The 12 days of Christmas, folklore claims, is a story (now a carol) that the Christians put together to instruct the children in the Catholic Faith when the faith was being persecuted.
Here is how the Carol goes -
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree
Symbolizing Jesus Christ
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 2 turtle doves
To signify that the Bible is divided into 2 parts – The Old Testament and the New Testament
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 3 French Hens
Symbolizing Love, Hope and Faith
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 4 Colly birds
The 4 Gospels – Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 5 Gold rings
Representing the first 5 books of the Bible called the Torah Law
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 6 Geese a laying
Symbolizing the 6 Days of Creation
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 7 Swans a swimming
Symbolizing the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit – Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exortation, Mercy, Contribution and Leadership
On the eight day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 8 Maids a milking
The 8 Beatitudes
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 9 Drummers drumming
Representing the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, self control and patience
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 10 Pipers piping
The 10 Commandments
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 11 Ladies dancing
To tell us about the 11 faithful disciples
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 12 Lords a leaping
Symbolizing the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed
This prompted me to think along the 12 Days of Christmas lines while I was thinking of what to get Pri and Ryan for Christmas. So this is what I did.
For every day of Christmas (12 days) I left a gift under their tree corresponding to the day. These are what I thought of, you could think of other items to use as gifts.
First Day of Christmas – One potted plant
Second Day of Christmas – 2 handkerchiefs (one each)
Third Day of Christmas – 3 Magnets
Fourth Day of Christmas – 4 Candy Canes
Fifth Day of Christmas – A set of 5 boxes containing 5 exotic spices
Sixth Day of Christmas – 6 Chocolates
Seventh Day of Christmas – A comic strip wall hanging with 7 “Love Is” comics
Eight Day of Christmas – 8 marshmellows
Nineth Day of Christmas – 9 pieces of Christmas decoration for their tree
Tenth Day of Christmas – A set of 10 tea lights
Eleventh Day of Christmas – 11 handmade gift tags
Twelfth Day of Christmas – A CD with 12 love songs
) – yup I even went shopping on the 24th morning!
), Michelle and the kiddos came over in the evening. Spent some fun time with the kids and watched the excitement with which they found the presents that Santa left for them under the Christmas Tree.
