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12 Gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas — Based on the Song

Celebrate your true love this Christmas with fewer birds and more chocolate.

Autumn Micketti

Nov 15, 2024

It's hard not to get the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" stuck in your head. But after happily belting "five gold rings" like we're Pavarotti, does anyone really remember what comes after that? Somehow it turns into abstract interpretations, with six slimy socks, seven dogs digging, and eight monkeys grooming (those are the words, right?). Then, as soon as we reach number five, people run in from other rooms to join in. You might want to study the lyrics before caroling around the neighborhood this year.

The story behind "Twelve Days of Christmas"

The earliest version of this Christmas carol appeared in a British children's book called Mirth With-out Mischief in 1780. Some theories point to the song having French origins. However, most historians agree that the song was originally created as a memory-and-forfeits-game, in which singers tested their ability to recite the lyrics perfectly and had to give their opponents a forfeit — a favor of some kind — if they made a mistake. The song we know today didn't appear until 1909, when it was arranged by English composer Frederic Austin.

While it may seem like a fun idea to gift someone the 12 days of Christmas, it's also incredibly expensive. According to the Christmas Price Index, it would have cost you nearly $50,000! And who really needs 12 drummers drumming...

Instead, we've compiled a list of Christmas gifts for each day in the song that won't break the bank — and won't turn your house into a home for a marching band.

On the first day of Christmas...

A partridge in a pear tree

days of christmas pears

On the first day of Christmas...

A partridge in a pear tree

Shop : Royal Riviera® Christmas Pears from Harry & David

Of course we went with pears. How can we not? Giving pears at Christmas has a lengthy history that dates back to the 19th century, and the tradition remains strong to this day with the iconic, delicious, and buttery Royal Riviera® Pears.

Shop : Royal Riviera® Christmas Pears from Harry & David


On the second day of Christmas...

Two turtle doves

days of christmas doves

On the second day of Christmas...

Two turtle doves

Shop : Crystal Studded Love Doves Hanging Ornament from 1-800-Flowers.com

Add some more flare to your tree with an ornament showing two doves smooching. Doves symbolize peace, freedom, and love, which is a gift that you really can't wrap. And it's a great gift to give, even if it's not Christmas.

Shop : Crystal Studded Love Doves Hanging Ornament from 1-800-Flowers.com


On the third day of Christmas...

Three French hens

days of christmas french macarons

On the third day of Christmas...

Three French hens

Shop : Duck Confit - 3 Legs  from Harry & David

Say oui to turning your Christmas dinner into a French one. Start with charcuterie and cheese. Then cook up a superb filet mignon. For dessert, choose from a Bûche de Noël or classic macarons. Wash everything down with wine or a French sparkling cider. If you really want to include a hen, we have plenty of chicken recipes to choose from.

Shop : Duck Confit - 3 Legs  from Harry & David


On the fourth day of Christmas...

Four calling birds

days of christmas bird utensils

On the fourth day of Christmas...

Four calling birds

Shop : Love Birds Personalized Beechwood Utensils- 4pc Set from Personalization Mall

The holidays are made for eating, and the Love Birds Personalized Beechwood Utensils are the perfect tools for your Christmas feast. These make perfect stocking stuffers or a lovely hostess gift. A set of four utensils, including a slotted spoon and spatula, is made out of beautiful beechwood and comes with a custom message and a pair of lovebirds and hearts engraved on the handles.

Shop : Love Birds Personalized Beechwood Utensils- 4pc Set from Personalization Mall


On the fifth day of Christmas...

Five gold rings

days of christmas coffee cake

On the fifth day of Christmas...

Five gold rings

Shop : Apple Streusel Walnut Coffee Cake from Wolferman's Bakery

Yes, we know this is a cake, but look at its shape! It's a giant ring! Just order five of them, and this part of the song is complete. With flavors like Chocolate Vanilla Swirl, Apple Streusel Walnut, Blueberry, and Cinnamon Sour Cream, you may always want it to be the fifth day of Christmas.

Shop : Apple Streusel Walnut Coffee Cake from Wolferman's Bakery


On the sixth day of Christmas...Six geese a-laying

Six geese a-laying

days of christmas sixth day gooseneck tea kettle

On the sixth day of Christmas...Six geese a-laying

Six geese a-laying

Depending on where you live, it's usually cold at Christmas. I wish it snowed more, but that's just me. Anywho, warm up your guests and yourself with a cup of hot tea made with water poured at just the right temperature from a barista-quality kettle that somehow looks like a gooseneck.


On the seventh day of Christmas...

Seven swans a-swimming

days of christmas music box

On the seventh day of Christmas...

Seven swans a-swimming

Shop : My First Personalized Jewelry Box from Personalization Mall

The last thing you want to deal with on Christmas morning is an actual swan. Instead, opt for the My First Personalized Jewelry Box that plays the music from "Swan Lake." The box can be personalized with a name and custom message right on the beveled, mirrored glass top. The sweet ballerina figure inside may inspire some Christmas ballet recitals as well.

Shop : My First Personalized Jewelry Box from Personalization Mall


On the eighth day of Christmas...

Eight maids a-milking

days of christmas th day cheese assortment

On the eighth day of Christmas...

Eight maids a-milking

Shop : Gourmet Cheese Assortment from Harry & David

Bring in the holidays with an assortment of delicious cheeses that we're certain you'll milk for all their worth (see what we did there?). This Gourmet Cheese Assortment offers flavors for every palate, from Caves of Faribault St. Pete's Blue Cheese (a sweet yet peppery blue cheese) to Point Reyes Farmstead Toma Cheese (a semi-hard Italian cow's milk cheese with a buttery flavor and grassy tang finish). Serve with some crackers, dried fruit, and maybe a dip or two, and you've got a delicious holiday charcuterie board.

Shop : Gourmet Cheese Assortment from Harry & David


On the ninth day of Christmas...

Nine ladies dancing

days of christmas heart charm

On the ninth day of Christmas...

Nine ladies dancing

Shop : Dance Wish Bracelet from 1-800-Flowers.com

Give the dancer in your life the perfect gift with this Dance Wish Bracelet. The idea of this bracelet is to make a wish, tie the bracelet around your wrist, and then when it falls off, your wish will come true. They'll surely be dancing all the way through New Year's with this one.

Shop : Dance Wish Bracelet from 1-800-Flowers.com


On the tenth day of Christmas...

Ten lords a-leaping

days of christmas neuhaus chocolate

On the tenth day of Christmas...

Ten lords a-leaping

The lord of the manor will leap for joy when he unwraps this Neuhaus 10 Flavor Belgian Chocolate Squares Gift. This assortment of delicious bites has something for every chocolate lover, with flavors such as orange, caramel, coffee, and raspberry. With 60 individually wrapped squares, there's plenty to go around.


On the eleventh day of Christmas...

Eleven pipers piping

days of christmas chocolate covered jalapenos

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

Eleven pipers piping

Shop : Chocolate-Covered Jalapeños from Harry & David

Give them something piping hot this season with Chocolate-Covered Jalapeños. These spicy delights bring both the heat and the sweet, as they come covered in white, milk, and dark chocolate. Now you just need some hot cocoa to wash these peppers down.

Shop : Chocolate-Covered Jalapeños from Harry & David


On the twelfth day of Christmas...

Twelve drummers drumming

days of christmas th day moose munch popcorn drum

On the twelfth day of Christmas...

Twelve drummers drumming

Shop : Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn Holiday Drum from Harry & David

Add some sweet and savory to their holidays with the Moose Munch Premium Popcorn Holiday Drum. This gift includes flavors like classic caramel and dark chocolate. Once they've picked out the popcorn from their teeth, they can flip the container over and bang in the season with some holiday drumming (sorry, mom).

Shop : Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn Holiday Drum from Harry & David


For delivery before Christmas, order by:

  • Dec. 18 for standard shipping (4-7 business days)

  • Dec. 19 for express shipping (3 business days)

  • Dec. 22 for super express (2 business days)
  • Dec. 23 for overnight shipping (1 business day)

For more information about shipping, click here.


For more holiday gifting inspiration, check out our other gift guides

Editor's Picks: The Best New Gifts for the Holidays
The Greatest Stocking Stuffer Ideas
The Sweetest Holiday Gifts for Her
Gifts for Him That Will Make His Holiday Sweet and Savory
Best Gift Baskets for People Who Love to Eat
Best Wine Baskets: Gifts for Any Wine Lover
The Most Delicious Gifts Under $
Holiday Gifts for Employees: Amazing Picks to Lift Office Spirits
Ideas for Your Holiday Gift Exchanges
Gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas Based on the Song
The Final Countdown: Last Minute Gift Ideas for Christmas