ACTUAL COSTS OF THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
As part of its annual tradition, PNC Wealth Management also tabulates the "True Cost of Christmas," which is the total cost of items gifted by a True Love who repeats all of the song's verses.
The last holiday season (2008), very generous True Loves paid more than ever before -- $19,507.25 -- for all 364 items, up from $21,080.10 in 2007.
At 8.1, the increase in 2008's PNC CPI over the previous year was the second largest, percentage-wise, in the index's history. The largest jump was an incredible 16.0% jump in 2003.
Good news for Christmas 2009 - if you if you actually have a job and / or money. The costs for Christmas 2009 should be down (supply and demand and all that) with the probable exception
of the gold rings because of the jump in the price of gold. Ho. Ho.
2011 UPDATE:
The price tag for the PNC CPI is $24,263.18 in 2011, $823.80 more than last year and less than half the increase seen in 2010
The price of the Seven Swans-a-Swimming, which typically provides the biggest swings from year to year in the PNC CPI, based on supply and demand, rose by 12.5 percent, almost double last year's rise of 6.7 percent, to $6,300. That was the biggest dollar increase this year, up $700, a 12.5 percent boost.
Among the 12 gifts in the PNC CPI, four items (Three French Hens, Eight Maids-a-Milking, Nine Ladies Dancing, and 10 Lords-a-Leaping) were the same price as last year. Merchants may maintain their prices to attract reluctant buyers.
The 11 Pipers Piping ($2,427.60) and 12 Drummers Drumming ($2,629.90) saw modest increases, both up 3.0 percent.
The cost of feed as well as availability sent The Two Turtle Doves soaring 25.0 percent (still weaker than the 78.6 percent in 2010) to $125 but the Three French Hens stayed even at $150. The Partridge increased 14.2 percent to a still affordable $15, although its home, the Pear Tree, increased 13.3 percent to $169.99, bucking the national trend of declining house prices. Perhaps Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will see this as a signal that stronger housing prices are coming back.
As a contrast, the Four Calling Birds dropped in price by 13.3 percent, to $519.96.
2007 - 2008 PNC Christmas Price Index
|
Item
|
2007
|
2008
|
% change
|
|
One partridge
|
$15
|
$20
|
33.3%
|
|
Pear tree
|
$89.99
|
$199.99
|
33.3%
|
|
Two turtle doves
|
$40
|
$55
|
37.5%
|
|
Three French hens
|
$45
|
$30
|
-33.3%
|
|
Four calling birds
|
$599.96
|
$599.96
|
0%
|
|
Five gold rings
|
$395
|
$349
|
11.6%
|
|
Six geese a-laying
|
$360
|
$240
|
-33.3%
|
|
Seven swans a-swimming
|
$4,200
|
$5,600
|
33.3%
|
|
Eight maids a-milking
|
$46.80
|
$52.40
|
12%
|
|
Nine ladies dancing
|
$4,759.19
|
$4,759.19
|
0%
|
|
10 lords a-leaping
|
$4,285.06
|
$4,413.61
|
3.00%
|
|
11 pipers piping
|
$2,213.40
|
$2,284.80
|
3.2%
|
|
12 drummers drumming
|
$2,397.85
|
$2,475.20
|
3.2%
|
|
Total Christmas Price Index
|
$19,507.25
|
$21,080.10
|
8.1%
|
2005 - 2006 PNC Christmas Price Index
|
Item
|
2005
|
2006
|
% change
|
|
One partridge
|
$15
|
$15
|
flat
|
|
Pear tree
|
$89.99
|
$129.99
|
44.40%
|
|
Two turtle doves
|
$40
|
$40
|
flat
|
|
Three French hens
|
$45
|
$45
|
flat
|
|
Four calling birds
|
$399.96
|
$479.96
|
20.00%
|
|
Five gold rings
|
$325
|
$325
|
flat
|
|
Six geese a-laying
|
$300
|
$300
|
flat
|
|
Seven swans a-swimming
|
$4,200
|
$4,200
|
flat
|
|
Eight maids a-milking
|
$41.20
|
$41.20
|
flat
|
|
Nine ladies dancing
|
$4,576.14
|
$4,759.19
|
4.00%
|
|
10 lords a-leaping
|
$4,039.08
|
$4,160.25
|
3.00%
|
|
11 pipers piping
|
$2,053.20
|
$2,124
|
3.40%
|
|
12 drummers drumming
|
$2,224.30
|
$2,301
|
3.40%
|
|
Total Christmas Price Index
|
$18,348.87
|
$18,920.59
|
3.10%
|
BEWARE - of the FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ramifications of
The 12 Days of Christmas ...
 
Repercussions can be severe -- in addition to the costs listed above -- there can be massive legal fees incurred...
You can follow the 12 Days of Christmas gift-giving process and see the most unfortunate results of sending its suggested presents, gifts and items to your love..
THE RIGHT GIFTS
|
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"Tokens of My
Affection" ---
SET OF 10 LOVE TOKENS
Hugs, Kisses, Massages, Love and Wishes to share all year long...
What could be cuter
than metal
Love Tokens?
Great stocking stuffers...come in their own red pouch.
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