When you live around the world, you get to know the shopkeepers well. They are sometimes among my best friends in town. They are almost always smart and aware of which way the wind is blowing. I’ve been seeing and calling them. They know it is going to be a difficult holiday season and they have good ideas already for under the tree. Many have little luxe gifts and high-quality ideas that cost less than you expect and will be a treat to give people who will love them. -Mary Wells

Click here to read Mary Wells’s guide to shoes, sunglasses and jewels for the 2008 holiday season.