Ready to sing this Christmas Eve?
Love it or hate it, if you are a member of my family you participate in a family sing-a-long on Christmas Eve. Thanks to my mom, who says the tradition is fun, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and any significant others (event new boyfriends or girlfriends) were tapped to participate in singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the cumulative song of increasingly grand gifts given during Christmas time.
When I was younger my mom and I made large poster board cards for each verse – even drew festive illustrations that represented its corresponding gift. These were passed around to family members to assign everyone a verse to sing.
My mom, who was the star (more on that in a moment), said she particularly loves this annual tradition “because we all get to choose a verse to sing and act silly.” Some of my cousins begged for the highest number possible so they didn’t have to sing many rounds. Then there was my cousin Jacqueline and I who ALWAYS wanted “A partridge in a pear tree.” We either loved the attention or thought we were amazing singers (perhaps both!). And then there was my mom, known for shining rendition of “Five golden rings,” the toughest octave to hit in the entire song.
The tradition even influenced gift giving. One year one of my cousins bought my mom a 12 Days of Christmas themed wine glass set. Perhaps a hint to loosen up the rest of our family before singing.
Cheers mom. I’m thankful for her and this memorable Christmas tradition.
Be sure to join us this year and belt it out this Christmas (lyrics below).
P.S. I can’t help but share this spoof Millennial version that’s gone viral:
The 12 Days of Christmas
[Verse 1]
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 2]
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 3]
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 4]
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 5]
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 6]
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 7]
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 8]
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 9]
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 10]
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 11]
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 12]
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming
Eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree