To many people, the holiday season culminates in waking up on Christmas morning and th entire family opening presents. After sifting through gifts good and the disappointments set in, there’s often a sense of "What do we do next?".

Thank Santa for gambling options abound even on Christmas Day! As long as there are sporting games, and as long as odds are available – sports betting will be one of the things to do while trapped at home waiting for the day after Christmas.

These televised Christmas sporting events are a holiday cheer for TV networks. Millions of people are watching, allowing the networks to charge top dollar for advertising slots. Even online bookmakers are expecting a huge betting turnaround this season due to blockbuster matchups in the NBA, NFL, college football and even in some European football games.

The NBA is offering two headliners on Christmas Day starting with a colossal matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat [Sports Betting Index). The focus would not only be on Shaq vs Kobe or Wade vs Kobe but also the coaches of the two protagonists. Pat Riley and Phil Jackson are undoubtedly two of the best coaches in the history of the NBA with a combined 13 NBA championship rings.

In another slambang affair, it will be a rematch of the 2005 NBA Finals with the victorious San Antonio Spurs going to the Motor City to face the league-leading Detroit Pistons. It will be different this time as the Spurs parade new faces (Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel) while Pistons have been almost unbeatable these past few days. Basketball Odds (NBA & College) at VIPSports

The NFL's Christmas weekend 2005 is offering fans a full plate of games. The best matchup on paper is scheduled for Christmas Eve between Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts and the surprising Seattle Seahawks. On Christmas Day, one of the league's oldest rivalries resumes when the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers take the field. NFL Football Week 16 Ods at Bodog

In college football, wagering fans can bet on lesser-known bowl games because the big betting actions, including the elite Rose and Orange bowl games that form part of the Bowl Championship Series, take place on January 1, and in the days following.

A feast of Premiership football matches are coming your way over the Christmas and New Year period. Four round of matches within the short space of just ten days! Some cracking football matches to look out for including: Michael Owen's return to Anfield, Premiership leaders Chelsea play hosts to stuttering Fulham, Gunners have a London battle at the Valley while Man Utd look to pile the misery on West Brom and Wigan have a date with the Citizens! Soccer odds at SportsInteraction

Not interested in sports betting but wish to bet on a specific event? Whether you think it will snow on Christmas Day or the world will end tomorrow (not that you will be around to collect your winnings!), some online sportsbooks offer propositions on "Christmas".

Beyond sports betting, there's always round the clock gambling available in the online poker rooms, online casinos and online bingo halls! Much like the discount room deals in Vegas, online gambling sites pony up a bunch of bonus and promotion offers to lure and keep people in. Ahh, but the real gamblers don't need encouragement. Gambling goes on, every friggin day, baby!

Bonus and promotions to check out:
$500K Freeroll [TITAN Poker]
$100 bonus on $100 deposit – exclusive only with this link[Bodog]
Up to $600 bonus[VIPCasinos]
Gamble all you want for 15 Minutes Free! [7Sultans Casino]