Has anyone been to Paris around the holidays. I am going to be there just after Christmas for New Years' Eve. What can I expect? Should I worry about closings the week of New Years'?

Yes, you should worry about closings in the week between Christmas and New Year's. We were in Paris about 2 years ago at Christmas, and often found it difficult in the week after Christmas to find a restaurant. They're not all closed, but you do have to check, as lots of them are. I don't remember it being a problem with shopping, except for 25th Dec. and 1st January.

Most hotel restaurants will be open during the holidays.

I think it would be a magical time to be in Paris but I sure would prefer an apartment to a hotel just for this reason. In the very worst scenario at least you have a wee kitchen to stock up on lovely supplies...and some space.

The French approach to the Christmas holiday is more family oriented and a bit less commercialized than in the States. Some places - especially mom and pop places - may be closed or have curtailed hours but many, many places will still be open.

Sandra Gustafson's book, Great Eats in Paris, gives very detailed opening an closing times and dates. The latest edition would serve you well, I think.

lesm,
You'll find plenty of wonderful bistros, brasseries, restaurants open during the holidays. We just work around the closings of some of our favorites (and those loved by other Fodorites) , as some do close until the 2nd wk of Jan.

Here's the list that we compiled from all the guides and just work around-closings from Xmas through NYears, just for folks to know:

Au Bascou
Le Pamphlet (Jan. 1-15)
Mon Vieil Ami (Jan. 1-20)
Barcane
Atelier Maître Albert
Aux Charpentiers (Dec. 24/25, Jan. 1)
Les Papilles (Jan. 1-8)
Ze Kitchen Galerie (Dec.25/Jan.1)
Fish (reopens Jan. 2 or 3)
Chez l'Ami Jean
Aux Lyonnais
D'Chez Eux
L'Affriolé
Le Florimond
Le Villaret
Astier
Au Trou Gascon
L'Avant-Goût (Jan. 1-10)
La Cerisaie
Le Troquet
Aux Lyonnaise
Beurre Noisette (Jan. 1-7)
L'Endredgeu

The window shopping is just great, so lively and fun, especially at the grandes magasins on Dec. 31, when everyone will be packing into the food halls to buy their special NYE treats and champage. And there are always tastings at La Grande Epicerie of Le Bon Marché and at La Vinia.

Museums will be open Dec. 26-Dec. 31 and they're quite crowded, lines very long, due to the school holiday, and vacationers coming in from the provinces. The Grand Palais is open on New Year's Day but gets just packed. We get advanced reservations for New Years morning, but it's still extremely crowded. We buy our tickets ahead through FNAC for shows here and at the Luxembourg Museum.
Also we purchase ahead of time on line for opera, ballet at the Garnier and Bastille and anything playing at the Théâtre des Champs Elysée.
The best tickets can sell out quickly.

I love eveything about Paris during the holidays, even the cold-we've even experienced a bit of snow!