JEN ANISTON: TO GLOAT OR NOT TO GLOAT...

GOOD JENNIFER: Thanks to beau JOHN MAYER, it’s an especially happy New Year for JENNIFER ANISTON – who whipped ex-hubby BRAD PITT at the holiday box office.

The “Marley & Me” beauty is reveling in her victory over the “Benjamin Button” star, and friends say that’s because super-supportive John keeps super-charging her confidence.

“Jen isn’t the gloating type, but she asked John, ‘Should I be happy about this?’”

Swagger Stud told her: “Go on, gloat a little – you earned it!”

Pumped Jen’s now ordered her agents to hunt for a project with “Oscar” written all over it.