Principles.

Was the address label typed or handwritten?

Sometimes I've had purchases from e-bay packed with newspaper.

Got a Fortnum and Mason's hamper like that once. Remained a mystery but we ate it anyway

So what is it? Or is this a hypothetical question?

Is it something that you would want or is it totally unsuitable? It would only be meant for you if it seems appropriate.
I would either give it to a charity shop or keep it and make a donation to charity. I could then make use of it with a clear conscience.
I am a keen Ebayer and have many postal deliveries, but I can never remember what the parcel is until I open it! Did my C. shopping on line yesterday so have got about 20 coming soon!

Which idea, Anya, checking the newspaper for clues or suspecting the student son?

That's a very clever idea Elegran

Check the Amazon Scam thread. Might be relevant.

And if I had a son away at Uni, he would be suspect number one for buying something that he thought would just suit his mother, and padding the parcel with heavy newspaper that would cost twice as much to post as light bubble wrap.

I'd have a good look at the newspaper to see if it was local to somewhere specific. That might give a clue to who had sent it. If not, I'd pack it all up again and stow it away until after Christmas. Meanwhile I'd ask around friends and family and keep eyes and ears open for any hints that it was a gift from one of them.

If no-one had claimed responsibility by then, and there was no way of tracing the source to return it, I'd either use it with a clear conscience or give it away.

Yes,keep it boxed up,and wait and see.

I think it very odd if newspaper is used in the packaging - I have not had anything packed with newspaper from a bone fide shop - even when OH orders car parts they come in other packaging.

Tell us more!

As you cannot return it, I'd put it in a drawer for the moment and wait to see if the penny drops or someone asks about their 'gift'

Must be too early in the mor ing for me, when i read PRINCIPLES i thought it was about the shop.Think i need more sleep

The thoughts about it being a gift could be accurate ruby but I think it's unlikely to have come directly from a supplier if the packing is newspaper. Could it be from an individual who has forgotten to put their greeting inside the box? If it is something that could be a gift then the likely sender could come to mind. You really can't return it if there is no indication who sent it. So a mystery forever maybe?

Doubt it is a scam, sounds to me like someone has bought you a gift and had it sent straight to you hence there being no invoice in the package.

What is it? Sounds as if it might be a scam? The invoice might follow. We had something similar with a printer ink company at work, and of course we didn't pay. I can't imagine they would target individuals though. Just keep it safe for now, see what happens.

Could it be a gift from someone?

Given the absence of information it would be pretty much impossible to return the item. I think I would probably keep it (unused) for, say, three months in case its providence came to light, then take it to a charity shop. Of course, it does depend a little bit on what the item is; a new frying pan is a good charity shop donation, but a sex toy might not be.