The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Christmas Recount

By Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

6 December 2000

One of my favorite lighthearted Christmas songs dates back to the Middle Ages.

It's "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

I was always curious about the 12 days of this song, but in my reading I have found that the only holidays that were celebrated at that time were mostly religious holidays, so lord and peasants tried to extend such festivities as long as possible.

Christmas became not one day, but 12 extending from Christmas to Epiphany, which is when the Wise Men arrived with their gifts, thus initiating the tradition of giving presents at Christmas.

In the wealthy castles, a gift on each of the 12 days was not unusual. It was said that is what inspired this lively song. According to a Reader's Digest songbook that explains the background of this son, even the poorest could afford to sing about them even if they could not afford a gift.

This lively song dates back to the 16th century, when this type of courting song was fashionable.

I thought Christmas 2000 would be appropriate for a recount of the gifts a man might "send" his true love. Some of the items of today may be obsolete or no longer in sync with the times, so I will suggest some substitutions for this year:

DEC. 25th: The first day of Christmas instead of a "patridge in a pear tree," send a "Betta Fish in a Floral Vase"

DEC. 26th: The second day of Christmas instead of "two turtle doves, send two "Cardinal birds" or for me, two "Cubbie bears."

DEC. 27th: The third day of Christmas instead of "three French hens," send "three chocolate truffles" (Godiva)

DEC. 28th: The fourth day of Christmas, instead of "four calling birds," send "four calling cards" (Make sure they are activated when you buy them.)

DEC. 29th: The fifth day of Christmas, sending five golden rings is nice if there are some pierced rings for the ears, nose, lips, but most "true loves" prefer a ring with "five precious stones!"

DEC. 30th: The sixth day of Christmas, instead of "six geese a laying" a better nest egg would be "six bank certificates."

DEC. 31st: The seventh day of Christmas, instead of "seven swans a swimming" delight her more with "seven Vikings passing." (Especially if they are still headed for the Superbowl!)

JAN. 1st: The eighth day of Christmas, instead of "eight maids a milking" send her "eight massage therapists."

JAN. 2nd: The ninth day of Christmas, instead of "nine ladies dancing," send her "nine personal trainers."

JAN. 3rd: The tenth day of Christmas, instead of "ten lords a leaping," send her "ten stocks a soaring."

JAN. 4th: The eleventh day of Christmas, insted of "eleven pipers piping," send her "eleven concert singers."

JAN. 5th: The twelfth day of Christmas, instead of "twelve drummers drumming," a true love would expect "twelve red roses blooming."

Of course the 12 days can be recounted and 12 gifts can be changed to fit her desires, but the tune remains the same each year.

The moral of this recount is, if your true love was worth counting once, then she is with recounting again. So keep on repeating that little diddie and let her know she can count on you, too.