The 12 Days of Christmas

When Lisa and I were dating, I got the bright idea that I would give her 12 presents. That year we FIRST celebrated the ’12 Days’ of Christmas – starting on December 14 and continuing through the 25th.

Of course, back then, I had no idea that the idea behind the 12 Days is that they actually are supposed to START on the 25th and not END on Christmas Day. I also had no idea we would be starting a tradition that would continue to this day.

At any rate, no one has ever quibbled with it. We started the tradition then and it has continued throughout the course of our marriage. Holly and Paul have joined the fun and now the whole activity is a family affair.

Today begins the ’12 Days’ for 2011.

As we give each gift, we present the gift and we hum the famous Christmas tune of the same name. Lisa says she especially loves the presentation part (as much as if not slightly more than the gift itself). We’ll repeat this each day until Christmas Day (and, of course, the song gets longer and longer as we go! Occasionally, we’ve dispensed with the singing/humming).

Over the years, we have also collected a few additional items to underscore the ’12 Days’ theme. During a couple Christmas seasons, we found ’12 Days’ themed wrapping paper.

But for Lisa, the presents all come in foil paper of the same color. This year, the color is gold. Last year it was blue. Next year…who knows?

Apart  from paper, we collected a set of acrylic ornaments issued by Hallmark – each depicting one of the 12 days. My sister and parents helped us to find the most ‘challenging,’ of the items – the first and second day (which are really rare and, therefore, are collector’s items).

We have a couple other tree ornaments that are also themed for the ’12 Days.’

Interestingly, when I was thinking of writing about our observance of the 12 days, I ran across an article talking about prices of the various gifts mentioned in the song. It’s not uncommon to see an article like this each year in December.

This article, featured on yahoo, quotes experts with PNC Wealth Management. They say the cost of all 364 items repeated in the song - Dude must have a high maintenance person on his shopping list - tops $100,000 (if you were to purchase the items for current market price). Seven swans a swimming, they say, would cost around $6,300 for example.

I like our version better!

Still, I hope I don’t give the impression that we are fixated on this one particular carol. In fact, we have a number of other holiday traditions. For one, we have a collection of Coca-Cola Santas. Also, each year, we have found (and sent) Christmas cards with Cardinal themes (and always the words “Merry Christmas”). And, naturally, for obvious reasons, we have amassed tons of Hollyesque items.

You can imagine why we particularly love to wish folks “A Holly Jolly Christmas!”

Family traditions, I think, are one of the most rewarding and memorable aspects of this holidays.  I’m sure you have your own unique holiday traditions.

Those traditions are a part of family life that make it truly special.

JG  

(Source: Yahoo!)

Originally posted 12/14/2011