COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG. Owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, this is the shop for Colonial Williamsburg reproductions. This location in Merchants Square sells items that you will see throughout the historical area. From brass decorative items to bedding and rugs, this store has marvelous 21st-century samples of 18th-century goods. The quality is high and the staff helpful. The flagship Craft House is next to the Williamsburg Inn and has a garden section. If you go to only a few shops, this should be one of them.

With an on-site workshop and their own stamp, this small place has exquisite jewelry and other small items. Their pewter Christmas ornaments, called the Peaceable Kingdom Collection, feature beautiful small animals ranging from dolphins to lambs to ducks, and they can be used as ornaments or necklaces. The quality of the merchandise and the friendly staff make you feel like you have gone back in time. They offer a prompt engraving service.

WILLIAMSBURG. Pewter is synonymous with Colonial times, and Shirley's Pewter Shop has wonderful reproduction designs, many of which are produced at the Workshop on Jamestown Road. Items include lamps, dinnerware and tableware, and most pieces can be engraved in a day. The shop also has excellent limited-edition pieces and works from over 40 other manufacturers. The Workshop on Jamestown Road also has its own retail store.

MERCHANTS SQUARE. This is not just another Christmas Shop. The merchandise and the staff are equally delightful and make you want to look at Christmas items even in July. They have marvelous Williamsburg ornaments and also imported ones from Italy. A small place with a big selection!

MERCHANTS SQUARE. They sell all the expected brand names here, but since 1962 they have also been selling toy soldier and tin collectibles. And it is not just the kids that like this place ­ big kids seem to be having fun looking at all the new and old toys in the window and in the store. This is a great place to let yourself go and become a kid again ­ but this time with credit cards!