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The presents have all been unwrapped. Festive displays of seasonal treats have been devoured. The decorations are going back into their boxes for another 11-month hiatus.

As the holiday season winds down and we head toward 2009, there's only one more thing to determine.

What exactly are you going to do with that, uh, unique sweater from Aunt Mildred?

You are appropriately grateful. After all, she didn't have to get you anything.

And when you look at it, sometimes you wish she'd gone that route instead.

But you do know someone who would love that sweater...

Could you?

Would you?

Should you regift it?

There are some who think regifting, the act of giving a gift you're not keen on to another person, is totally tacky. Others deem it completely acceptable.

This writer falls into the latter category, and from the response to my ultra-informal survey, so do many of you.

"I guess I feel that I would rather pass on an item that I'm not crazy about to someone who could really appreciate it than to let the item sit unused or unloved in my closet," Felicia Brown wrote in an e-mail.

She shared this story: "One of my best friends gave me a necklace for my birthday a few years ago that just wasn't me. As she raved and raved about how awesome it was and how she almost kept it for herself, I struggled to picture it around my neck. I smiled graciously and then promptly hid the necklace in my dresser, occasionally trying it on with various outfits just in case I had suddenly changed my style or taste.

"After several rounds of 'maybe it will look good this time,' I wrapped it back up and gave it back to my friend as a surprise when she was feeling down. I knew that I could possibly hurt her feelings by returning the treasure. But ultimately I knew she and the necklace would be much happier together than apart. And you know what? She was thrilled and they have lived happily ever after ever since!"

If you don't love it, give it to someone who will.

But, my nod to regifting comes with one cardinal caveat: Make sure you keep track of who gave you the gift initially. Nothing will induce red cheeks and embarrassment more than regifting that sweater back to Aunt Mildred.

Ten Thousand Villages to celebrate the Andes

Mark those new calenders with this event: Ten Thousand Villages will celebrate the Andes with an in-store celebration Jan. 17.

The event will include authentic Bolivian food and an appearance by Patches the llama.

Gift items from the Andes will be marked 20 percent off that day.

Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit retail store, is at 1564A Highwoods Blvd., off New Garden Road in Greensboro.

Savvy Shoppers unite on the Web! Twitter with me at twitter.com/savvyshopper, network with me on Facebook or come talk shopping on the Bargain Blog at news-record.com.

Do you have a retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or email lanita.withers@news-record.com