The couple hosted a holiday party on Saturday at Paramount Studios for about 200 youngsters and their parents – all who have participated in Los Angeles County’s Beyond Shelter program, which helps financially strapped families find housing.

“We really wanted to give these kids a really wonderful and special Christmas. It’s our favorite holiday,” Richie told press.

Speaking of the reasoning behind their charitable ways, Nicole explained, “It’s hard to believe there are so many homeless families on the streets in our own neighborhoods. Estimates are that 25,000 families with 75,000 children are homeless in Los Angeles each year, and it’s getting worse.”

The 26-year-old former Simple Life star, who is expecting her first child next month, continued: “So it was a no-brainer for us to pull this party together for them for the holidays.”

Ringing similar sentiments, Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden tells, “It’s fun for us to be with a bunch of kids who are having a good time. They make you smile. Hopefully for today they’re feeling special.”

The following day, the couple took a little time for themselves, as they were spotted out grabbing a few last minute gifts and a bite to eat at a Hollywood pizza parlor.

Can you believe Miss Richie is due next month?! Time sure flies- do you think the celebutante has really changed?

Nicole Richie is taking a leave of absence from her alcohol education program.

“They offer that option to anyone with a medical condition of any kind,” her representative says. “She is not receiving special treatment.”

I hope she is taking this leave solely due to being so far along in her pregnancy and not due to any complications!

The program was part of Nicole’s sentencing for her DUI. It includes 52 hours of group counseling, bi-weekly face-to-face interviews and 12 hours of alcohol education, and its strongly encouraged to attend 12-step meetings.

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Philanthropy is hard work- days after hosting a surprise baby shower for expectant mothers at the LA Free Clinic, Nicole Richie & Joel Madden took some time for themselves.  The parents-to-be picked up a pie at the Village Pizzeria in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

I really like them- hope they do right by their baby (babies … ?  Did anyone else hear the twins rumor?).

Not many kids have a foundation launched in their honor before they’re born. But that will be one of the many privileges bestowed upon Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s baby, due in January.

The couple hosted a surprise baby shower Monday for 100 expectant and new moms at the Los Angeles Free Clinic in Hollywood, where they handed out more than $200,000 worth of gifts. “The looks on their faces were priceless,” Richie told reporters after the shower. “Some of them didn’t even believe us [when they saw the gifts]. They thought we were joking.”

The Richie Madden Children’s Foundation (at richiemaddenfoundation.com), Madden said, was an idea the couple had when they found out they were expecting. “We grew up in Los Angeles,” he said, “and we want our child to be a part of the community, and to know that there’s a responsibility to help the community.”

And it’s a family affair. “We named it the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation because we each have families and our families are close, and our family is involved,” Richie said. By her side with his arm stroking her back during moments in the conference, Madden quipped, “We’re lucky that we have families that get along and love each other,” adding, “I think it’s great that our child will grow up as a part of that family.”

Amongst the goodies given to families in need were Baby Bjorn products, cribs, mattresses and toys from Fisher-Price. “Everything they got, we got,” Richie says, “so everything that will be in their nursery, will be in our nursery.”

Madden felt good about the event. “Sometimes people don’t want to believe that me and Nicole are just a young couple having a baby and we’re really excited. We don’t really get to share our lives with people. It’s nice to connect with people on a real level.”

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Their baby’s a month away, but Nicole Richie and Joel Madden still can’t settle on a name.

“[Joel and I] can’t agree on one,” Richie, 26, told Access Hollywood in an two-part interview that began Tuesday.

“I figure I’ll be in the hospital for at least a day, so I’ll figure it out then,” she said.

It might be tough, though: Richie said they still do not know the baby’s sex. “We’re waiting to find out, which has been a lot harder on me than it has on Joel because I’m so nosy,” she said. “If he wasn’t at every doctor’s appointment, I probably would have found out by now just behind his back and not told him.”

Boy or girl, she expects her child will not be anything like her or Madden, 28. “They’re going to be so embarrassed of Joel’s tattoos and my tattoos, because I have nine, because you never want to like your parents,” she said.

So what’s the toughest part of being pregnant? Giving up sushi, she said. “It’s my favorite food,” she said. “I was going maybe four or five nights a week.”

Richie, who has been dating her the Good Charlotte rocker since last December, also revealed that they’ll tie the knot “eventually,” but likely not anytime this year.

“Well, look how much has happened this year,” Richie added. “I mean, just let me rest a bit, you know. I gotta hold something for when I get older. I can’t have everything happen all in one year.”

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Nicole Richie & Joel Madden celebrated with family & friends at a Wizard of Oz-themed baby shower held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on November 18th. Mindy Weiss included touches like ruby slipper centerpieces, a yellow brick road lined with candy, & a live band performing tunes from the classic flick. Guests included Paris & Nicky Hilton, Lauren Conrad & Rashida Jones. “It’s nice to be supported by your friends and family. There are people here I haven’t seen in so long.” Richie told her guests at the event, which also raised money for the newly-established Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.

What did you think of the theme- weird or cute?  Some say they’re expecting a boy … there are going to be a lot of famous little men in Hollywood in ’08!

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