This past holiday season, Johnny Depp was spotted buying Christmas gifts with director pal Tim Burton in London.

Johnny Depp, the quirky actor and star of many offbeat character movies, spent this past holiday season in a rather mundane way. He was spotted Christmas shopping with his friend and director, Tim Burton, at London’s Forbidden Planet, a store that specializes in movie memorabilia and toys. He had in hand several items for purchase: a Betty Boop doll, Simpson figures, and what appears to be a wooden marionette – but not a single box of Christmas cards (perhaps that is his girlfriend’s job)! Tim Burton has been the director of many Johnny Depp movies over the years. Each man is a father of young children; therefore Christmas shopping is probably expected of them both.

Johnny Depp is dressed in rather drab attire for the season, apparently trying to appear incognito to avoid the usual paparazzi and fans. Dressed in jeans, denim jacket, tweed overcoat, sunglasses, and a hat, Johnny appears rather nondescript and unenthusiastic as he goes about his holiday shopping task. He was interviewed about his Christmas plans which were equally ordinary, spending time with his two children and longtime girlfriend while waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. One can only speculate that like every other family at this time of year, the Depps spend time decorating a tree, wrapping Christmas presents, writing out Christmas cards and perhaps even baking Christmas cookies!

Compare this holiday scene to the Christmas happenings of Johnny Depp’s character, Edward Scissorhands. Edward is the invention of an eccentric elderly inventor played by Vincent Price. Edward is a young man with a very odd appearance, most notably his hands which consist of many sharp blades resembling scissors. His dark leather attire, wildly askew hairdo, and scarred face conceal a very naïve and sensitive being. To further condense the story line, he is befriended by a wacky Avon lady whose daughter falls in love with him (who wouldn’t?). After some problems with the police and other individuals in town, his newfound family decides to have a Christmas party to smooth things over in the neighborhood.

The family house is decorated with colored lights, and a neon display reads “Happy Holidays” upon the roof. As mother and daughter decorate an artificial white tree, circa 1960s, with ornaments and bells, Edward Scissorhands is on the front lawn doing what he does best – carving topiaries. He is making an impressive angel ice sculpture and the ice shavings are floating and swirling throughout the night air. In a region that never gets snow, it is a magnificent sight to behold when the daughter comes outside and dances amongst the ice crystals in a scene that warms the holiday heart. It is here that the viewer gets a glimpse of why Edward has such horrific, inhuman hands. In a flashback, Edward is seen receiving a red wrapped Christmas present from his creator. The box contains two human-like hands that will never be a part of Edward; his creator falls to the floor, a victim of an apparent heart attack. The perfect Christmas gift of having life-like hands is lost forever.

The reality of Johnny Depp’s everyday life during the Christmas season is probably much more exciting than it appears. But the magical life and unfortunately, ruined Christmas of Edward Scissorhands, is far more enchanting than anything a human being could possibly hope for. Merry Christmas, Johnny and Edward! You are still loved by all!