Here's what to do with all your unwanted Christmas presents

We need to talk about how much pressure people get placed under when it comes to opening Christmas presents.

Your gift-givers eyes on you, waiting patiently but eagerly, scanning every square inch of your face for some semblance of a natural reaction to the gift.

But you can't hide your natural reaction though, can you? You know that this person opposite you, their gaze following your fingers as you tare at the wrapping paper, put thought and effort into giving you this gift, and you're only going to be able to muster bitter disappointment or pleasant surprise.

And neither of those are the kind of reactions your gift-giver wants to see. Basically, what we're saying is that everyone should open their Christmas presents in a darkened room, alone, out of sight of any other living being.

Anyway, you don't have to actually keep any unwanted Christmas presents - unless it's some horrific shirt your nan is going to expect to see you wear at some kind of family occasion. Here are some ideas as to what you could do instead.

1. Sell, sell, sell - and use the cash to better yourself.

For one, you can sell them and buy something that you really need. New research from eBay has found that 29 December will be the best day for people to re-sell any Christmas gifts that aren't right for them and make self-improvement purchases ahead of the new year. So much so that they've dubbed the date 'Boxing Up Day'. Clever.

eBay says that households across the UK will receive more than £850 million worth of gifts that aren't right for them and that one in five will use the money they make from re-selling Christmas gifts to fund their New Year goals.

Apparently the biggest motivators for self-improvement purchase decisions are weight loss (30 per cent) followed by stress relief (12 per cent) and making new friends (10 per cent).

2. Help a food bank.

That being said, you could always sell your unwanted gifts and use the money to donate to the homeless, or maybe even a food bank.

Food banks have been in the news a lot this year and it doesn't look like the demand will be subsiding particularly soon.

Hunger charity The Trussell Trust, for example, let's you search for your nearest food bank and also tells you exactly what goods it needs the most.

3. Donate to the less fortunate.

Giving to charity in general is usually a pretty good idea - your local charity shop, for example, will be glad of any donations in the new year. And most major charities run festive appeals. You could even look at charities like Salvation Amy and Goodwill who accept donations of unwanted toys to go directly to less fortunate children.

Hospitals, doctors surgeries, daycares and shelters will all gladly take unwanted toys and gifts for the needy, too.

4. Save them to re-gift throughout the year.

The world don't move to the beat of just one drum - what might be right for you, might not be right for some. And vice versa.

Basically, you might not like something you've been handed, but it could be perfect for one of your friends or family.

Times can be tricky - especially right after Christmas - so it never hurts to tighten our belts and make some savings as and when we can.

More: This man and his friend gave £2,000 worth of Christmas presents to homeless people in London.

More: 9 times Christmas lights went very, very wrong.