Celeb holiday sightings: Jennifer Aniston sips, Kyle Richards shops -- plus elephants!

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Deck the halls with the Ministry’s sightings -- despite an embarrassment of awards, nominations and the umpteenth December movie premiere, we have our eyes on what and where celebs are playing this magical holiday month.

Jennifer Aniston made an outing in Los Angeles with a slew of other stars for an audience Dec. 10 with Prince Robert of Luxembourg. The prince, who is the chairman of Domaine Clarence Dillon wines, hosted the actress for a formal dinner and tasting at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, along with Adrien Brody, Sacha Baron Cohen, Quincy Jones and Debi Mazar.

On the same day in New York City, fashionistas turned out for the 10th annual David Barton Gym toy drive. The fitness honcho and Bing search engine welcomed the likes of designers Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Narciso Rodriguez, photog Steven Klein and actress Abigail Breslin, all bearing gifts for less fortunate kids.

Speaking of the younger set, Jake T. Austin celebrated his 16th birthday this month at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with ‘Beacher’s Madhouse,’ emceed by David Arquette. The ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ star welcomed friends including Jaden Smith, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Stone, ‘Dancing With the Stars’ runner-up Kyle Massey and Booboo Stewart of ‘The Twilight Saga’ for the Onitsuka Tiger-sponsored bash.

Channeling their own inner children on Wednesday were Gavin Rossdale, Holly Robinson Peete and Slash, who attended the grand opening of the Elephants of Asia habitat at the Los Angeles Zoo. The multimillion-dollar project had Elton John, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves on its launch committee. The boldface names and their little ones enjoyed the opening and first look at the tusked trio: Billy, Tina and Jewel.

Others spotted out and about included: Super-stylish stars such as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Jessica Lowndes at the Black 15 in 1 haircare launch at the Andy Lecompte salon in West Hollywood.

Jessica Stam, Rashida Jones, Whitney Port and Nicolette Sheridan toasting the opening of boutique Devon in Beverly Hills.

Dania Ramirez and Elise Neal chatting it up at the Hollywood Maximum Warrior event, where Maxim mag and Jeep unveiled a giveaway of a special-edition ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ Wrangler truck.

Reality mom Padma Lakshmi stopping by the Duracell mobile smart power lab, where she pedaled a power rover that will help light up Times Square’s ‘2011’ sign the green way on New Year’s Eve.

‘Glee’ guys Darren Criss, Chord Overstreet and Mark Salling attending Seth MacFarlane‘s holiday bash for ‘It’s a Trap!’ the third installment in the ‘Family Guy’ parody series of ‘Star Wars.’ A dancing Darth Vader and plenty of sexy elves frolicked at Hollywood’s Supperclub.

Designer Charlotte Ronson hosting a dinner at L.A.’s Eveleigh to celebrate her new collection, toasting with mom Ann Dexter-Jones, sister Samantha and close pal Simpson-Wentz.

‘Real Housewives’ ’ Kyle Richards in her native Beverly Hills at salon Gavert Atelier, scooping up Joico’s K-Pak ReconstRx vapor iron to keep up her sleek ‘do.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photos, from top: Narciso Rodriguez, left, Marc Jacobs, Abigail Breslin and David Barton attend the David Barton Gym toy drive. Credit: Startraks. Left photo: Billy the elephant, 25, at the Elephants of Asia exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo on Dec. 16, 2010. Credit: Nick Ut / Associated Press