DEAR SANTA, HERE'S WHAT SHE REALLY WANTS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Fashion Editor

There are gifts and then there are fashionable gifts. And in a city like L.A. where careers can be launched with the right shoes - such as Manolo Blahniks - a girl needs a style-savvy Santa looking out for her.

For the fashion-impaired, gift-givers in a hurry and those on a more down-to-earth budget, we scouted the malls, the Web sites and catalogs and snagged some of the hottest trends for big gifts and little stocking stuffers.

Themes continue to be patriotic (whether it's a Timmy Woods flag-painted purse, an Escada gown, Swarovski crystal pin or a Ralph Lauren sweater), but there's a renewed interest in traditional and kitschy Christmas designs (Nordstrom's bolero-length red sweater with appliques and fluffy white marabou feathers at the neck has peignoir-appeal in a sort of suburban grandma way) for the return to hearth and home lifestyle.

Frisky and fadish are ``Princess,'' ``Angel'' and ``Diva'' themes running rampant on everything from fluffy steering-wheel covers at Target and Claire's Accessories to photo frames and bathrobes at Wet Seal stores, priced under $25.

Diamond-accented crosses and chandelier earrings are the newest looks at jewelry stores, but there are plenty of fab fakes to be found, including Express boutiques for $13 to $18. That sterling silver charm bracelet with the heart worn by Reese Witherspoon's character in ``Legally Blonde'' is still hot, whether you get the real thing at Tiffany's for $150 or an inspired copy for $50 at any department store.

Pop culture couture also has resurfaced with inspiration from Christian Dior, whether it's his 1947-inspired handbag or '70s-era plexiglass rings, logo cuffs and stretchy bracelets with chunks of color. The latter will be easier to find on the cheap, while the $895 handbag is only at Dior boutiques at eLUXURY.com.

Pet prints (think Scotties) remain hot, especially on flannel pajamas, but '40s cherry prints are newer. You can find them on pink bedroom slippers at Charlotte Russe as well as enameled bobby pins by Marc Jacobs and a variety of sheer dresses and blouses.

When it comes to the season's color palette, think red and black and look for it in everything from Chanel nail polish (try tipping the black polish with a silver edge) to Sebastian's fake red foil lashes to Target's turtlenecks. Pastel pink and blue are teen faves while metallics remain a holiday staple for all ages at all prices.

Little luxuries, whether it's mink-covered coat hangers for $65 at Neiman Marcus or J-Lo's mink eyelashes from the Valerie Beverly Hills Beauty Catalog for $35 a pair are also new ideas that can make any girl feel glam.

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(1 -- color) The Victoria's Secret Heavenly Star Bra will make her the talk of the pamper parlor, with its pink sapphires and 90-carat diamond trim, priced at $12.5 million.

(2 -- color) Anya Hindmarch's new photo-finish silk tote is easily recognized and very status-y. You can find the ready-made kind with snaps of celebs or chihuahua dogs at Nordstrom, or you can go to the Anya Hindmarch boutique at 118 South Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, to create a personalized design with your own photo. Prices start at $195. For more information log on to www.beabag.com or call [phone].

(3 -- color) Let her count the hours with one of those sleek little watches with a pastel band that are all the rage. The most timely are by designer Cynthia Rowley for $140 at Nordstrom and the equally slim-lined red watch by Skagen for $115 at Macy's and Bloomingdale's.

(4 -- color) Warm headgear, whether it's that Russian fur hat featured in Vogue, or a more realistically priced faux fur style for $48 at Banana Republic. Also cozy are nostalgic toboggan hats with a pompon on top for $12.50 and $16.50 at The Gap.

(5 -- color) Remind her she's your angel with a dainty little picture frame that says ``Angel'' on the top (or ``Princess'') for $5 at Wet Seal or a fluffy little pink pixie cap for $10 at Claire's Accessories.