Who is familiar with the twelve days of Christmas?

The twelve days don’t proceed Christmas but are the days following Christmas. They are derived from religious celebrations and run from Christmas day eve (25 Dec) until the morning of Epiphany (6 Jan). A brief history and celebration practices can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Days_of_Christmas .


The Adoration of the Magi. Fresco in Lower Church, Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi


The carol “Twelve Days of Christmas” lists a stream of gifts, one for each day and repeated as the list grows.

..Day one: A partridge in a pear tree
…Day two: Two turtle doves
….Day three: Three French hens
…..Day four: Four calling birds
…….Day five: Five golden rings
……..Day six: Six geese a-laying
……….Day seven: Seven swans a-swimming
………..Day eight: Eight maids a-milking
………….Day nine: Nine ladies dancing
…………..Day ten: Ten lords a-leaping
…………….Day eleven: Eleven pipers piping
………………Day twelve: Twelve drummers drumming

To play the tune go to http://www.12days.com/library/carols/12daysofxmas.htm

This year's cost, according to the annual "Christmas Price Index" as compiled by PNC Wealth Management, tallies the single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests. The price is up $86,609 (£58,622) or 10.9 percent, from $78,100 last year. Given the economic downturn, even the most romantic might balk at this price tag

Now if one were to inclined to give the gifts, it might be wise to first visit http://www.links2love.com/christmas_letter.htm to see what the ramifications may be. (I apologize for the commercial nature of this site but the series of letters provided here is the item of interest.)

Thanks for the thought Don but I think I would prefer Santa to bring me a woolly jumper! Less trouble all round and more cost effective because I would save on heating bills.

Cheers Gillian