Those looking to add that subtle touch of panache to the home need look no further than Squire Chase, located at 1319 Chain Bridge Road in the Langley Shopping Center. Here buyers can find a broad selection of fine china, picture frames and other accessories to elegantly accent any residence.

"We specialize in Herend Porcelain from Hungary," Fran Ryan, the store manager, said. "Not only is their porcelain the finest in the world, but it’s also hand painted."

"The Chasers," as the staff calls themselves, stock a wide array of the Herend dinnerware and animal figurines, which range from $140-$1,000, colored in the traditional and distinctive "fishnet" pattern. For more ideas on how to appropriately serve your dinner guests, look to the Moser glassware from the Czech Republic, starting with shot glasses at $35 to the more extravagant pieces like vases around $1,900.

For a more permanent fixture in the home, Squire Chase has a picture frame for any purpose. These range from the colorful, hand-painted frames by Melanie Rothschild, which sell for $75-$150, to the more ornate and elegant Jay Strongwater frames, priced from $95-$500.

To add a touch of whimsy to the holidays, be sure to check out the wide selection of Christopher Radko "old-timey" glass-blown ornaments, which range from $30-$90, or the very popular Mariposa highly polished aluminum cocktail napkins sets for around $45, Christmas editions are soon to come.



Gifts for Man Who Has Everything


What to get for the man who has everything? More tools. And nowhere in the area is there a better stock and service than McLean Hardware, located in the heart of McLean, at 1445 Chain Bridge Road, for heavy-duty power tools as serious gifts or smaller wrenches, socket sets and football paraphernalia as stocking stuffers. While looking for presents for any level of hardware enthusiast, be sure to also check out the other necessities for a successful holiday season like the array of decorative lights, faux Christmas trees, extension cords and Christmas tree stands.

Glen Wiggs of Frederick, Va., has owned McLean Hardware for 25 years. Along with his knowledgeable and helpful staff, he has many ideas for holiday gifts.

"The Dremel power multitools are particularly popular," Wiggs said. "They can do all kinds of things and have so many different uses." Starter kits range from $89.99-$99.99 and will accommodate the dozens of additional bits for different projects, which are $3.99 each. Wiggs also recommends the Black & Decker specialty sander at $69.99 and the complete drill and screwdriver bit kit for $59.99.

As a responsible member of the community environment, McLean Hardware also sells stuffed bird toys $7.99, partial proceeds of which go to the Audubon Society.

Staffers Josie Latimer and John Crawford, both of McLean, also point out the wide range of charcoal and gas grilles, ranging from $350 for more basic models up to $2,600 for the top of the line.

"Don’t forget the chainsaws and leaf blowers," Crawford said.



Personalized ‘Great Small Things’


Don’t be afraid to brag about who you know at Name Droppers, located at 1349 Chain Bridge Road, which focuses on artistic merchandise that can easily be personalized.

"The personalization is one of the best parts of our store," Kelly Harmon, manager and Great Falls resident, said. "And we can usually have it completed in a week or two."

One of the best sellers for the holiday season is the customized Christmas tree skirts, said owner Marie Myers of McLean. For $129 the finely made skirt includes an embroidered family name and husband and wife’s names. Any additional name can be added for $12.

Those looking for something special for the children to use year-round can have a hand-painted name and design added to the piggy bank, $17.95; wooden foot stools, $49.95 or youngsters’ rocking chairs, $199.95, done by in-house artist Anj Murphy. Or, invest in a customized clay jewelry dish or valet by Clay Art of Arlington, which range from $34.95-$62.95.

"We come here for all the great small things, like purses and clutches," Katherine McGrady of McLean said, who came with her teenage daughter Elizabeth to peruse the variety of Vera Bradley accessories. "They have so many wonderful things for the house and it’s local — not the mall."

Before entertaining this season, be sure to also check the colorful cheese board sets with six cocktail squares and cheese spreader for $26.95 and the line of festive platters by Georgetown artist Soraya Jones, priced from $80-$98. And, for those restless times during the holidays, invest in "Bananagram" for $16.95, a game very popular among the Name Droppers staff, which they describe as "scrabble without the board."



Artists Create ‘Special Experience’


For slightly more bohemian and exotic gifts, be sure to stop by The Artisans at 1368 Chain Bridge Road. This store is full of clothing, art and jewelry by local artists and is attended by a knowledgeable staff to help buyers find the perfect piece.

"What’s special about this shop is not just the unique products and wide range of prices," Ronnie Lowenstein of McLean said, "but the people who work here are loving and fun. It’s a special experience every time I come."

Store manager Kristin Culan of Alexandria recommends jewelry by Carol Cavanaugh of Georgetown, priced from $40-$200, and Shannon Denny Price, who is also the owner, which start at $20. She also particularly likes the selection of Japanese ikebanas for $32, a specialized dish for arranging and presenting floral displays.

"It’s a unique shop," Culan says. "With so much from local artists you can’t find this kind of shop anywhere else and we only buy one or two things in the same style."

For the holiday season be sure to check out the hand-made ornaments with imported glass beads by Judith Leavy Harkins for $18.



Brightened Home Accents


For those who enjoy the finer things in life without necessarily spending an arm and leg, head to Smith’s of Bermuda at 6651 Old Dominion Drive. The shop specializes in women’s and men’s accessories, women’s clothing and what the staff describes as "brightened accents for the home."

The knowledgeable staff are particularly well suited to buyers who may not be sure what they are looking for specifically.

"You get great advice and personalized service here," Murna Morris of McLean, a frequent patron, said. "You won’t see anything here in a department store and the merchandise is always changing."

Smith’s of Bermuda specializes in purses, handbags and accessories by Brighton of Texas, which range from $40 for smaller pieces to roughly $340 and up, and also have a wide collection of fine Charles Albert sterling silver jewelry and accessories.

There are a few products for men, too, like the Royall Lyme of Bermuda colognes priced from $28-45 and Josh Bach neckties for $42.

In keeping with the holiday season, look for the varied collection of festive products in-line with the shop’s theme, like red and green footstools and hooked pillows adorned with fur trees and Santa Clause for $75 and Mark Roberts’ "Fairies" ornaments ranging from $35-$105.