Some spend Christmas morning in the kitchen, preparing a feast for all the family.

Others like to open presents, or are away from home.

But for a round-up of Christmas 2012 in pictures - from the troops in Afghanistan to Santa bringing gifts to the giraffes, llamas, lemurs and meerkats of Blair Drummond Safari Park - see our slideshow below.

christmas 2012

Swimmers brave the bracing British winter temperatures in the sea at Exmouth


Ho ho ho! Have a very merry Christmas.

Loading Slideshow...

  • Exmouth Christmas Day swim

    Young men pose up before hitting the sea at Exmouth for the annual Christmas Day swim.

  • Christmas presents unwrapped

    George (top) and William Thompson unwrap their presents on Christmas day morning at home in Stockport.

  • Troops in Afghanistan

    1 SCOTS Kingsman Tony McSkimming from Carlisle (left) and Sergeant Ryan King celebrate Christmas in main operating base (MOB) Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

  • Troops in Afghanistan

    1 LANCS Sergeant Allen Prest from Ayr celebrates Christmas in main operating base (MOB) Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

  • Troops in Afghanistan

    British troops celebrate Christmas in main operating base (MOB) Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan with a fun run.

  • Exmouth Christmas Day swim

    Frenzied swimmers take to the sea amidst splashing at Exmouth for the annual Christmas Day swim.

  • Exmouth Christmas Day swim

    Friends Danni Channisey (left), 21, and Stephanie Emerson, 22, brave the bracing British Winter temperatures in the sea at Exmouth for the annual Christmas Day swim.

  • Exmouth Christmas Day swim

    Swimmers brave the bracing British winter temperatures in the sea at Exmouth for the annual Christmas Day swim.

  • Blair Drummond Safari Park at Christmas

    Sea Lion Keeper Sam Clark gets a kiss from Bella the sea lion under the mistletoe on Christmas Day at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling as staff get in the festive spirit.

  • Winter weather Dec 25th

    A flooded rugby field near Burton On Trent, Staffordshire, as hopes of a white Christmas were washed out today as many Britons awoke to Yuletide flooding.

  • Winter weather Dec 25th

    Flood and road closed signs at Walton On Trent, South Derbyshire, as hopes of a white Christmas were washed out today as many Britons awoke to Yuletide flooding.

  • Blair Drummond Safari Park at Christmas

    Alan Leach does his morning round dressed as Santa on Christmas Day feeding the llamas at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling.

  • Blair Drummond Safari Park at Christmas

    Alan Leach does his morning round dressed as Santa on Christmas Day feeding the meerkats at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling.

  • Blair Drummond Safari Park at Christmas

    Alan Leach does his morning round dressed as Santa on Christmas Day feeding the giraffes at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling.

  • Winter weather Dec 25th

    Swans paddle in a flooded Stapenhill Gardens in Burton On Trent, Staffordshire, as hopes of a white Christmas were washed out as many Britons awoke to Yuletide flooding.

  • Blair Drummond Safari Park at Christmas

    Alan Leach does his morning round dressed as Santa on Christmas Day feeding the meerkats at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling.

  • Royal attends Christmas Day church service

    Princess Beatrice after she attended St Mary Magdalene Church, on the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk for the traditional Christmas Day church service.

  • Royal attends Christmas Day church service

    Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall after they attended St Mary Magdalene Church, on the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk for the traditional Christmas Day church service.

  • Royal attends Christmas Day church service

    Queen Elizabeth II receives a bag of dog treats for her corgis by a girl in the crowd after she attended St Mary Magdalene Church, on the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk for the traditional Christmas Day church service.

  • Royal attends Christmas Day church service

    The Duke of Edinburgh leads other members of the royal family to attend St Mary Magdalene Church, on the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk for the traditional Christmas Day church service.