Here are the words to the traditional holiday carol called " The Twelve Days of Christmas:
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
a partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me
two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me
three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in
a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
eight maids-a-milking,
seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking,
seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking,
seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
eleven pipers piping,
ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking,
seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping,
ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking,
seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
The total number of gifts given is 364.
| Gift | Number of Gifts Given |
|---|---|
| Partridges | 12 x 1 = 12 |
| Turtle Doves | 11 x 2 = 22 |
| French Hens | 10 x 3 = 30 |
| Calling Birds | 9 x 4 = 36 |
| Gold Rings | 8 x 5 = 40 |
| Geese-a-laying | 7 x 6 = 42 |
| Swans-a-swimming | 6 x 7 = 42 |
| Maids-a-milking | 5 x 8 = 40 |
| Ladies Dancing | 4 x 9 = 36 |
| Lords-a-leaping | 3 x 10 = 30 |
| Pipers Piping | 2 x 11 = 22 |
| Drummers Drumming | 1 x 12 = 12 |
| Total | 364 |
The Cost of the Twelve Days of Christmas
Each year since 1984, the economists at Pittsburgh's PNC Bank have published their "Christmas Price Index" -- the cost of purchasing all 364 gifts in the holiday carol above.
In 1984, the cost of all 364 gifts was $23,613.
In 1995, the cost of all 364 gifts was $51,764.
In 1998, the cost of all 364 gifts was $58,405.
In 2006, the cost of all 364 gifts was $75,122.
In 2007, the cost of all 364 gifts was $78,100.
In 2009, the cost of all 364 gifts was $87,403.
In 2012, the cost of all 364 gifts was $107,300.
In 2014, the cost of all 364 gifts was $116,273.
In 2017, the cost of all 364 gifts was $157,558.
Here is a breakdown of the total cost of each of the gifts for 2014 as compared to 2013:
- Partridge, $20; last year: $15
- Pear tree, $188; last year: $184
- Two turtle doves, $125; last year: same
- Three French hens, $181; last year: $165
- Four calling birds (canaries), $600; last year: same
- Five gold rings, $750; last year: same
- Six geese-a-laying, $360; last year: $210
- Seven swans a-swimming, $7,000; last year: same
- Eight maids a-milking, $58; last year: same
- Nine ladies dancing (per performance), $7,553; last year: same
- 10 lords a-leaping (per performance), $5,348; last year: $5,243
- 11 pipers piping (per performance), $2,635; last year: same
- 12 drummers drumming (per performance), $2,855; last year: same
Click here for the PNC Christmas Price Index"