listings, smart card resale, and safe payments.
Sell unworn clothing on a resale marketplace and convert unwanted gift cards through a gift-card buyer. List quickly with clear photos and accept payment only inside the platform. A resale marketplace is a site or app where individuals list used items for buyers.
Sort gifts by type, check condition, and choose the channel with the clearest payout.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
Sell unworn clothing where fees are clear
Keep tags on, fold neatly, and photograph flaws in daylight. Buyers pay more for measurements, fabric content, and honest condition notes. According to Poshmark, sellers pay $2.95 on sales under $15 and 20% on sales of $15 or more, with payment processing and a prepaid shipping label included.
See Poshmark's getting started guide for details. Price with that cut in mind. Ship fast and use the provided label.
Quick shipment brings faster payment and fewer disputes.
Turn gift cards into cash
Check the balance first and keep the card number private. Cards for large national brands usually bring higher offers than narrow store cards. According to CardCash, it buys unwanted gift cards for up to 92% of face value and pays by check, ACH, PayPal or virtual Mastercard, usually within 1-2 business days.
See CardCash's sell page for details. Compare that payout with keeping the card for planned spending.
- Confirm balance on the brand site
- Enter exact value and card type
- Choose payment method before you accept
Will selling trigger tax paperwork?
Most one-time sellers of used gifts stay far below reporting levels. Keep a simple list of what you sold, for what amount, and any platform fees. According to the IRS, marketplaces and payment apps must file Form 1099-K only when a seller exceeds both $20,000 and 200 transactions.
See IRS newsroom FAQs on the threshold for details. That threshold was restored retroactively by recent legislation. Form 1099-K is an information return that reports payment-card and third-party-network payments.
Save sale confirmations until tax season in case questions arise.
How do you avoid gift-card payment tricks?
Never share gift-card numbers or PINs to pay a buyer, fee, or shipping charge. Real buyers pay you, not the reverse. According to the FTC, only scammers demand gift-card numbers or PINs as payment.
See FTC consumer advice on gift-card scams for what to do. The agency directs victims to contact the card issuer, keep the card and receipt, and report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Move chatty buyers who push for off-platform payment back inside the marketplace.
Stop the deal if someone resists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I clean clothes before listing?
Yes. Wash or steam per the care label, then note any wear, pilling, or missing belts and buttons.
What if a gift card has a small balance left?
Use it for groceries, coffee, or household goods first, then sell or donate only if a balance remains.