When I was a kid, I looked forward to the yearly Sears Catalog Wish Book. I would hungrily pour over its pages, salivating at the prospects before my young eyes. Then, after I got past the male underwear model section, it was all about another kind of package; the kind that would sit underneath the Christmas tree, tempting me until Dec. 25.

And ’tis the season that the entertainment industry pulls out all of their collective stops to tempt us to buy, or even drop that not-so-subtle hint, (Dorothy’s house in The Wizard of Oz landed with less force than some of the hints I throw out there) for a DVD that will delight, a CD to set the holidays groovin’, or perhaps a way to tap into that inner child residing in all of us.

There is a treasure trove of memories, both old and new, just waiting to be had – each one wrapped in cellophane. Sure, some may scoff at the notion of receiving just a DVD rather than a Rolex watch, but when it comes to giving the gift of entertainment, it truly is the thought that counts. So, here is a holiday sampler, if you will, of the type of goodies that won’t have you rushing off to the gym to combat their negative effects on your weight.

Put the “Ho” in “Ho, Ho, Ho” with Sex & The City: The Complete Series. From the somewhat awkward breaking-the-fourth-wall episodes early in the first season to that not-so-agonizing choice (between “Mr. Big” and “The Russian”) for whom Carrie should end up with that capped off the final season, it’s all at your fingertips. And it’s even in a big pink box… how appropriate. Special features include: “Sex Essentials,” a video jukebox loaded with advice and quotes on dating, sex and fashion; “Location, Location, Location,” a guide to all the hot spots the gals frequented (maybe it will divulge where Miranda bought her men’s suits and got her hair cut short); “Naughty or Nice,” which helps you discover your inner Carrie or Samantha; “You Can Quote Me On It,” a finish-the-phrase game (like you won’t be doing that during the show – please!); and an “En-SEX-lopedia” (I don’t get it), a look into the defining moments of the show. Better ask Santa for some knee pads – this one is priced at $200! That’s a lot to pay for Sex.

If the biggest present under your tree comes attached with a card that reads, “Thank you for being a friend,” chances are it’s The Golden Girls: Season Three. Those four sassy gals are back for another go ’round on DVD, for all of those that don’t get Lifetime as part of their basic cable package. This 25-episode DVD includes not one, but three episodes where the ladies reminisce about all of that cheesecake they’ve shared! Special features include: “Golden Moments,” a montage of season three’s humorous moments (I bet Betty White’s Rose has a St. Olaf story or two, or 20, in there somewhere, and that Rue McClanahan’s Blanche sleeps with a man or two, or 20.). “The Golden Girls Scrapbook” is a collection of guffaw-inducing clips from each Girl.

If you misunderstand a hint that a friend drops and instead show up this holiday season with a little red wagon full of fat, don’t be surprised if said friend ends up jumping up and down on the couch like a crazy person. Gee, I wonder what present they really wanted? Could it be The Oprah Winfrey Show – 20th Anniversary DVD? (Reads better if you yell it like Oprah.) The six discs are as jam-packed as Oprah’s dresses used to be back in the day. There are celebrity interviews, never-seen-before footage, and what she reveals as her biggest on-air mistake: the aforementioned hauling out of the fat wagon when she lost a dramatic amount of weight. Nothing says “happy holidays” like giving someone “The Big O.”

The holidays can undoubtedly be a stressful time of year, what with all of the hint-dropping and whatnot. Why not indulge in a laugh with Margaret Cho – Assassin? With her wit as razor sharp as ever, she takes on the Bush administration and the religious right, and lends her unwavering support to same-sex marriage. A perfect DVD to pop in for the more conservative members of the family. Pass the eggnog, Aunt Betty.

How many discs make a collector’s edition complete? Is it two or three? No need to fret if you’re a Wizard of Oz fan, there are two versions for you to choose from. My bet is on the latter, as it’s an all-encompassing journey down The Yellow Brick Road, with four silent-film versions of various Oz incarnations plus a boatload of other extras.

If you didn’t know by now that Madonna has a new CD out, then shame on you; and is there room underneath that rock for two? Confessions on a Dancefloor is her return to all things dance, and every song heralds this much-anticipated return with its infectious get into the grooves. Well, except for “Isaac.” So, you think every gay boy and girl in the land will have this one by Thanksgiving, let alone the traditional gift giving holidays? Well, not if it’s the special edition, and that won’t be available until Dec.13. It features the bonus track “Fighting Spirit,” a 40-page picture book and an 80-page “blank” journal – as there are some entries from The Dancing Queen herself. (Thanks to Eric Hufford for letting me know about all things Madonna).

Also returning to their roots are Depeche Mode (did the world ever stop being the 1980s? It did?! No one sent me that memo!). Playing the Angel is a triumphant return to form – angst mixed with synthesized beats – that will make you want to have a Black Celebration.

Cyndi Lauper strips down on The Body Acoustic, revisiting such chestnuts as “Time After Time” with Sarah McLachlan, and “Sisters of Avalon” with Ani DiFranco and Vivian Green.

Record labels (yes, I said record) trot out best-of compilations around the winter months. Alanis Morissette’s The Collection highlights the songbird’s past glories and her recent updating of Seal’s “Crazy.” Dipping a toe back into the ’80s pool, I delightfully stubbed mine on The Eurythmics’ Ultimate Collection, which is much more encompassing than The Eurythmics’ Greatest Hits circa 1991.

I have a confession, and, no, I am not making it on the dance floor. I am 36 years old, and… I still play video games. So if you’re like me, you know that the best video games seem to come from movie tie-ins. Star Wars Battlefront II will satiate any fan mourning the loss of any more movies (well, the old ones, anyway). King Kong lets you play as either man or beast (is there any difference?). From Russia with Love unpacks Sean Connery’s Bond from mothballs, since Pierce Brosnan is no longer 007 and Daniel Craig’s version won’t be around for another year. Connery even provides his distinct vocals to the game.

Ah, it truly is a magical season, as I tried my best to keep the bitchy snipes to a bare minimum! Happy holidays one and all, and, until next time, that’s all the news that’s fit to print.