Productopia

You smiled sweetly and thanked Aunt Mary for the ugly Christmas sweater that was four sizes too big, but now that the holidays are over, you wonder how fast you can exchange that sweater for something you can actually use. When it comes to unwanted gifts, figuring out the return policies of the numerous retailers can seem like a post-holiday maze of horrors.

Individual stores set different return policies that must be navigated. Most require either a gift receipt or the original receipt for a cash refund. A few will exchange items for in-store credit without a receipt. Online retailers typically want the item shipped back in the original box the item was mailed in and copies of invoices. Trying to figure out what you need to return, within what time frame and the items you need to have on hand can be confusing, but the table below breaks down the basic requirements of some of the more popular retailers. There are many finer details to return policies, so we've also posted a link to each store's specific policies for additional information. Read more

Let's face it - most tablets look pretty much the same. So the only way to set one apart is with a case. Of course, a case also protects a tablet from everyday use and abuse, and some high-end cases even add features such as a Bluetooth keyboard. Here are 6 tablet cases for every personality on your shopping list. Read more

Part of what makes the holiday season so special is the way it treats the senses. There's the taste of holiday favorites (yes, even fruitcake). There's the joy of seeing friends and loved ones. And there's the wonderful cacophony of sound, from Church bells ringing, to carolers singing, to pipers piping and drummers drumming. That makes this a perfect occasion to spread the gift of sound to those you love. From headphones to fill their ears with beautiful music to home-theater speakers to fill their homes with high-octane movie action (without completely emptying your wallet), here are some terrific choices to consider.

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Looking for the perfect gift for the photographer in your life? There are lots of different ways you could go: you could sign them up for a photography class, for example. Or you could get them useful accessories such as memory cards or a case. You can, of course, buy them a new camera, but there are other gadgets that should be on their list. We recommend the best point-and-shoot digital cameras and DSLRs, tablets, smartphones and software for the shutterbug in your life. Read more