There's nothing more exciting for kids than unwrapping boxes on Christmas morning or after lighting the menorah on Chanukah. So, this holiday season, surprise them with . . . more boxes!
DVDs are now being bundled into collectible boxed sets that offer young (and older) viewers complete movie series or entire seasons of classic TV shows all in one convenient package. We've done some thinking outside the box to put together a list of suggestions guaranteed to make you the most popular gift-giver on those occasions when your presence--and presents--are required.
BEST FOR PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 3 - 5)
Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Complete Second Season
Not rated
What's in It? All 24 episodes from the 1984 TV season
Why It's a Great Gift: Preschoolers raised on Sesame Street will be fascinated to meet their beloved Muppets' scruffier, more eccentric counterparts.
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: An allegory of the real world, the puppet-inhabited Fraggle Rock subtly explores symbiotic relationships and big issues like prejudice with warmth, humor, music, and humanity.
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends: Totally Thomas! Volume 1
Not rated
What's in It? Three discs: "Make Someone Happy," "Spills & Chills," and "Percy's Chocolate Crunch"
Why It's a Great Gift: Thomas--the epitome of the little engine that could--is empowering to young viewers, and what could be better than giving the gift of self-confidence to a child?
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Trains are a childhood staple, and Thomas' adventures are entertaining and filled with positive messages bound to keep little ones on track.
Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition)
Not rated
What's in It? Every song from the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning TV series, plus a timely new one, "I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College"
Why It's a Great Gift: Recipients will silently thank you next time they come up with the correct answer on an English test by singing to themselves, "Conjunction junction, what's your function?"
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Although the idea that learning math, grammar, science, history, and money basics can be fun is no longer considered radical, it still works!
What's in It? The four original Herbie movies: The Love Bug, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Herbie Goes Bananas, and Herbie Rides Again
Why It's a Great Gift: Kids will be intrigued that the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own existed long before becoming "Fully Loaded" with Lindsay Lohan.
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick:The Love Bug was the highest-grossing movie of 1969 and, along with its sequels, is still fun escapism.
Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre: The Complete Collection Gift Set
Not rated
What's in It? All 26 episodes of the acclaimed 1980s Showtime series
Why It's a Great Gift: These twisted tales will make even the most jaded tweens feel nostalgic for their childhood bedtime stories.
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: With the inspired casting of top stars from Robin Williams to Christopher Reeve and directors like Tim Burton and Francis Ford Coppola, this enchanting ode to fairy tales insures the genre will continue for another generation.
The Adventures of Indiana Jones: The Complete DVD Movie Collection
Rated: PG
What's in It? Four discs: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, plus a bonus disc of extra features including never-before-seen footage.
Why It's a Great Gift: With all three movies at their fingertips, kids won't have to bite their nails waiting for the next episode of this unparalleled cliffhanger serial.
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Steven Spielberg plus George Lucas plus Harrison Ford equals the standard to which all action/adventure films have since been compared.
What's in It?Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Black Stallion, and Yours, Mine and Ours
Why It's a Great Gift: Between the cars, horses and kids, there's something here for every member of the family.
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Each of these movies has remained relevant for at least three decades, proving that simple values like caring for family and friends--both two and four-legged--are timeless.
What's in It? 154 episodes of the landmark TV show
Why It's a Great Gift: Kids will realize that comedy doesn't have to be vulgar to be funny, and you'll get to watch Lucy and Ethel work on the chocolate factory assembly line again.
Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Viewers have been laughing at Lucy's antics for more than 50 years and will still be laughing 50 years from now.
