The Christmas craziness has calmed down, but Dec. 26 brings a new kind of madness: The rush to return gifts.

If you received a sweater two sizes too large, duplicate toys or DVDs, or a decoration that doesn't quite "fit" your home, you're likely considering if it's appropriate to exchange or return gifts. You aren't alone. The Better Business Bureau estimates that one-third of Christmas gifts are returned each year.Retailers both large and small are bracing for this surge in returns and exchanges, in the hopes that the interaction will be a positive experience.Before you drive to the store in hopes of making an exchange, consider the following:Can this gift be returned?"Record and music store policies are the same, no matter where you go," said Jim "Trooper" Pompa, the owner of Soundcheck Records in Jim Thorpe. "The music has to be sealed, and you need the receipt to get your money back.""We're easy to get along with. We aim to please," he added.This policy rang true with many retailers in our area: If the item is still in its packaging and in new, sellable condition, you'll likely be able to exchange or outright return the item for cash.Customized and made-to-order items are more difficult to return, although individual store policies vary.Do you have the receipt?Gifts with an original or gift receipt are the easiest to return. You'll likely receive cash in the amount that was paid for the item, or in some cases store credit.If you do not have a receipt, most stores will offer store credit for the gift. Don't be surprised if you only receive a portion of the current purchase price, as many retailers value returns without a receipt at the lowest-offered price within the past one to three months which includes any Black Friday or holiday sales."A receipt makes returns easy," said Jane Heckman, co-owner of the Quilted Crow in Lehighton. "We can refund the money to their credit card, or give them cash back if they paid cash. If they do not have a receipt and it was a gift, we will do store credit."It's possible for some stores to look up sales transactions without a receipt, although you'll likely need the buyer's credit card or rewards card. A few retailers are also able to track sales using a name or phone number."It's helpful if the person making a return can give us the name of the buyer so we can look it up in our computer," said Heckman. "We can see if the item was actually bought at our store, and how much was paid for it."When was the item purchased?While many retail stores offer just a short period (as little as 15-30 days, in some cases) to return items, this window is often lengthened during the holiday season. Check the store's policy on returning gifts received during the holiday season."Items purchased at Toys "R" Us on or after Sept. 1, 2014, may be returned through Jan. 24, 2015, if accompanied by a sales or gift receipt," said Linda Connors, a Toys "R" Us representative."It's our goal to make shopping with us a seamless experience for our customers, and that includes hassle-free returns after the holidays," saidIf the item you wish to return is electronic, don't delay. Many retail stores offer a much shorter window of time to return or exchange electronics, with the clock starting immediately after the holidays.For example, Connors noted that Toys "R" Us accepts the return of gift electronics such as netbooks, tablets and eReaders until Jan. 9. That's just two weeks after Christmas.Is the item damaged or opened?Most stores won't allow returns of opened or used items, although some will make an exception for gently opened and inspected items.Of course, if you only discover that an item is damaged upon opening the packaging, tell the cashier this when you attempt to return it and be ready to point out the defect. You'll likely be offered a replacement of an identical product.