Most people are familiar with the "12 Days of Christmas" song, which has been sung since the 1780s. It's arguably the most famous (and perhaps less beloved) traditional carol of all time. The song narrates the story of someone receiving a seemingly endless list of gifts from their true love over the 12 days following Christmas.

Ever wondered just how many gifts that true love actually gave? Let’s unravel this carol mystery together!

What Are the Lyrics to the Song?

If you’re not acquainted with the song, here’s a mathematical breakdown of the lyrics. See if you can keep count!

• “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: a Partridge in a Pear Tree” (1 gift)
• “On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree” (2 + 1 = 3 gifts, totaling 4 gifts so far)
• “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” (3 + 2 + 1 = 6 gifts on day 3, making it 10 in total)
• “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” (4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10 gifts on day 4)
• “On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15 gifts on day 5)
• “On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 21 gifts on day 6, totaling 56 so far)
• “On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 28 gifts)
• “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 gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 36 gifts on day 8, bringing the total to 84)
• “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 gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 45 gifts)
• “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 gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 55 gifts, totaling 220 so far)
• “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 gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree” (11 + 10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 66 gifts)
• “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 gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!” (12 + 11 + 10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 78 gifts)

How Many Gifts Did You Count in Total?

To figure out the total number of gifts given throughout the 12 days, we need to add up all the gifts received by the 12th day.

In other words, we need to calculate the 12th Tetrahedral number. Using a bit of algebra, there’s a formula that allows us to find the ‘nth’ tetrahedral number without needing to calculate all the previous ones:

T(n)=16×n×(n+1)×(n+2)T(n) = \frac{1}{6} \times n \times (n+1) \times (n+2)T(n)=61​×n×(n+1)×(n+2)

Now, simply substitute ‘n’ with 12 (the twelfth tetrahedral number), and you’ve solved the puzzle!

T(12)=16×12×13×14=364T(12) = \frac{1}{6} \times 12 \times 13 \times 14 = 364T(12)=61​×12×13×14=364

So, there you have it! Your true love has given you a grand total of 364 gifts over the 12 Days of Christmas. That’s almost one gift per day for an entire year—just one gift short (or two in a leap year). But with that many gifts, including 42 geese a-laying, 36 ladies dancing, and 12 drummers drumming, who’s really counting?

What Are the 12 Days of Christmas Gifts?

1. Day 1: A partridge in a pear tree
2. Day 2: Two turtle doves
3. Day 3: Three French hens
4. Day 4: Four calling birds
5. Day 5: Five golden rings
6. Day 6: Six geese a-laying
7. Day 7: Seven swans a-swimming
8. Day 8: Eight maids a-milking
9. Day 9: Nine ladies dancing
10. Day 10: Ten lords a-leaping
11. Day 11: Eleven pipers piping
12. Day 12: Twelve drummers drumming

How Much Would It Cost to Buy the Twelve Days of Christmas Gifts?

Now that we know you’d need to purchase 364 gifts, it’s clear this would be a costly endeavor! For the past 40 years, the American bank PNC has published the Christmas Price Index, which calculates (in dollars, of course) how much the Twelve Days of Christmas gifts would cost. Just for reference, in 2023, two turtle doves (you’d need 22 in total) would set you back $750 (around £594). The total for all 364 gifts? About $46,729.86 or £37,007.71!

What Are the 12 Days of Christmas?

According to Christian tradition, the 12 Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, mark the period between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the three wise men. These religious celebrations begin on Christmas Day, December 25th, and conclude on January 6th, also known as Three Kings Day.

If you're looking for modern Christmas gift ideas that won't break the bank, check out some inspiration here: Design Dazzel