Holiday gifts fit for a fairy tale
Once upon a time — and by that we mean just a few months ago — it was the old-school horror genre that was being dusted off and repurposed into 21st century popular culture replete with wizards, werewolves, zombies and the hollow-cheeked vampires of the vanities.
Today it’s not horror stories but fairy tales seizing the collective imagination. For evidence, one need look no further than the fall TV schedule, where NBC rolled out “Grimm†(recasting fairy tales as crime procedurals) and ABC served up “Once Upon a Time†(the fairy tale as family drama). And don’t even get us started with the “Shrek†franchise, which includes a touring Broadway musical and “Puss in Boots†on the big screen.
Expect the trend to continue well into 2012 when moviegoers will have the chance to see no fewer than two Snow White movies — “Mirror Mirror†in March (with Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen and Lily Collins as Snow White) and “Snow White and the Huntsman†in June (with genre-jumping Kristen Stewart cast as Snow White and Chris Hemsworth as the titular huntsman). Add in the action-horror-fairy tale flick “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,†which also hits theaters in March, and stars Jeremy Renner as Hansel and Gemma Arterton as Gretel, and it starts to feel like a flash mob has hit the Enchanted Forest.
PHOTOS: Holiday gift guide inspired by fairy tales
Fairy tale magic gave us just the inspiration we needed to select some stylish apparel, objets d’art and other surprises to wrap up for loved ones this year. Imagine, if you will, a hand turning the gilt-edged pages of a very large book, and enter our fairy tale holiday gift guide.
Hansel and Gretel
Two adorable young children get lost in the woods and outsmart an evil witch in a candy cottage.
For a sweet tooth: Vosges Haut Chocolat Ensemble du Chocolat, $135 at Vosges Haut Chocolat boutique, Beverly Hills.
Survival tool: Victorinox Tomo in apple green, $24 at Victorinox Swiss Army boutique, Beverly Center.
Cottage warmth: Semiologie quilt by APC, $548 at Anthropologie stores.
Angelic dressing: Lanvin ivory taffeta coat with grosgrain bow, $1,050 at Lanvin, Beverly Hills.
Twelve Dancing Princesses
A dozen maidens disappear each night to dance till dawn in a secret ballroom.
Be festive: Atelier Swarovski by Mary Katrantzou double cuff $550, single cuff, $370 at Swarovski, the Grove, Los Angeles.
Soothe tired toes: Margaret Dabbs Footcare Discovery Set, $49 at https://www.spacenk.com.
Dance all night: Ralph Lauren Collection travel ballerina flats and pouch, fall collection on sale for $209 a pair, spring 2012 collection coming soon, $395 a pair at https://www.ralphlauren.com.
Get ready: Johnny Was dressing robe, $218 at Johnny Was, Santa Monica Place.
A good time: The Absolut Crystal Pinstripe bottle, $1,500 at LAX duty free.
Cinderella
In which the neglected girl by the hearth weds her true love and becomes a princess through the power of answered wishes (and a fairy godmother).
Modern glass slipper: Gianvito Rossi for Altuzarra fur strap pumps, $509 at https://www.barneys.com.
Prince Charming: Santa Maria Novella shaving set, $250 at Santa Maria Novella, Melrose Place.
Handsome: Charles Phillip “Ronaldo†tassel suede loafer, $150 at Bloomingdale’s.
Endless romance: Cartier Love bracelet in 18k rose gold, white gold and diamonds $31,700 at Cartier, Beverly Hills.
Rapunzel
The story of the princess in the tower suggests that hair is indeed a woman’s crowning glory.
Start at the roots: Beauty scalp balance at ONA spa, $130 for a 90-minute treatment.
Chicly coiffed: Gift certificate to the Braid Bar at Salon Nine Zero One, braids $25.
Top it off: Jennifer Behr Grande black pearl and crystal headband, $1,450 at https://www.jenniferbehr.com.
Sleeping Beauty
An evil fairy’s curse makes the princess sleep for 100 years after she is pricked by a spinning wheel’s sharp spindle. Only true love’s kiss wakes her.
Ready to nap: Tory Burch “Luella†pajama set, $250 at Tory Burch, Robertson Boulevard.
A good yarn: Color block scarf, $29.95 at Gap stores.
Nite-nite: Holly GoNightly sleep mask, $15 at https://www.fredflare.com.
Snow White…
A huntsman helps Snow White escape her vain, envious stepmother for awhile. But later a poison apple makes this princess fall into a slumber until she’s awakened by her prince.
Woodsy: Pendleton Portland Collection quilted detail shirt, $198 at https://www.revolveclothing.com.
Tempting fruit: D.L & Co. mini apple candle, $25 at https://www.barneys.com.
Mirror, mirror: Too Faced Sweet Dreams beauty palette, $52 at Sephora.
…And the Seven Dwarves
They provide hospitality to Snow White while she’s hiding from the wicked stepmother. Surely they deserve host(ess) gifts like these.
Jo Malone World of Jo Malone Collection of fragrances, $150 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills.
Aquiesse candles, $32 each at Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills.
Michael Aram scent diffuser, $99 at Bloomingdale’s.
Jonathan Adler Mr. And Mrs. Muse ornament set, $48 at https://www.jonathanadler.com.
Hay & Scholten & Baijings tea towels, $32 for set of two at https://www.aplusrstore.com.
Maison Martin Margiela snow globe, $180 at https://www.aplusrstore.com.
Guy Wolff Culinary French herb kit, $34.99 at https://www.restorationhardware.com.
Red Riding Hood
Taking a basket of goodies to Grandma’s house, the girl in the red cape (briefly) becomes lunch for the trickster wolf.
Pack it up: A Bottega Veneta Plaster Cioccolato Nero Canvas Basket print Vachette tote, $1,550 at Bottega Veneta, Beverly Hills.
Off you go: Ralph Lauren Blue Label cabled hat and scarf, $200 at https://www.ralphlauren.com.
A pop of red: YBF Royalty Collectable Pewter lipstick in Royal Red, $28.80 at https://www.ybfgirlfriends.com.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
She ate their porridge, sat in their chairs, slept in their beds before the three bears scared this intruder off.
Yummy: Biodactic Design Honey Hive, $75 at https://www.aplusrstore.com.
Not so scary: 3.1 Phillip Lim leather bear brooch, $95 each at https://www.shopbop.com.
Better than porridge: Kosta Boda “Mine†ice cream bowl, $30 each at Bloomingdale’s.
