The best products to beat winter cabin fever

Are the cold, dark winter days getting you down? Run out of ideas to entertain your loved ones? Good Housekeeping highlights the best in gadgets, Web sites and products to cure your family's seasonal restlessness.

Perfect popcorn
Movies mean popcorn — but why put up with the additives (and added cost) of many packaged microwave popcorns? Make your own fluffy kernels in a microwave popcorn popper, basically a lidded bowl into which you measure 1/3 cup kernels and cook on High until popping slows. (A microwave-safe bowl topped with a microwave-safe plate also works, though not as well, in a pinch.)

Be sure to season before serving. Some tasty options: grated Parmesan and black pepper; cinnamon-sugar; curry powder and golden raisins; or chili powder and pumpkin seeds. Yum!                          

Top poppers: The Presto PowerPop ($20) earned a near-perfect score for performance. It produced light, fluffy kernels and left few unpopped duds with several brands of popcorn. To achieve such excellent results, it uses a special heat-concentrating insert that must be replaced after 12 to 24 uses — a pack of eight is included, and additional packs cost $1.58.

If you don’t want to fuss with inserts, Back to Basics Microwave Popcorn Popper ($13) is a good choice at a lower price. Our testers commented that the bright red bowl is convenient and can double as a cute serving bowl.

Best universal remotes
An evening watching TV is relaxing — once you figure out which clicker turns it on. Simplify things with a universal remote. GHRI tested 12 new units with TVs, DVD players, a VCR, a set-top box, and a stereo.

Pricey but powerful: The cost of overall winner Logitech Harmony One ($250) may cause some jaw dropping, but for a high-tech home of up to 15 devices, this remote is worth it. Computer software baby-steps you through programming. Once set, tap “watch DVD” on the touch screen, and your system springs to life like movie magic.

The workhorse: In second place, Universal Remote Control R6 ($25) is a well-priced pick for a max of six devices. Programming uses punch-in codes, although for 10 major brands, it has quick setup. Like Logitech, it also has the ability to learn commands from the old remote.

Bargain clicker: For simple systems, RCA’s RCR4383 ($13) is a good buy. It controls just four devices, and the logically placed buttons earned it our top score for ease of use once programmed.

Movie-swapping sites
Don’t be snowbound with nothing to watch. Boost your viewing options: Trade your old movies for someone else’s at a DVD-swapping Web site. We tested seven, exchanging "The Little Mermaid" for either "Batman Begins" or "High School Musical." Two earned our endorsement:

Swapadvd.com was the easiest to navigate and use, with an excellent search engine, printable shipping labels, and a queue that tells you about when to expect the DVD. Trades aren’t made one-for-one, meaning you don’t need to find a Batman owner who likes mermaids. After posting a list of 10 DVDs, you earn a credit that allows you to request a movie. As you send your DVDs to other traders you earn more credits. The only cost to you is the postage to ship your DVD, about $2.

Switchplanet.com works similarly and is also a social-networking site where users can discuss movies, books, games, and music. One demerit: Customer service wasn’t very responsive.

Web Site photo books
Create a holiday keepsake and a fun family project by making a photo book online. Of the 14 sites tested, these four proved user-friendly with really great results.

Overall winner: Shutterfly.com scored near or at the top of almost every test. The site is smartly laid out, making it easy to create a beautiful photo album in a few clicks. Shutterfly excelled from start to finish, with more than 100 page layouts, multiple designing options, and good photo quality, applauded by our photo editors. A20-page 8 ½ by 11” hardcover book costs about $42 (all prices include tax and shipping).

For Mac users: In second place, Apple’s iPhoto program (part of iLife software, standard on Macs since 2003, or $79 for upgrade) lets you organize and design layouts right on your hard drive--no need to upload your photos to a site. Backgrounds and layouts are limited, but our consumers liked what they saw, scoring the finished product highly for style. A 20-page 8½“ by 11” hardcover book costs about $40. Mac only.

Value selection: Despite its low price, the photo quality of the book from cvsphotocenter.com rated the highest with our photo editors. The site was relatively simple to use and earned strong marks for ease of upload and book-delivery time, but it didn’t have as many creative options as others tested. However, at just under $25, a 20-page 8” by 11” hardcover book is a great deal, especially if you want to order copies for relatives.

Most versatile: Ourhubbub.com offers basic layouts or allows total artistic freedom, letting you choose everything from photo size and placement to caption fonts and more. Of course, so much control means a project can become a daylong event. Our sample book’s cover rated well with consumers, and with over 50 styles to choose from, you’re sure to find a fave. A 8 3/4” by 11” hardcover costs about $45.

iPod docking stations
No need to only listen to your iPod through those tiny earphones that come with your player. The new iPod docking stations amplify your favorite playlists at home — in your den, dining room, bedroom, or even bath. Which docks deliver the best sound quality, varied features, and great looks? To find out, we tested 32 at a variety of prices for usability (How hard is setup? Can you easily adjust the volume?) and performance (How’s the sound quality? What special features are included?) as well as appearance. Here’s how they did:

More than $250

TOWER 2.1, MSTATION ($299)
With its intuitive controls, great audio, and a subwoofer to boost the bass, MStation’s Tower s a sound investment. The only flat note: Some testers complained the tall speaker took up too much space. Comes with a remote, docking adapters to fit any model of iPod including the iPhone, and a cable to attach it to a computer or other electronic device. (mstation.com)

$160 to $250

CD-X10i, TEAC ($199)
Consumers raved about TEAC’s sound and style. It’s fully loaded with a subwoofer, CD player, digital AM/FM radio, clock, sleep timer, and wall-mountable speakers. A minor negative is that the bulky remote control has a confusing layout. It can play all iPods including the iPhone, which will fit snuggly with the included adapters. (teac.com)

VERS 2X, VERS ($180)
For an admirable player in a chic package, the Vers 2X strikes the right chord. The speakers are housed in a sleek wooden cabinet. The remote has a useful playlist feature to more easily access your favorite mixes. One disappointment: sub-par customer service. A remote control, iPod dock adapters, and an auxiliary cable are included. In cherry, walnut and dark walnut veneer, or bamboo for $20 more. (versaudio.com)

$150 and under

2.1 STEREO ORB, MSTATION ($130)
The mStation is a compact package with a dedicated subwoofer to boost the base—a less expensive packaging of the MStation Tower, our overall winner. Testers loved this product and found the remote actually worked well. The package comes with iPod dock docks, and a cable for connecting to other electronics. In seven colors: white, black, blue, green, pink, silver, and red. (mstation.com)

MI 1111, MEMOREX ($100)
In addition to playing your iPod, the Memorex Mi1111 lets you access the airwaves on the digital AM/FM radio with station presets and spin your favorite discs in the top-loading CD player. It comes with a remote, though most testers weren’t impressed, since it wasn’t reactive unless aimed straight on. iPod dock adapters are included. In black or white. (Memorex.com)

For more great ideas and products for your home, visit Good Housekeeping.

More about home and garden Tips to make kids’s interest in gardening grow 11 unexpected allergy culprits | 10 ways to help Gallery: Your favorite outdoor memories   Video: Tips for growing a summer garden More home and garden stories

More from TODAY Oh yes! Think your way to better sex Ambush! From librarian to 'hot grandmother' | Video YouTube smash: Babies on skates | See the entire video   Where is Michael Jackson’s body?  |   Custody fight?   The Week in Pictures | More photos

MORE FROM HOME & GARDEN

Home & Garden Section Front

How safe is the lock on your door?   Same space, different take   The best mosquito repellents Tweet! Tweet! How to attract songbirds at home   Banned drain covers still used in public pools 240,000 in-wall electronic timers recalled   DIY dos and don’ts Grow kids’ interest in gardening with these tips Rats! They’re on your turf. Now what?   Getting along with your neighbors Home & Garden Section Front   Add Home & Garden headlines to your news reader: