As Christmas comes closer, it's shopping time on Parisist: Until Christmas, each Parisist contributor will help the world avoid the angry crowds of Galleries Lafayettes. The shops Parisist Loves, the shops Parisist loves to hate. Trendy and cheap or outrageoulsy expensive ... They'll all be there. Christmas without the pain. Isn't december beautiful in Paris ?

Do you speak martien ? (web)
8 rue des Trois Frères 75018 Paris
One of Parisist’s favorite boutiques “Do You speak Martien?” specializes in the world far far removed from necessity. Here Hello Kitty paraphernalia rubs against Emily the Strange. Nearby Tim Burton’s Mr. Jack enjoys his strange Christmas as his fellow Happy Tree friends lounge morbidly nearby. And on another shelf, Japanese avant-doll toy sculptures entice with their odd foreboding coolness.

Bimbo Tower
5 passage Saint-Antoine 75011 Paris
An essential outpost of the underground. Bimbo Tower holds within its walls, contemporary poetry, music, books, revues, records, Cds, and videos. The store looks eastward to Japan for inventory so among all that you think you shall not, could not and didn’t even know you wanted to find, keep an eye out for the latest Japanese gadgets peering out from amidst the inventory. look !

Arts Factory
48 rue d’Orsel, 75018 Paris :
Arty, playful, surprising with service that is always perfect. Arts Factory specializes in Bandes Desinees, illustrations, revues, CDs, collectable posters for a fraction of what they normally cost. Earning the Arts in its name and the Warhol for its Factory, the store also serves as a meeting point for the shining stars of the contemporary art world. Rotating expositions year-round. More information here.

Spree
16 rue de la Vieuville 75018 Paris
For luxurious presents for your very very much loved one, Spree offers designer clothing and jewelry, all chosen with the most exquisite taste in a store that makes you want to stay all day browsing and buying and a rich uncle in America to pony up the cash to cover it all.

(Many thanks to Joshua for translating to English Parisist's favorite Christmas shopping)