OK, so we have the anomaly cadet. Home for 30 minutes and was already bored. Asked "what are we going to do?" The boredom factor can sink in due to them being 'on' for so many hours during the day at an academy. Ours was up each morning by 0700 (she wanted to maintain a routine since the PFE is given when they get back from break).
Our solution was to go to a local gym and get a special pass for her to go and workout while we were at work. Our LA Fitness even offered our cadet a free month just because.
Lots of watching TV, going to the movies, walking around the mall, sleeping, laundry to get the stink out of stuff and taking long hot showers (be prepared for those electric, water and food bills to go up).
Getting together with friends can be a very interesting experience. They can't wait to see them and once they get together quickly figure out their college experiences are very different. They may get mad at friends who promise to meet them and show up late or cancel at the last minute. Friends won't understand that they shouldn't be drinking, party, etc. on leave.
They may spend hours online, Facebooking their friends from the Academy or on the phone trying to make arrangements to see a company mate who lives close by.
Ours was never keen on attending the Academy Ball after 4/c year, the last thing she wanted to do was put that uniform on.
For females there will be requests for manicures, pedicures and hair cuts (great Christmas gifts). We treated ours to a relaxing massage to work those stress kinks out.
The day or two before they go back don't be surprised if they get really quiet. Our cadet shared with us that until the beginning of their 2/c year she felt like she was going to get sick every time she was driven through the gate (and she LOVED it at the Academy).
They have become so independent that they may not talk too much, but as they relax they'll open up! Each and every cadet/mid has a different relationship with their family and they react differently to being home. Some want to spend the entire leave period with the family, others want to spend it with friends. Best advice, just go with the flow and let them set the pace.
As the years progressed ours spent less and less time at home during leave, choosing to go home with friends before or after Christmas.
Enjoy the holidays!
Best to you and your families