Happy Holidays! Teresa Giudice Heading Home From Prison For Christmas -- But Then To A Halfway House?

Teresa Giudice will be headed home for Christmas, RadarOnline.com has learned. But will she be heading to a halfway house first?

Though the authorities had left that option opened, an insider told RadarOnline.com she won’t be required to go through the transitional living arrangement.

“Teresa won't be required to go to a halfway house because that is typically for those that have been behind bars for a much longer term than the thirteen months Teresa will have served,” the insider explained. “Individuals that go to a halfway house need assistance and to be monitored as they transition back into society. Teresa wasn't sent away long enough for that to be an issue.”

Now, the source said, “She is counting down the days until she will be reunited with the family for Christmas.”

After being released, however, Giudice, 44, must get a job, which will be approved by probation officials.

One option? As RadarOnline.com reported, her sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga, is opening a boutique in Montclair, New Jersey, and "Teresa could absolutely work there,” an insider said. “It would be a natural because both ladies will be filming for RHONJ. The show would get great footage of them working together.”

Before RHONJ returns, Melissa and husband Joe Gorga will be featured in the The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In, which is set to air on October 11 on Bravo.

During the special, Joe will visit with his sister in prison, but Melissa has yet to visit, according to insiders.

Meanwhile, fans of Giudice will "be stunned at how much she has changed, for the better since serving time,” the insider said. “She no longer takes anything for granted and wants to work with women that haven't been as fortunate as she has.”