Christmas is arguably the best time of year. It is a time of sharing and spreading happiness with family, friends, and those all around you. However, even though the holiday is great, the following week is almost as good as the day itself.

First of all, it is safe to say that gift cards and cash are popular choices for presents. Once you receive them as gifts, the following week gives you a chance to go out to use your gift cards and spend your money. Not to say that you should spend all of your Christmas money all at once, but the upcoming week gives you the opportunity to spend it if you see something you like.

Then there are the after-Christmas sales. Thus giving you the perfect chance to buy decorations for next year, candy, or gifts for yourself or others. Everything will be cheap, or at least cheaper than it would be before Christmas. Giving you either a head start to next year or perhaps a little chocolate pick-me-up.

Christmas time is known for having a large amount of candy, and if your stocking is anything like mine, candy fills quite a bit of it. No, I don't eat every piece in one day. Making the week after Christmas full of candy and therefore, happiness.

Along with the leftover candy comes the leftover Christmas feast. Your leftover meals will be top notch for a least a few days after the special day.

You are also able to start using or wearing the gifts you have received. Return the gifts you don't like and get new ones. Although the joy and anticipation help make Christmas magical, actually getting the chance to use the gifts is pretty sweet.

Students are also still on break. After Christmas comes New Year's; therefore, students will have that time off of school. While this may or may not be a great thing for parents, it is definitely a reason for students to celebrate.

Anything you bought online for Christmas that didn't show up in time is also bound to show up in this time frame. Giving you a nice little reminder of Christmas as well as getting everything checked off of your to do list.

And most of all, it still feels like Christmas. You and everyone else will still have their tree, lights, and decorations up for at least a little while. People are still happy and not afraid to show it. In a way, it feels like a continued version of Christmas.

By far, Christmas is my, as well as many others, favorite holiday. There is something beautiful in the air that fills into the souls of just about everyone. It makes it even better that we can keep up this magical atmosphere although the day is over and done with.