Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle-doves and a partridge in a pear tree. Sure, it sounds sort of nice, but who could afford all those birds in this economy?
Just the four final days of gifts mentioned in “The 12 Days of Christmas” song would cost a “true love” nearly $2,000 today, according to the annual PNC Christmas Price Index report. Buying all 12 days of gifts this holiday season would set that “true love” back $46,729.86, a 2.7% increase over last year.
According to Vox, “the 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day).”
Since at least the late 1700s, people have been singing “The 12 Days of Christmas” carol. It’s written from the perspective of a person who has received 12 days of gifts from their “true love,” mostly birds and various performers, such as the highest ticket item this year, 10 lords-a-leaping.
“Some historians think the song could be French in origin, but most agree it was designed as a ‘memory and forfeits’ game, in which singers tested their recall of the lyrics and had to award their opponents a ‘forfeit’ – a kiss or a favor of some kind – if they made a mistake,” Vox explained.
For the past 40 years, the PNC has calculated how much it would cost to buy the gifts as a fun holiday compliment to the Consumer Price Index. Back in 1984, when the tradition started, gifts from all 12 days cost $20,023.57. Here’s a breakdown of what how expensive they are today:
· A partridge in a pear tree: $319.18 (up 13.9%)
· Two turtle-doves: $750 (up 25%)
· Three French hens: $330 (up 3.5%)
· Four calling birds: $599.96 (flat)
· Five golden rings: $1,245 (flat)
· Six geese-a-laying: $780 (8.3%)
· Seven swans-a-swimming: $13,125 (flat)
· Eight maids-a-milking: $58 (flat)
· Nine ladies dancing: $8,308 (flat)
· 10 lords-a-Leaping: $14,539.20 (up 4%)
· 11 pipers piping: $3,207.38 (up 6.2%)
· 12 drummers drumming: $3,468.02 (up 6.2%)
“It’s fun to look back at the index over the years and see what has changed and how closely that has mirrored consumer behavior and the economy,” said Rebekah McCahan, PNC senior investment and portfolio strategist. “Clearly we’ve seen a shift from an index focused on goods to one more heavily tilted to the service and entertainment sectors over time.”
McCahan’s has been responsible for compiling prices for the index for the past 38 of its 40 years.
“She uses a variety of sources to calculate the numbers, including national bird suppliers, a hatchery and waterfowl farm, and a national pet store chain for the bird prices.
A nursery provides the pear tree price; a jeweler assists with the five gold rings; and a Philadelphia-based dance company provides the price of the ladies dancing. The Eight Maids-a-Milking are priced according to the federal minimum wage,” said PNC.
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