If you really want to splash out on loved ones this Christmas, there's no better place to flash the cash than Monaco. It's got all the designer shops and boutiques your heart desires and a surprising number of less expensive ones as well. Here's FR2DAY's five favourite spots for Christmas shopping in Monaco.

Boulevard des Moulins
Most famous for its jewellery stores and small galleries, this busy street has a lot more to offer, making it extremely popular with locals and tourists alike.

There are designer stores such as Celine and Baby Dior and while a lot of the boutiques are so expensive most resort to window shopping, at least it's enjoyable - the street is often pedestrianised, encouraging people to stroll along taking in the atmosphere. It's not all 'top hat' either. There are some great less expensive shops. Argument, for example is a menswear store that stocks everything from blazers to briefs - easy on the eye as well as the pocket.

Les galeries du Métropole
If the stores of Boulevard des Moulins are out of your price range, try Les galeries de Métropole  The equivalent of a shopping mall - this gallery features shops including Swarovski, Kenzo and Lacoste, and well as a huge FNAC (selling books, CDs and DVDs). Perfect for the last minute Chritmas shop.

Two of the most interesting shops in Les galeries are Manufacture de Monaco, stocking a variety of beautiful items to lift your house, and Royal Food - a delicious delicatessen. This can be found down a set of stairs at the side of the mall. Good for yuletide gluttons.

La Condamine
Situated between Rue Grimaldi and Rue Princesse-Caroline, this shopping district is popular with yachties and tourists who dock at Port de Monaco. As well as its dizzying array of stores, the streets around the area are beautiful, especially at this time of year. La Condamine is the second oldest district in Monaco, after Monaco-Ville. The area includes the traditional Rue Princesse-Caroline, and the more commercial Rue Grimaldi, full of souvenir shops.

The most attractive part of La Condamine, any local will tell you, is the flower and fresh produce market at the western end of Rue Grimaldi on Place d'Armes. Open most mornings. Buy your Christmas flowers here.

Avenue de Monte Carlo
This is arguably the most famous shopping street in Monte Carlo. It's also the most expensive, with names like Valentino, Gucci and Hermes creating a natural habitat for the well heeled Christmas shooper. Definitely not an area for the faint-hearted and the small number of plush stores mean it's a street for people intent on buying a specific item, rather than just browsing.

Avenue des Beaux-Arts
Avenue des Beaux-Arts is another exclusive shopping street. More variety here though, with high-end clothing stores Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, preening themselves next to jewellery outlets Bulgari and Piaget. This is where you shop for the special one in your life. The very special one.

Monaco is expensive, everyone knows that - but come'on, Christmas is once a year - and there's nothing quite like handing over a gift and saying 'I bought it in Monte Carlo, darling.'

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