The 23rd Annual PNC Wealth Management Christmas Price Index showed that
rising wages for milkmaids, the higher gold price, and rising food prices would
push the cost of funding the holiday song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" up
to $19,507 this year. "Each year, the Christmas Price Index reflects trends in
the broader economy," said James Dunigan, managing executive of investments
for PNC Wealth Management, which produces a humorous economic analysis
based on the song each year.

"This year, increased commodities prices, concerns about the value of the
dollar and the first minimum wage increase in 10 years were major factors
in the increases to the Christmas Price Index."

He said the rise in gift prices mirrored the U.S. government's Consumer Price
Index, a widely used measure of inflation, which is up 3.5 percent so far this
year.

An increase in the price of gold, which is now trading at around $836 an ounce,
will make it more expensive to buy five gold rings on the fifth day of Christmas.
Five gold rings are estimated at $395, up 21.5 percent from 2006.

"The cost of the gold rings in this year's Christmas Price Index reflects the
general trend of increasing commodity prices in the Consumer Price Index,
including gold," said Dunigan. "In addition, increased fears about inflation and
the value of the dollar may have led investors to turn to gold as a safer place
to invest their money."

The maids-a-milking on the eighth day of Christmas, the only unskilled laborers
in the index, got a wage rise this year with the U.S. Congress increasing the
minimum wage. This will takes their costs up by 13.6 percent. 

While the cost of most performers in the index -- drummers drumming on day
12, pipers piping on day 11, and lords-a-leaping on day 10 -- rose between three
and four percent, due mainly to an increase in their compensation. Only the price
for the ladies dancing on day nine was unchanged, according to Philadelphia dance
company Philadanco.

The National Aviary estimated the cost of six geese-a-laying on day six was up
20 percent from a year ago.

 

"Food prices have increased over the last year, which has not impacted birds
like turtle doves (day two) and partridges (day one), but has had an impact on
birds traditionally served as food, like geese," said Dunigan.

Aside from the geese, only the calling birds on day four will cost more in 2007
with a national pet store chain estimating prices for calling birds, or canaries,
were up 25 percent due to higher demand and increased shipping costs.

                               


                    THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 
                                                 A Satire

Dearest Tim:

I went to the door today and the postman had delivered a partridge in a
pear tree.  What a thoroughly delightful gift!  I could not have been more
surprised.
                                    
                                Thank you, with love and deepest devotion

Dearest Tim:

Today the postman brought your sweet gift.  Just imagine!  Two turtle doves.
I am just delighted at your thoughtfulness—they’re adorable.

                                
                                All my love

Dearest Tim:

Oh aren’t you the extravagant one. Now I must protest.  I don’t deserve
Such generosity.  Three French hens!!! They are just darling, but I must
insist, you have been too kind.

                                
                                Thank you lovingly

Dearest Tim:

Today, the postman delivered four calling birds.  Now really, they are
beautiful… but don’t’ you think enough is enough???  You are being too  
romantic
                                Affectionately

Dearest Tim:

What a surprise!!! Today the postman delivered five golden rings---one for
each finger.  You are just impossible, but I love it.  Frankly, all of those
birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves.
   
                                With all my love 

Dear Tim:

What gives?  When I opened the door today, there were actually six geese
alaying on my front porch.  So you are back to the birds again huh?   
These geese are huge!  Where will I keep them?  They poop all over the place. 
The neighbors are complaining and I can’t sleep through all of the racket! 
Please stop!

                                    Sincerely yours

Tim:

What’s with the birds?  Seven swans a swimming.  What kind of sick joke is
this?  They crap all over the place and they never shut up!  I can’t sleep
at night and I am a nervous wreck

                                
                                    Respectfully yours

Hey #1 Jerk:

I think I prefer the birds… what the heck am I going to do with eight maids
a milking?  And of course they had to bring their damn cows.  The neighbors
have called the cops on me.  I can’t even get out of my house!

                    
                                      Stop!

Listen Butthead:

What’s with the ladies dancing?  They are chasing the birds all over the
yard scaring the cows as the maids are milking!  The neighbors have started
a petition because I am in violation of the CC&R’s

                                    You’ll get yours!

You Dirty So-n-So:

Now there are ten Lords-a Leaping.  They are chasing the ladies dancing
and the maids a milking. This is all going on outside my house while those
damn birds keep squawking.  The Neighborhood Services Division along with
Animal Control of the City have cited me because of flagrant violation of 
city code

                                    I mean business!

You Bastard:

Now I have 11 pipers piping along with the lords a leaping and the ladies
dancing and the maids a milking.  It’s a massive orgy and I am under police
investigation for running a house of ill repute.  All 23 birds are dead;   
they were trampled in the stampede by the cows during the orgy.  I hope
you are satisfied you stupid moron.

                                    Your Eternal Enemy

Dear Sir:

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve drummers drumming-which
you have seen fit to inflict on our client.  The destruction of her residence,
the eviction of her by her landlord by your actions will all be brought to
the attention of the court. Until then if you should attempt to contact our
client, the guards at the sanatorium have been instructed to shoot you on sight.

                                   Respectfully,

                                   Dewey, Cheatem & Howe