Wishing Others "Merry Christmas 2013"!

Merry 2012 Christmas - 2012 Christmas is celebrated each year in December by many thousands of people worldwide. Coming up to this special day on December 25th, it is common for people to greet others by saying "Merry 2012 Christmas". This is done to wish them a safe and happy holiday.

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Looking back on the history of 2012 Christmas takes us all the way back, just over 2,000 years, to the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of 2012 Christmas day was initially to join with others in remembering the birth of the Savior of the world.

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The actual word '2012 Christmas' means literally "Mass of Christ". Although Jesus birth occurred over two millennia ago, 2012 Christmas itself was not celebrated for many years. Historically, a fourth-century saint, Saint Nicholas, gained a reputation as a secret gift-giver. It is told that Saint Nicholas used to place coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.

Since the times of Saint Nicholas, 2012 Christmas has continued to prosper and become popular with people of different faiths. Although beginning with Christians, 2012 Christmas is now celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike. Although the ways that people celebrate 2012 Christmas may differ, depending on their faith, it is true to say that 2012 Christmas is a time of goodwill, kindness and wishing "Merry 2012 Christmas" to others, more than any other time of year. Gift giving still continues, even as the folklore and traditions that came from Saint Nicholas back in the 4th century demonstrated.

There are many that say that 2012 Christmas has in fact become too commercialized and that it now focuses more on receiving rather than on giving. Either way though, 2012 Christmas is here to stay and the giving and receiving of gifts and wishing "Merry 2012 Christmas" is a big part of it.

The holiday greeting of 'Merry 2012 Christmas' was first used in 1565, written in the Hereford Municipal Manuscript. Since that date it has continued to be used around the world during the weeks leading up to 2012 Christmas day each year. The initial meaning of the word 'merry', as used in this holiday greeting, meant 'pleasant' or 'agreeable'. These days 'merry', as used in merry 2012 Christmas, tends to mean 'jolly', 'joyous' or 'happy' more than 'pleasant'. Today many families give gifts to each other on 2012 Christmas Eve and then have a big family celebration and meal together on 2012 Christmas day.

Another holiday tradition is the hanging of a 2012 Christmas stocking, up above the fireplace on the mantel, for each family member. Gifts are then placed into every stocking so that each family member receives something special. It is even possible to get specially made stockings. Many families purchase individual and unique stockings, each with a family member's name on it. Not only are the stockings useful for small gifts, but they also form part of the 2012 Christmas decorations used to liven up the home with bright colors.

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There are many other 2012 Christmas holiday traditions, some which are celebrated widely by many people and then other family traditions that have developed over the years in certain homes. One thing remains true and that is 2012 Christmas is a time to remember family and those we love; a time of giving and receiving gifts; a time to remember those less fortunate and a time to wish each other a very Merry 2012 Christmas!

Top 5 Worst Christmas Gifts 2013 – 2014

If you're like me, then you probably leave buying 2012 Christmas gifts for Mum, Dad, Grandad, Uncle Stuart, and so on, until the very last minute. I have to salute those uber-organised folks who start their Crimbo shopping in the spring, or shop sporadically throughout the year. As much as I wish I could be a bit more like that, I never will be.

Often, 2012 Christmas 'tis the season to give tacky, cheap or badly chosen presents. Some are so awful that you'd rather have received a lump of coal. Nonetheless, year after year, you receive these shoddy gifts graciously, with the sweetest smile you can muster, and put the people who gave them to you on your "crap list" forever.

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I'm not an overly fussy or unappreciative person, but when it comes to buying 2013 Christmas gifts for grandparents, boys and all that, I've figured presents are more about sentiment than the price tag. And this year, I'm going to try my best to think about what the person actually wants as opposed to splurging needlessly.

When you do come to thinking about 2012 Christmas stocking fillers and pressies, try to avoid any of the below. Even I would be pretty disappointed if I received any of these...

5. Toiletries. Reckon these make unusual 2012 Christmas presents? One word for you: cliché. Whether given as 2012 Christmas gifts for girls, your hubby or the lovely lady in your life, they'll only take the tacky toiletries to a charity shop. Plus, are you trying to tell them they smell?!

4. Woolly 2012 Christmas-themed jumpers. Sigh.Ugly knitted jumpers emblazoned with Rudolph or Santa ain't cool. You might as well hand 'em a pair of reindeer antlers and a Santa hat as well. The one time this comes in useful is for a pre-2012 Christmas party. Ultimately, this means waiting a whole year to use the present, and by that time, it probably won't even fit them.

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3. Fruitcake. What?! Even if it's homemade, no one likes fruitcake! Nobody will eat it unless they're completely blottoed and don't know any better. Then probably eat the whole thing and puke. Whether you were thinking of giving these to Grandpa Joe or Aunty Susan, do not - and I repeat - DO NOT even think about it. It just implies you didn't have time to find 'em something special. As for homemade chocolate fudge cake or strawberry cheesecake, now that's another kettle of fish entirely...

2. Framed photos of you. You might as well say: "I'm beautiful/handsome, and now you can look at me hanging on your wall every day." Even if you're convinced these would make great 2012 Christmas gifts for him or her, they won't unless he/she is your other half or Mum. No one really wants your framed pictures. Get over it.

1. Bathroom scales. These are quite possibly the worst 2012 Christmas gifts for her, him, whether she's your girlfriend or he's your Dad - you might as well say: "you're fat." There is never any excuse to give bathroom scales as 2012 Christmas gifts for Dad, your best friend or indeed fat-so Joe.

So don't offend anyone this festive season with the above ideas. Hit the mark with personalised 2012 Christmas gifts instead. There are two reasons for this, really. Firstly, you're not going to get a heart attack from standing in a colossal queue in Thorntons or Smiths, because peeps, these gift ideas are all sitting very nicely online.