MAX7219 and 7221 are designed specifically for multiplexing multi-digit seven-segment displays. If you're not planning on creating numeric displays then they're a very expensive option. They also cannot be chained as a shift register would be; you need one dedicated I/O line per chip in addition to the data and clock I/O lines.
www.sureelectronics.net has good buys on SMD caps and resistors. They also sell the handy little plastic boxes to store them in. I don't think I've ever seen anyone selling an SMD electrolytic assortment, though. 0805 size is small but manageable; 1206 size usually has the value of the cap/resistor printed on it. The numbers refer to the dimensions of the chip; 0805 is .08" x .05".