Christmas for a song: $21,465.56

Published: Nov. 30, 2009 at 10:02 AM

NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The 12 outlandish gifts represented in the Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," rose slightly in cost this year, a private U.S. survey said.

With the price of gold up sharply, the five gold rings now cost $499.95, a 42.9 percent jump over last year's price, PNC Wealth Management reported Monday.

PNC Wealth Management, which has priced out the 12 gifts for 26 years, said the seven swans-a-swimming cost $5,200 in 2009, a 6.3 percent drop from last year. Six geese now cost $150, while two turtle doves and three French hens cost about $100.

The partridge is a bargain this year: $10, compared with $20 in 2008. The pear tree is now priced at $149.99, a decline of 25 percent from a year ago.

In total, the 12 items cost $21,465.56, although shoppers in the "True Love" category, who buy the gifts each time they are repeated in the song, would need to shell out $87,402.81 for 364 gifts, a slight bump of 0.9 percent over 2008.

The 12 lords-a-leaping, nine drummers drumming and 10 pipers piping broke even while the price of 11 ladies dancing rose 15 percent, PNC said.

In addition, eight maids-a-milking received and automatic raise and cost $58 this year.

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