My family are planning a trip to Paris in 2008, for my mother in law's 60th birthday and Christmas. What is Paris like in December/January?

Cold.

No seriously realy cold (0°C, -5°C...). But very nice if you get there around christmas, around the 20th of december (a lot of decoration in the streets, people rushing everywhere with christmas gifts...).

I love Europe at Christmas. They really celebrate it well and you will be caught up in it all.

I also recommend trying to get to a German Xmas market if you can. Also wonderful. We went to Cologne a few years ago. Freezing but lots of mulled wine, sausages, waffles and beautiful, beautiful Christmas decorations for sale. Singing. It was lovely.