CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: 2008 STYLE
2008 is the twenty-fourth year that PNC has calculated the cost of gifts given on the twelve days of Christmas. The background of this story is in two previous posts.
An explanation of the song: Most people assume that the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” is secular music. They are surprised to learn it was written for religions reasons.
There was a period in England, circa 1558-1829, when it was a crime to be a Catholic, and the law banned them from any private or public practice of their faith. (To continue reading this post click on THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2007-A )
The value of the gifts: According to the PNC press release announcing what the “true love” pays to purchase all the gifts on his Christmas list (as laid out in the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas”), the total cost can be calculated four different ways: the purchase of one set of items for each day (77 items) or “True Cost of Christmas,” the total cost of items gifted by a True Love who repeats the gift-giving in all of the song’s verses (364 items), for both traditional and Internet shopping.
2007 is the twenty-third year the gift costs have been calculated by PNC. (to continue this post click on 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2007-B)
2008 UPDATE: Romanticists who seek to purchase the gifts in the list of the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, might have to be more creative in their search for the items this year in order to economize. This year had the second biggest increase in the history of the gift cost analysis done by the PNC. The total cost of the gifts came to $21,080, making the total $1,573 above what they cost last year. This is an 8.1 percent rise in price using the Consumer Price Index. In contrast, the Consumer Price Index in general rose 3.7 percent. The increases reflect the trends of the broader economy. One factor affecting the cost were concerns about increased energy and shipping costs. Another was jobs, and a third was a second straight minimum wage increase, according to James Dunigan, managing executive of investments for PNC Wealth Management.
Because swans a-swimming are so scarce, they had a whopping 33.3% percent price index, costing $5,600, or $1,400 more than in 2007. Turtle doves increased in price from $40 to $56, or 37.5%. Pear trees rose in price 33.3%, from $149.99 to $199.99.
Because of the increase in federal minimum wage, from $5.85 to $6.55 an hour, the unskilled laborers, eight maids a-milking, received a raise. However, they will cost only $5.60 more this year, for a total of $52.40.
The cost of the performers, that is, the drummers frumming, pipers piping and Lords-a-leaping, rose only 3%, reflecting the rise in cost-of-living.
Some of the items on the list dropped in price. Gold rings cost 11.4% less this year, because retailers are attempting to sell more luxury items. The three French hens, at $30, had a price drop of 33.3 percent, while the six cost of the six geese-a-laying dropped to $240, also 33.3 percent. The four calling birds cost the same as last year, or $599.96.
To view the PNC’s price chart visit their updated Web site at www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com
ADDITIONAL READING:
Christmas
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2007-A
DEER HEAD FOUND IN MAILBOX—A GIFT?
Santa Claus
SANTAS, MRS. SANTAS, ELVES & REINDEER WANTED: Please apply—Application #1
SANTAS, MRS. SANTAS, ELF and REINDEER WANTED: Application #2
Dear SANTA from COCHRAN
SANTA IS DEAD!
DEAR A’NONNIEMOUSE FROM COCHRAN (COCKROACH)
(SANTA) SUED FOR NON-SUPPORT
Other
CHILDISH CHARACTERISTICS
SHORT TRIP FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON To Ligonier, PA
“DATING WHEN FIFTY-SOME:” A Guy’s Version
ALL SUMMER IN A DAY: The Use of Descriptive Language
Фильм сумерки 2 видео
Comment by Cooncormicrow — May 16, 2010 @ 10:51 pm |