foreign language or teach the kids a new one with Rosetta Stone foreign-language software? Level 1 (from $219) of any language – there’s 31 available – will give you the basics, but levels 2 and 3 are available, and all can be purchased as a set ($549) if you’re really ambitious. Additionally, if you want to listen to lessons on your iPod or CD player, you can also buy the Audio Companion ($40).

Experience ‘Earth’

When the Discovery Channel premiered the 11-part “Planet Earth” ($79.98 DVD; $99.98 Blu-ray) series last year, it was the first time many of the things captured on film were ever seen, such as animal behaviors and views of locations. At a time when environmental issues are of critical importance, the “Planet Earth” series makes for excellent family viewing. Visit the poles, jungles, plains, deep sea and you’ll see our planet in a completely new way after watching this award-winning series.

The Oscar goes to …

As long as you’re shopping for DVDs, have a movie night and check out the 2008 Best Picture nominees. And the nominees were: Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men (winner). Create a truly authentic experience with the Cuisinart EasyPop Popcorn Maker ($69.95), which makes 10 cups of popcorn in less than five minutes. Bonus: The lid doubles as a bowl.

Help from a robot

When you go on vacation and rent a hotel room, you reap that one very big benefit – no cleaning. A staycation therefore poses a problem as you can probably get away without major housecleaning for a week but the daily dirt will build up quickly on your floors. Enter the iRobot Roomba 560 ($349.99), which vacuums your floors with a press of a button and selfadjusts from carpets to hard floors. That’s the kind of gift that just keeps on giving.

The iRobot Roomba takes vacuuming completely out of your hands.