• Home
  • Gift Guides
    • Gifts for Her
    • Gifts for Him
  • Jewelry & Fashion
  • Home Decor
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • NHL
  • Occasions
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Christmas
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Anniversary
    • Wedding
    • New Year
    • Birthday
  • Shop Our Site

Where Did the 12 Days of Christmas Come from Anyway?

By The Bradford Exchange • November 12, 2020 • Christmas
12 Days of Christmas
0
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

It happens every year around the holiday season. You’ll be Christmas shopping, running errands in the car, or enjoying time with the family and then… you hear it. Playing on the radio, from a television advertisement, or even on the lips of your children or grandchildren. The familiar verses of that perennial classic: “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Whether you sing along out loud or not, one thing is certain – that festive, bouncy Christmas counting song will be in your head for the rest of the day, or for days to come (most catchy tunes do).

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “where did these 12 days of Christmas come from anyway?” The easy answer is that the tune and lyrics, as we generally know them, were put together by English composer Frederic Austin and introduced to the public in 1909. But, when this catchy ditty gets stuck on repeat, maybe the real question to ask is “what does it all mean?” I mean, 4 calling birds? 10 lords a-leaping? There has to be some reason and logic behind it all. Come to find out, there is.

One little known fact is that the 12 days of Christmas do not refer to the 12 days leading up to Christmas. They actually don’t begin until Christmas Day, and last through January 6, marking the time of the birth of Christ until the coming of the Magi (the three kings or wisemen) in history. And while the gift giving of the Magi does not directly parallel the gift giving of the “true love” in the popular song, many have drawn a correlation between the numbers, days and gifts and their assumed symbolism within Christmas traditions.

When you look back at the origins of the song, before Frederic Austin popularized it, historians believed it all started as a game – a memory game meant to keep children entertained. We have many variations of it today. Each round tested a child’s ability to recall all the verse chants that came before their turn and gave them a chance to add their own verse to challenge the next player.

Of course, the very specific song verses of “The 12 Days of Christmas” are not anything any of us will forget any time soon. But just in case you need a refresher, we have listed them below for your enjoyment.

Day One: A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Day Two: 2 Turtle Doves

Day Three: 3 French Hens

Day Four: 4 Calling Birds

Day Five: 5 Gold Rings

Day Six: 6 Geese A-Laying

Day Seven: 7 Swans A-Swimming

Day Eight: 8 Maids A-Milking

Day Nine: 9 Ladies Dancing

Day Ten: 10 Lords A-Leaping

Day Eleven: 11 Pipers Piping

Day Twelve: 12 Drummers Drumming

Now that we have set the mood, have you started humming the tune yet? Thanks so much for reading our blog. We hoped you liked hearing a little bit more of the background and history behind a Christmas classic that will probably be around for many, many seasons to come. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all!

Check out our 2020 Christmas gift guide to find gift ideas for everyone on your list!

Where Did the 12 Days of Christmas Come from Anyway? by The Bradford Exchange

About The Bradford Exchange

The Gift Advisors @The Bradford Exchange are thrilled to help you discover a wealth of artistic treasures, all of which began with passion. Whether you are looking for that perfect personalized gift or a unique collection for yourself, we are driven to make your shopping experience as joyful as possible and hope you are surprised and delighted with what you find. Thank you for your continued support.

0
SHARES
FacebookTwitter
Tweet
0
5 Tips to Help You Find the Perfect Christmas Gift
How to Perfectly Wrap a Christmas Gift: 10 Easy Steps

You Might Also Like

  • 14 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas to Help Finish Your List

  • Top 7 Christmas Gifts for Grandmothers: Buyer’s Guide 2020

  • 7 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts for Moms

  • Top 7 Personalized Gifts for Christmas 2020

No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

    Popular Posts

    Perpetual Calendars to Make Every Day Special

    On December 26, 2017
    01

    15 Times Personalized Gifts Said It Best

    On October 5, 2015
    02

    Top 10 Jewelry Gifts for Mother’s Day

    On March 30, 2015
    03

    5 Times Precious Moments Said It Best

    On July 20, 2018
    04

    The Hidden Meaning Behind Amethyst — February’s Birthstone

    On February 9, 2018
    05

    Recent Posts

    • 5 Winning Daughter Gifts For Every Occasion
    • 7 Best Gifts for Daughters in 2021
    • The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Every Budget
    • Top 5 Romantic Rings for Valentine’s Day
    • 10 Best Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Wife in 2021

    Subscribe & Follow

    Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

    Copyright ©2017 The Bradford Exchange Online and Collectibles Today�. All rights reserved.