Make a list, check it twice. Make sure your list is balanced and appropriate for the kids you're buying for. Books and music-download certificates nicely complement movies and video games. Did you check the ratings and recommended ages before buying items on kids' lists? Better do so -- especially for games and DVDs.

Give stuff you can enjoy with your kids. Why would you want them seeing something you can’t stand? There's plenty of entertainment out there that's fun for the whole family. Consider getting your kids something you can both engage in, instead of going for the video game that will end up keeping them captive in their room for the entire holiday break.

Create rules around media use. Kids are eager to get through the gifts and settle in with their latest digital device. Make a trade-off, and set time limits before your kids go near the Wii -- like reading for an hour before or after. All these media gifts are a privilege, not a right -- one kids can earn by using media responsibly.

Tell your family your preferences. Before aunts, uncles, and grandparents buy a copy of the latest shoot-'em-up video game for your 6-year-old, give them some guidelines about what is and isn't right for your kids. The last thing you need is your kids thinking you're Scrooge for taking away their latest Bratz DVD or banning their new cell phone.

Finally, make 'em move. If your kids have been couch potatoes for the better part of the morning, make sure the afternoon includes some moving around. The best present you can give your kids is to model good media behavior so that they build lifelong healthy habits.