In the traditional holiday carol called " The Twelve Days of Christmas," what is the total number of gifts given?   How many of each gift were given in this song?


Here is the carol:


On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partidge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two turtle doves and a partidge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three French hens, two turtle doves and a partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge 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 partidge in a pear tree.



Solution to the Problem:

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.
In 2021, the cost of all 364 gifts was $179,454.

Click here for an update of the costs




An Explanation of the Carol

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element of the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ.
"Two turtledoves" were the Old and New Testaments.

"Three French hens" stood for faith, hope and love.
The "four calling birds" were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The "five golden rings" recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The "six geese a-laying" stood for the six days of creation.

"Seven swans a-swimming" represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The "eight maids a-milking" were the eight beatitudes.

"Nine ladies dancing" were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit -- Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
The "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments.

The "eleven pipers piping" stood for the 11 faithful disciples.
The "twelve drummers drumming" symbolized the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.



Correctly solved by:

1. Kirstine Wynn Winchester, VA
2. Ryan Charest Winchester, VA
3. Richard Mocarski VA Tech
4. Ryan Throckmorton Winchester, VA
5. Joe Vance Winchester, VA
6. Erin McGinnis Winchester, VA