This year, Christmas falls on a Sunday. Therefore, most companies are observing the Christmas 2005 holiday by giving their employees Monday, December 26 off. Most elementary and high-school students will receive that full week off, not returning to school until January 3rd, and most college students get a full month-long break from mid-December to mid-January. So if you find yourself looking for something to do on your Christmas 2005 holiday break, here are just a few suggestions.

For those who only have December 26th off, you have to choose wisely. Fortunately, the best thing to do on the day after Christmas has always been to take advantage of the after Christmas sales. Christmas 2005 will be no different. With a lagging economy in recent months, retailers will be going after every last dollar they can get. Those shopping at the after Christmas 2005 sales can expect deep discounts and incentives. If shopping isn't your thing, you could choose to take your one day off to rest up after the Christmas activities. Popular after Christmas traditions include taking down the Christmas tree with your family, eating leftovers and otherwise just enjoying each others company.

For all of the students out there who have a long xmas break, the choices of things to do are nearly endless. Of course, there's always the option of getting a job over the xmas break, but this can sometimes be hard to do when you're only going to be available for a week or a month; although, stores may be hiring part-time help for those after Christmas 2005 sales. Also, babysitting will be in high demand over the holiday break, as parents scramble to find people to look after their younger children who will be home on the xmas break.

For younger students who only have a week off, again it's all about maximizing your time. There are plenty of good movies coming out for the Christmas 2005 season - so that's one great option. The epic King Kong is getting rave reviews from movie critics, as is The Chronicle of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Best of all, movie theaters often have more afternoon shows, at cheaper prices, during the holiday break.

For young students and college students alike, volunteering is also a good option. Soup kitchens, the United Way and other charitable organizations will be looking for help to clean up after the holiday rush, so any help will be appreciated. Whether you want to volunteer for just a few hours, or for the whole month that you are off, just contact the local chapter of your favorite charitable organization and they'll be able to help set you up with a volunteer opportunity.

Traveling is always a fun thing to do over school breaks. For the Christmas 2005 break, you can still find last-minute travel deals. Some good websites to check out include Travelocity.com and Skyauction.com. Both sites offer last-minute travel options at incredible prices. Just make sure you have your passport up-to-date and ready to go.

Whatever you choose to do for the Christmas 2005 break, be sure to play it safe. For those of drinking age, remember to always find a designated driver before you go out. And for those will be traveling, be sure to leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Most important - have fun!