No Christmas gifts for the Queen of England? CBS News says that in an effort to show solidarity with the recession-stricken people of her land, Queen Elizabeth II has let it known that she and her husband Prince Philip do not require gifts this year. The Queen has had some financial struggles of her own this year, forced to cut costs and ask for additional money from the British government for the upkeep of the royal castles. According to Forbes, the monarch has a fortune of $450 million which sounds like a lot but that number is down $200 million from recent years.

The royal family generally spends Christmas at Sandringham Estate, the Queen's country manor in Norfolk, England, a few days before Christmas. The Royals generally don't splash out on fancy gifts anyway but the Queen is taking extra precautions requesting that any potential gifts be donated to local charities and hospitals instead. The Queen has also been reusing more of her wardrobe and has instructed family members to cut back.

The packed social calendar around the holidays can confound even the most organized shopper. Dress codes can range from casual low-key family gatherings to business attire for company parties and all-out black-tie New Year's Eve soirees. It's enough to make the most seasoned glamazon reach for a glass of Veuve Cliquot. The bleak economy notwithstanding (or precisely because our spirits desperately need lifting), fashion designers have given us plenty of ways to ring in the new decade. Here are five hot looks for the holidays.

DRAPING: Draping has come a long way from the time of Madam Gres, the haute couturier who introduced the Grecian gown to French society in the 1930s. Today's pleats range from subtle to on-steroids. Donna Karan placed so many pleats in one of her evening gowns, it drenched the model liquid metal. Balenciaga's draped skirts have a strength and structure that bring to mind the Statue of Liberty. And Los Angeles designer Juan Carlos Obando's draped white gown is pure Hollywood screen siren.

ORIGAMI: The Japanese art of paper folding begins with a square that folds and creases into geometric patterns. In fashion, pleats and folds create texture on everything from bodices on Donna Karan gowns to stiff structure at the necklines on an emerald cocktail number by RM Rouland Mouret and kick up the waist of a Christian Dior frock. The look is sculptural and artistic.

WHITE: Perhaps inspired by Michelle Obama's wedding-white inauguration gown by Jason Wu, white gowns are everywhere for the holidays. Polo Ralph Lauren offered a one-shoulder white silk bombshell and ingeniously uses a boyfriend's blazer to tone down the white sugary froth of ruffles and frills (pictured above). Givenchy went a little bit Halston with a jersey gown tied at the waist.

VELVET: This was the year velvet came out of mothballs. As I reported earlier this year, Gianfranco Ferre, Lanvin and Elie Saab blew fashion watchers away with their long, black velvet gowns with structured cap sleeves a la the '40s. And Aquilano.Rimondi came out with a bright red velvet belted cocoon coat that Neiman Marcus The Christmas Book calls the stuff of fairy tales.

SHINE ON: Whether it's jeweled-colored beads on embroidery at Marchesa or a gold metallic Grecian dress at Tadashi Soji, shine always works for the holidays. If you don't want to go head-to-toe, do an accent or two. Gunmetal and copper sequined skirts and leggings will have you giving the Christmas tree a run for its money.

In time for the big holiday buildup, Ralph Lauren has launched an exclusive new online gift giving site, www.RalphLauren.com/GiftVault, offering rare and unique pieces sourced predominantly from the designer's extensive Vintage Collection.

The site is divided into three collections: Americana, Hollywood Glamour, and Estate. The Americana collection includes unique merchandise inspired by the Western Frontier from carved wood furniture to one-of-a-kind concho belts.

Hollywood Glamour epitomizes 1930's cinematic style with spectacular Art Deco home items reminiscent of old Hollywood including limited edition estate jewelry and sterling silver barware. And Estate is the ultimate in British-inspired sophistication including gold and gemstone jewelry, bronze statues and equestrian inspired accessories.

Examples of pieces on offer include a silver bullet shaped "artillery" cocktail shaker, a stunning antique mine-cut diamond pendant from the 1800s, a beautiful turquoise Navajo inspired cuff and this rare sterling silver and boar tusk flagon made in England in 1946.

Famed deluxe London department store Harrods came out with the ultimate holiday hamper this season, described as the "very best money can buy." Only eight of the extravagant Chairman's Choice hampers were made available by special order at about $7,500 apiece. Presented in an exclusively designed, limited edition handmade basket with leather trim, the hamper's contents include fruit, flowers, farmed smoked salmon, a truffle ham, half a Stilton cheese, double cream brie, and of course heaps of Beluga caviar. Drinks-wise, there's 30-year-old Macallan single malt Scotch, Krug champagne, Hennessy cognac, and several bottles of wine including the famous Chateau d'Yquem.

[via JustLuxe]

The numbers are in from Christmas 2008 and bleak doesn't even begin to cover it. The Wall Street Journal reports that total retail sales, excluding automobiles, fell over the year-earlier period by 5.5% in November and 8% in December through Christmas Eve, according to MasterCard Inc.'s SpendingPulse unit. If you take out gasoline sales the overall percentages work out to a 2.5% drop in November and a 4% decline in December (the drop in gas prices contributed to overall lower sales).

The luxury market was the worst hit with sales falling over 21%; add in jewelry sales and that number goes up to 34.5% The grim numbers have forced retailers to increase their savings offers moving up the typical January clearance sales to huge post-Chrstmas sales this weekend. It doesn't seem to have worked too well from what I saw out there today though. Part of the reason may be that this holiday season shoppers spent less on gift cards as presents so there is less of an immediate incentive for people to rush back into the stores.

If you're like me, you might have had a panic attack when you finally realized that it's already the middle of December and you haven't done any holiday shopping yet. If you're even more like me, then you're hopeless when it comes to picking out gifts for friends and family. Thankfully, there are some classic standbys out there to help you get through your holiday shopping with as little stress as possible.

In this season of extreme home decorating, everyone can appreciate a lovely flower arrangement. Flora2000 is a high-end flower delivery service offering same-day deliveries to 150 countries, and I'm in love with their bouquets. Even if you've put off your holiday shopping until the last minute, you can still get gorgeous gifts sent out ahead of Santa's sleigh. Whether you're ordering flowers for local delivery or overseas shipment, you'll be amazed by Flora2000's speedy service, and the arrangements are top-of-the-line.

In addition to over 3,000 floral arrangements, Flora2000 offers a wide selection of gourmet gift boxes and chocolates.

We all have one on our lists, the person who seems to have everything. I think it was for exactly these sort of people that gift of the month clubs were invented. Because something small gains new weight and significance when it comes every month for a year. These days you can find a gift of the month for nearly everything. There are hundreds of food clubs as well as enthusiast clubs offering everything from knitting yarn to fishing flies. The classic is of course the wine or beer club. Wine.com offers a couple of excellent clubs such as the Wines of the World Club which costs $595 for two bottles of well-rated wine a month but you can spend far less or far more elsewhere depending on your wine inclination.

For ten more of the month ideas that are a little further off the beaten path check out the gallery below.

Sure, you could bake, but in this rushed holiday season you might not have time. If you aren't feeling culinary inspiration this season there are a variety of great places to order online. We've rounded up ten top choices from small Etsy boutiques to the bigger cookie empires offering options for every budget.

Dean & DeLuca is offering this box from Amy's Cookies. The assortment includes four raspberry and four apricot thumbprints, eight chocolate stars, four pecan butter balls, four each of raspberry and apricot star window cookies, four Viennese crescents, five gingerbread girls and five gingerbread boys. Packaged in a white tin and tied with a red ribbon, it sells for $50.

British jeweler Asprey has unveiled their annual Christmas Cracker. The classic British Christmas accompaniment comes with the traditional paper crown, a quotation, balloon and one gift item. This years items in sterling silver and lizard skin include a yoyo, deco cufflinks, silver pen, lizard book mark, silver and lizard skin tape measure, mini clock, silver heart bracelet, pencil sharpener, table magnifier, poker dice set, compass key ring and salt and pepper set. The crackers are wrapped in purple and silver and each one sells for $230 or a box of 12 for $2,635.

For the crafty and thrifty, here's a mini tutorial on making your own Christmas crackers.

The news is full of canceled holiday parties but one liquor company has taken this as a marketing opportunity. Kahlua, the coffee liquor is offering five $10,000 prizes to five small businesses that have had to cancel their holiday parties. Business in just five states: Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Georgia and Illinois are eligible. Kahlua has created a special website for the contest, www.KahluaSavestheHolidayParty.com which has instructions on how to enter. Applications close on December 7 and winners will be notified on or before December 12.

[via Star-Telegram]

We are kicking off a day of gift ideas in honor of Black Friday, the official start of the holiday season. First off, let's check out the latest offering from one of the big department stores. Nordstrom has jumped on the extravagant gift bandwagon with their Ultimate Gift Collection. The four one-of-a kind gift packages include a family portrait session with celebrity photographer Sam Jones which costs $50,000; a custom couch designed by Tory Burch in a silk Ikat print fabric hand-picked by Tory Burch and manufactured by Century Furniture in Hickory, N.C. for $15,000; a dream armoire designed and stocked by Juicy Couture (Two armoires are available at $15,000 each0; and custom artwork by artist Ruben Toledo, a larger-than-life, (12'x 20'), personalized painting. The package includes a pre-consultation at your home, a completed painting and professional installation of the finished work for $200,000.

When it comes to feasting on Thanksgiving day the turkey is the star of the show so it's only natural to display it on something beautiful. And since large serving platters aren't as prone to being broken or worn out by daily use it seems worthwhile to invest in one you'll be proud to show off on special occasions like Thanksgiving and other gatherings for years to come. So what kind of platter will go best with your Turkey Day tabletop decor? Whether you choose one that matches your dinnerware or one that stands out on its own, there's literally thousands of choices out there -- see the gallery below for some ideas!

Last year, the Gap offered a brightly striped holiday Vespa. This year they are going even greener, selling blue argyle-printed Electra bicycle. The bike comes two sizes, the adult version for $499 and a kid's version for $299.

The bike is part of Gap's holiday campaign that includes the usual crop of celebrities looking adorable in sweaters and scarves (this year's cast includes Jon Hamm, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Hudson, Rainn Wilson and Mary-Louise Parker). The ads feature ttaglines centered on the theme of "your own." Each individual in the campaign provided a handwritten response to various fill-in-the-blank taglines about the holiday season. Twilight's Cam Gigandet's tag-line reads "Fulfill Your Own New Years Resolutions," Actor Rainn Wilson wrote, "Merry Your Own Naughty Elf," and Actress Milla Jovovich's simply says, "Celebrate Your Own Gift."

The Gap has also created a series of videos with actors, musicians and comedians in holiday attire performing remixed versions of traditional holiday carols. The videos include Selma Blair and Rainn Wilson singing "Baby It's Cold Outside," Jon Heder and Janelle Monáe performing a unique version of "Winter Wonderland," "Jason Biggs, Romany Malco and Freddy Rodriguez sounding bells to "We 3 Kingz," The Dixie Chicks and Sandra Bernhard belting out "Deck the Halls," Flo Rida and Trey Songz remixing "Jingle Bells" and a performance of the entire holiday cast performing a never-before seen remix of "Jingle Bells" led by Flo Rida and Trey Songz which is embedded after the jump.

Holidays in New York City can be a lot of things: charming, classic, thrilling ... overwhelming, chaotic, expensive. While some travelers arrive in search of the quintessential Silver Bells experience, others may want to discover something new or stick within a budget. Luxist's friends at Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations, Gabrielle Etrog Cohen and Gina Masullo, came up with a comprehensive list of places to go and things to do for all NYC travelers as well as package deals, including hotels.

THE FAMILY: Crowd-pleasers for all ages-within a budget.

The show: The Off-Broadway production of The Gazillion Bubble Show is the first and only interactive stage production of its kind, complete with fantastic light effects, lasers, and jaw-dropping masterpieces of bubble artistry.

The sites: Gawking at the Macy's displays, a visit with the polar bears in Central Park, photo ops at the Rockefeller Center tree.

The meal: Dim Sum Go Go offers more than 24 kinds of dumplings, plus four variations on the dough-wrapper theme, four sauces, and microwave-safe takeout containers. Kids will love the creative finger food and parents will love the dim sum delicacies (beet flavored dumplings?).

The hotel: Apple Core Hotels -- a family-friendly vibe in the city's most exciting neighborhood.

The deal: Apple Core Hotels invites guests to explore New York -- including a trip to Toys "R" Us Times Square to create a stuffed animal at the Filled-With-Love interactive design shop. Apple Core's "Filled with Love" package is available January 2 - February 14, starts at $159.99 and includes accommodations in the heart of New York City, stuffed animal and breakfast, and in-room coffee. Children under 13 stay free.

For more packages, click on the continued link.

Today in Vivre Notes, founder Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti recommends a few products for the gents, including these quilted cashmere slippers by the famed Italian design group Loro Piana.

The pair at right was featured on Jeanbart-Lorenzotti's list of gift suggestions for the holidays, though they might be equally soothing to wear during a little weekend staycation right about now.

They retail for $475.