Can anything good come from heartache? According to entrepreneur Joshua Opperman, the answer is yes. Opperman started an auction website called I Do…Now I Don't as a way for fiancés left at the altar to get rid of expensive engagement rings. Now, the site has developed into much more: Jilted lovers are turning to it for its social community, where they can vent about their ex or find tips on surviving the breakup. The site also features the best breakup songs (with lyrics so you can sing along) and a blog for sharing personal stories.

Discover Small Business Watch says economic confidence among small-business owners declined for the fourth straight month in November. Confidence measured 93.2, compared with 96.8 in October, and 114.6 at this time last year. This downward trend reflects the overall feeling of economic instability across the country. "Challenges in the national economy over the past few months are no doubt influencing the perceptions of small-business owners, but there still is stability back on Main Street," said Sastry Rachakonda, director of Discover's business credit card.

For more poll results on holiday spending and online habits, view the rest of the survey here.

While many entrepreneurs and their employees look forward to the end of the year for time off, company parties and annual bonuses, others dread ringing in a new year because it means performance review time. Many companies conduct their employee evaluations at the end of the calendar year, adding mounds of paperwork and tasks to an already busy season of closing out the year's business details.

According to a recent study by Forrester Research, "Paper- or e-mail-driven performance review processes are dreaded by managers and HR and are rarely compliant." The hectic timing and disdain for doing reviews often leave them rushed and ineffective.

However, companies like Authoria, Softscape and SuccessFactors are aiming to change that with their automated performance review software. The programs include document templates, let managers track employees' progress year-round, calculate employee scores based on company standard ratings, and provide writing assistance and coaching for effective feedback.

So, deck the halls with a little automation this year and spend your holidays surrounded by good cheer instead of employee files.--Lindsay Holloway