It may only be Aug. 18, but it’s never too early to get crackin’ on your holiday shopping. While some of you may operate well under pressure, I need to start thinking about it now. Even if I don’t buy the presents right away, it makes me feel less desperate because at least I know what’s out there.

This year, I may go all-out and get super organized, making friends and family fill out this cute vital stats sheet designed by Made in England (and available to download for free). Yes, you might come across as a little anal, but calling your sister on Dec. 19 to ask for her shoe size kind of ruins the surprise. [Made In England]

I was going through my jewelry box the other morning trying to find a pair of earrings, and I came across a couple pieces of jewelry ex-boyfriends had given me while we were dating. I haven't worn either of the items in years. Maybe I've felt I shouldn't because we're not together anymore, or because I didn't want to be reminded of the relationships every time I put on a necklace. Now, however, I feel there's enough distance between me and these relationships to wear the ex-jewelry without feeling too weird. But is it inappropriate to do so?

I have always been stumped about what to do with presents from exes. I have never been engaged so I haven’t had to deal with any seriously valuable or sentimental jewelry, but I have a couple of rocks that I just wasn’t sure what to do with. I think you should always offer to give presents of value back, that’s just the polite thing to do. But, if the dude says he wants you to have it, what else can a girl do but keep it? However, if the dude was a total bastard, then keeping the bling and booby-trapping his apartment is totally legit. Not that I have ever done that of course, just throwing the possibility out there…Anyway, I am not terribly sentimental, but sometimes (and I really do just mean sometimes as I look at my bracelet) a piece of jewelry reminds me of things I would much rather forget. But what do you do with that annoying Tiffany heart necklace? You can’t just throw it out? You could give it away, but it was so pricey it tugs my heart and wallet strings to get nothing in return. You could give it to a friend, but learn from my own personal awkward-Olympics experience, it’s really uncomfortable when you see her wearing what your dude gave you. Luckily for our repression, denial and wallets, Out Of Your Life.com is an easy way to pawn off gifts from your ex for cash.

The Obamas went to Europe, and they got (and gave) more than crappy souvenir T-shirts from all of the countries they visited. Barack and Michelle got some flack for what they gave British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his family when they came to Washington last month, so did their gift-giving improve?  Keep reading to see how the Presidential presents stack up.

Be it due to forgetfulness, a last-minute date, or financial strains, people sometimes can get stuck in a last minute rush to get a quick, meaningful Valentine’s Day gift. If this is you, don’t be hard on yourself, unless you really didn’t care. Read on for last-minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your true love. The quickest ideas are listed first for convenience. If you have no gift wrap, use aluminum foil. It’s pretty and most people have some. And it doesn’t even require tape.

Divorce is one life event that isn’t typically celebrated with a ritual. But that’s all changing with the increased popularity of divorce parties. But even if your homegirl really isn’t into the whole party thing, you can still make her laugh with one of these divorce gag gifts.

Condoleezza Rice really isn’t someone we envy. I mean, she has to work with one of the most annoying men in the country. But we’d be willing to put up with a lot if it meant receiving lavish gifts from foreign heads of state and government and their aides. The kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia gave Rice gem-encrusted baubles totaling at least $316,000 in 2007. King Abdullah II of Jordan gave Rice an emerald and diamond necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings estimated to be worth $147,000, according to the State Department’s annual inventory of such items released on Monday. The king and his wife Queen Rania also gave Rice a necklace, earrings and jewelry box valued at $4,630. But King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia would not be outdone and presented Rice with an diamond and ruby necklace with matching earrings, ring and bracelet worth $165,000. Unfortunately, Rice and other officials won’t be able to keep the gifts, which have been turned over to the General Services Administration and government archives in accordance with federal law. Since Rice doesn’t dress too flashy (though she does love her pearls!), we think she really won’t miss the jewelry. After the jump find out what other gifts were presented to U.S. officials. [AP]

It’s Christmas Eve. Dinner is ready, the house is decorated, and the lights are aglow with holiday magic. You are about to relax in the recliner with some eggnog and watch “A Christmas Story” when you get a call from your brother. He has decided to bring his new girlfriend and he forgot to get her a present—would you mind? Or maybe you are heading out to a party and realize you forgot to get the host a gift. Maybe things have been so crazy, you forgot you have three nephews, not two. Whatever the reason, you need a gift, you need it now, and all that’s open is Walgreen’s, Bob’s Liquor, and Safeway. Take a deep breath, down the eggnog, and grab your keys. You’ve heard of last-minute gifts? Here are some last last-minute gifts that don’t seem so, well, last minute.

There are plenty of perks to getting married: the attention, the made-for-you gown, the whole life-partner thing. But the presents are pretty sweet, too. Registering for gifts can seem like more fun than an adult female should legally be allowed to enjoy. Basically, it’s like catalog shopping, only there’s a good chance someone will buy the items that you dreamily dog-ear. Plus, with those little UPC-code readers and the Interweb, it couldn’t be easier. But beware: The gift registry is a source of hidden stress and trauma. So before you go apes*** in the home department of Bloomingdales, there are some wedding registry traps to be on the lookout for:

Scarlett Johannson’s boogers and snot are worth thousands. She’s auctioning off her dirty mucas filled tissue on eBay for charity. [PerezHilton]

The Screen Actors Guild Award nominations were announced today. Our favorite couple Brad and Angie both picked up nods. Check out the full list. [CNN]

Betsey Johnson might be doing a “recession-friendly” line, potentially with H&M or Target. Whee! Cartwheels! [Perez Hilton]

Katy Perry is reportedly engaged to Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy. Guess she’s done kissing girls! [Your Tango]

Tired of being nice this year?  Check out these gifts for those who want to put some naughty in their holiday. [Refinery29]

 

Madonna is rumored to be ringing in the holiday cheer with Alex Rodriguez, who is supposedly flying to London to be with Madge and the kids over Christmas. [Hollyscoop]

 

According to a new study, a third of all women “view an inadequate Christmas gift as a relationship deal-breaker.” Women sited cooking utensils, cleaning products, fake jewelry, and, mysteriously, “a tape dispenser” as bad gift choices. Not surprisingly, lame gifts followed by more disappointments (reservations at the wrong restaurant, perhaps?) led to more breakups, the survey found. Interestingly, smart women are particularly hard to please: “highly educated women—especially those in the legal field—are particularly demanding.”

On Monday it was finally made official: the U.S. is definitely in a recession. While most of us have been feeling the pinch for a while, the holidays bring an added challenge to stretch our dollars as far as we can. The good news is that from gift giving to decorating and dressing for parties, there are definitely stylish ways to celebrate this time of year on a tight budget. Learn a few tips after the jump.

With the holidays (and my birthday) coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about gifts and what makes a good one. In my experience, the best gifts are the ones that show you know the person, rather than this year’s It item that everyone wants to get their hands on. In the spirit of giving, share the best gift you ever gave and the best one you ever got in the comments—maybe someone else’s brilliant idea will inspire one of your own…

For his wife’s 29th birthday, a man gave her 52 tiny envelopes each filled with a handwritten love note and enough cash to buy herself fresh flowers. Check out the beautiful blooms she’s bought so far. Gentlemen, this is the basically the sweetest gift ever. If you can’t find the perfect gift for your lady friend and she loves fresh flowers, she will basically be obsessed with you after you do this. I know I would be. [Year of Flowers on Flickr via A Cup Of Jo]

ZOMG! It’s wedding season! You know what that means? If you’re getting married, you’ve got to register for gifts and if you’re going to a wedding (or many weddings, as these things tend to come in droves), you’ve got to start purchasing. Most wedding registries are done online these days, but not everyone registers at department stores or home furnishing shops in search of the perfect 15-piece set of pots and pans. A lot of couples go the more unusual route, and register with online stores with specialized wares. Here are five we think are fun.

1. Honeymoon: Dying to go to Aruba, but don’t have the cash for a super luxurious post-wedding honeymoon? Register your honeymoon vacay with TheBigDay.com, a site which allows guests to contribute to the special couple’s trip. [TheBigDay.com]