If you get a DVD player for Christmas, make sure to look into Netflix for your DVD rentals. NetFlix sends rental DVDs by mail and lets you keep them for as long as you want for $19.95 a month. You can watch as many movies as you like but you have to return old movies before you get new ones. There are no late fees.
According to this article, the company is in sound financial shape – a rarity for an Internet company. My experiences with them over the last eighteen months have all been positive – titles have been in stock, shipping has been exceptionally fast, and problems were dealt with instantly and with no questions asked. Give it a try!