The 2018 Cost of the 12 Days of Christmas

I grew up listening to the 12 days of Christmas, both the traditional version and the Hawaiian version.  I'll admit that for the longest time, I thought it was 3 French Horns because I'd never heard of a French Hen.

It was only after I started to read, I discovered how far off I was.  Around Christmas time, it is possible to find the current cost of giving the 12 days worth of gifts.

This year, I managed to find a wonderful article in Forbes which included the increase or decrease for each item. According to the article, published in November, it will cost $39,094.93 to buy all these gifts.  This is an increase of $450 over last year which comes out to a 1.2% increase.

The list, including increases is:

•  1 Partridge in a Pear Tree: $220.13 (+.1%)
• 2 Turtledoves: $375.00 (no change)
• 3 French Hens: $181.50 (no change)
• 4 Calling Birds: $599.96 (no change)
• 5 Gold Rings: $750.00 (-9.1%)
• 6 Geese-a-Laying: $390.00 (+8.3%)
• 7 Swans-a-Swimming: $13,125.00 (no change)
• 8 Maids-a-Milking: $58.00 (no change)
• 9 Ladies Dancing: $7,552.84 (no change)
• 10 Lords-a-Leaping: $10,000 (+3.0%)
• 11 Pipers Piping: $2,808.40 (+3.5%)
• 12 Drummers Drumming: $3,038.10 (+3.5%)

Much of this information comes from the PNC Christmas Price Index which for the past 35 years has calculated total cost complete with increases and decreases.  The method used to do the calculations is almost the same process as the government uses to calculate the Consumer Price Index.

Their list is done for each item with a infographic like graphic for each item along with the percent change.  Furthermore at the bottom of the webpage is a graph showing the increase of the cost, year by year, beginning in 1984.  This is a great graphic to read and interpret.

In addition, at the bottom of the page is a 12 page activity guide with everything needed  to teach lessons on this topic.  The activity includes reading data, estimating, graphing, and requires students to explain their rationale for certain things.

I know what I'll be doing next week on the last couple of days before holidays.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.