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The first thing that needs to be clarified about the 12 days of Christmas is that they are not the 12 days that lead to Christmas, as is popularly held, but rather the span of time between 25th December and 6th January. In other words, these are the 12 days starting from Christmas till the offset of Epiphany. However, there is a lot of confusion regarding the origin of the 12 days of Christmas and that is usually associated with variations in Church customs and Church calendars. Even the manner in which these 12 days of Christmas is celebrated is unique to every culture.
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Interestingly, the 12 days of Christmas is a period which is marked by unrestrained feting and feasting.
While on the one hand, the pleasing notes of the Christmas carols fill the air, on the other, the whole city seems to be bathed in the brightness of countless flashing lights. This is also the perfect season to stimulate the gourmet in us with wassail, plum pudding and roasted goose satisfying our appetites. Exciting activities and fun-filled parties are also the characteristic features of these 12 days of Christmas.
The most striking aspect of the 12 days of Christmas is the custom of exchanging Christmas gifts. Every year people come up with fresher gift ideas which could be anything from a 15 ounce can of pears with the image of a partridge labeled on it for the first day to a drum-shaped container stuffed with M&Ms for the last day. A collection of the twelve most favorite Christmas stories is also a very uncommon 12 days of Christmas gift idea. Mark Roberts Twelve Days of Christmas Ornament set having 12 beautiful ornaments would also make a great 12 days of Christmas gift.
It is remarkable that there is also a very well-known English Christmas carol by the name of 12 days of Christmas. In this 'cumulative song' the gifts given by "my true lover" to "me" have been mentioned and they are 1 partridge in a pear tree, 2 turtle doves, 3 French hens, 4 calling birds, 5 golden rings, 6 geese a-laying, 7swans a-swimming, 8 maids a-milking, 9 ladies dancing, 10 lords a-leaping, 11 pipers piping and finally, 12 drummers drumming. However, it was Jeff Foxworthy who increased the popularity of the song in his famous album, Redneck 12 days of Christmas. Foxworthy's version, however, parodies the Christmas carol and substitutes 12 days of Christmas gifts with modern-day presents.
To further participate in the gala affairs of 12 days of Christmas, keep browsing through the pages of Christmasonnet
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