Widget and Gifts

Question. I am going mad trying to figure out how to add 'widgets' to my network. Instructions say to go to Profile Page, select edit in the upper right hand corner. (?) And add imbeded code, which I have many (such as 'addthis') I cannot find it.
I also would really like to get rid of 'gifts' they make the network look cheesy to me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated by this Ning novice.