The Twelve Days of Christmas Jewelry

Posted by Laurie Zeiden on Dec 23, 2016

The Twelve Days of Christmas is an English Christmas carol first published in 1780 as a rhyme. In 1909 English composer Frederic Austin added the familiar music as well as the word "on" which starts each verse.

Translations and versions vary around the world, so for this jewelry photo showing, I'll include the familiar gifts given as well as some less well-known gift items. Also, I'll include the faith-based symbolism of each gift.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE

In most interpretations of the song, this represents Jesus

Pin by Art

Pin by Mylu

On the Second Day of Christmas my true love gave to me TWO TURTLE DOVES

Representing the Old and New Testaments

Unsigned Scatter Pins

9k Gold and Gold Tone Bible Charms

Unsigned Pins

On the Third Day of Christmas my true love gave to me THREE FRENCH HENS

Representing Faith, Hope and Love or Faith, Hope and Charity, the three Theological Virtues

Silver Pin by Meka

On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me FOUR CALLING BIRDS

This verse is varied around the world and the gift includes COLLY BIRDS, which are black birds, CANARY BIRDS or COLORED BIRDS
The birds represent the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Lapel Pin

Pin by Mamselle

On the Fifth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me FIVE GOLDEN RINGS

Representing the first five books of the Old Testament

Gold and Enamel Masonic Ring seen from various angles

On the Sixth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me SIX GEESE A-LAYING

This verse is sometimes sung with DUCKS A-LAYING
They represent the six days of creation

Coro Jelly Belly Duck Pin

Mexican Silver Goose Pendant

On the Seventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING

Representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit or the Holy Sacraments: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy

Unsigned Pin

Eisenberg Pin

Swarovski Pin

On the Eighth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING

This verse's gift varies around the world and includes HARES A-RUNNING, HOUNDS A-RUNNING or BOYS A-SINGING
They represent the Eight Beatitudes

Unsigned Fur Clips

Silver Earrings by Lex and Pin by Krementz

Boucher Pin and Beaucraft Pin

On the Ninth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me NINE LADIES DANCING

This verse is sometimes sung as LADIES SPINNING or BADGERS BAITING
They represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
Factoid: This verse and subsequent verses are often reordered.

Pins by Artel

Boucher Pin

Unsigned Pin

On the Tenth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me TEN LORDS A-LEAPING

This verse is sometimes sung with BULLS A-BEATING
This represents the Ten Commandments

Silver Pendant

Pin by DeNicoloa

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING

This verse is sometimes sung with SHIPS A-SAILING or BEARS A-BEATING
They represent the eleven faithful Apostles

Unsigned Pin

Unsigned Cuff Links

Silver Bracelet by PAR, Mexico

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING

This verse is sometimes sung with COCKS A-CROWING or ASSES RACING
Representing the Twelve Points of Belief in The Apostles' Creed

Horn and Silver Charm or Pendant

Pins by Gerrys and Trifari

Pins by Krementz and JJ

SNOPES SAYS IT'S NOT TRUE

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly and many believe that this song was written during that time as a coded reference to the faith. According to Snopes.com that is not true and is a mid-20th-century idea with no historic basis in truth.

THE CUMULATIVE COST OF THE GIFTS

In 1984 PNC Bank began calculating the cost of all the gifts given through the 12th day....that's 364 items!

Two pricing charts were created: the Christmas Price Index and the True Cost of Christmas. The first is an index of the current costs of one set of each of the gifts given. The other is the cumulative cost of all the gifts with the repetitions listed in the song. Oh, and the people mentioned in the song are hired, not purchased.

The total costs of all goods and services for the 2015 Christmas Price Index is just over $34,000 and the true cost of Christmas is just under $155,000 for all 364 items.