Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or just non-denominational seasonal goodwill, DVDs remain a can’ t-miss gift. And the more, the merrier, which is why we’ve highlighted 11 recently released boxed sets for the couch potato on your list. Set hut!
The Barbara Stanwyck Show: Volume 1
DISCS: 3
DISH: After blowing up on the big screen, Stanwyck tried her hand at TV, and did just fine, thank you very much. She toplined a half-hour anthology series ” from which 15 episodes have been culled for this collection ” and earned an Emmy for her efforts. You can even see her acceptance speech.
Criss Angel: Mindfreak Collector’s Edition Megaset
DISCS: 15
DISH: This box set is thicker than any standard-size one I’ve seen. A magician with an edge, Angel continues to draw high ratings on A&E, and this collects all 92 episodes of “Mindfreak,” plus a Halloween special. The packaging unfolds to reveal a pop-up: Angel being sawed in half.
Farscape: The Complete Series Megaset
DISCS: 25
DISH: Gift this four-season set to sci-fi-inclined kids young enough to still like puppets, but not yet old enough for the headier fare of “Battlestar Galactica.” A mix of live-action and CGI, “Farscape” was an instant cult favorite when it debuted in 1999.
Merry Sitcom: Christmas Classics from TV’s Golden Age
DISCS: 1
DISH: One disc, but six shows! Sitcoms today continue to roll out annual Christmas episodes, but go back to where they began with half-hours from “Bewitched,” “That Girl,” “McHale’s Navy,” “Father Knows Best,” “The Donna Reed Show” and “The Flying Nun.”
Mister Ed: Season One
DISCS: 4
DISH: Everyone’s favorite talking-horse sitcom comes to DVD with its first 26 episodes. Should you buy this for the syndicated-series nut in your household? Of course, of course.
The Prisoner: Blu-ray Edition
DISCS: 5
DISH: Forget the recent remake. Instead, revisit the 1968 original ” a sci-fi mindbender whose mere 17 episodes hold influence over hits of today, like “Lost.” This marks Number Six’s Blu-ray debut, with the added bonus of a feature-length documentary.
The Rockford Files Movie Collection: Volume 1
DISCS: 2
DISH: With all six seasons of James Garner’s 1970s TV series already out on DVD, now the 1990s TV-movie revivals follow. You get four of them here: “I Still Love L.A.,” “A Blessing in Disguise,” “If the Frame Fits “¦” and “Godfather Knows Best.”
Thomas & Friends: Holiday Express
DISCS: 1
DISH: A single-disc release wouldn’t ordinarily qualify as a set, but this toddler TV fave comes packaged with a holiday-themed toy train. Which will viewers enjoy more: six episodes of Thomas’ adventures or Thomas himself? Choo on that.
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
DISCS: 2
DISH: Yet another straight-to-video sequel spun off from “Peter Pan,” Disney gives Tinker Bell a fourth animated feature film. A selling point here is that the package includes the movie on Blu-ray and standard DVD. A fifth film soon will follow.
Treasury of 50 Storybook Classics: Animal Antics “¦ and More!
DISCS: 7
DISH: Children too young to read classic books can at least get acquainted with 50 of them, adapted into award-winning animations. Among the notable titles: “Click, Clack, Moo “¦ Cows That Type” and “Make Way for Ducklings.”
Zorro: The First Complete Season
DISCS: 6
DISH: Part of the Walt Disney Treasures series, the 1950s “Zorro” TV series comes packaged in the much-sought-after collectible tins, but here in black instead of gray. A pin and certificate of authenticity heighten the special release, as does seeing the adventure show all over again, now digitally restored. Season two is also available. “Rod Lott
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2009.