CBS Soap Recipes by Dani

The 12 Days of Christmas

As of late, soaps have been concentrating on the family dynamic more than sex, business, and crime that became popular in the 70's and 80's for daytime and primetime dramas. We still get a fair share of all of the above mentioned, but family togetherness, be it by blood or non-relation, is stressed more and more. Children, young actors and actresses, grace the small screen with their own storylines, rather than their parents dominating and only mentioning children until they are grown. With the influx of youths on screen, they seem to be changing the way the adult storylines flow. In addition, the youth we see, most often daily, have very real problems that they handle in mature and wise ways, giving back to the backbone of family and being kind to one another. So this article is dedicated to the children and young actors/actresses of daytime television.

Christmas has been so commercialized in this country that most of today's youth does not know the real meaning of Christmas and the symbolism of typical Christmas depictions and favored characters. Christmas is celebrated in a majority of American and European households, though not all celebrate under the Christian belief system. A lot of modern religions have a similar holiday celebrated on the same or close to dates, so this article can be exercised and hopefully picked up as a tradition in your family regardless of your beliefs.

Growing up, my favorite Christmas carol was always The 12 Days of Christmas. In high school my best friend began giving me a Christmas ornament for each of the 12 days of Christmas. When I had my daughter, I began the same tradition with her each year. Since she is a child, I substituted a nice piece of candy that I bought special for this occasion. Each night, beginning on that of Dec. 25/26, I would leave a token or candy out for my daughter until the night of Jan. 5/6. I have found in the ten years I have been doing this, that she learns the real meaning of Christmas and about the symbolism that we look at every year at this time and think nothing about. I am not religious nor is my family, so we celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas simply for fun. Regardless of how your family believes, this is a fun and educational way to extend the Christmas spirit into the New Year.

Collect 12 trinkets, Christmas ornaments, anything really you think the recipient would like. There is no expected value. For some adults 12 different Christmas cards are just as acceptable. I personally like to use chocolates because that is what my daughter likes.

Beginning on the night of December 25 and every night until the night of Jan. 5/6, leave your designated item with a note or card indicating what day of Christmas it is, what “my true love gave to me” (i.e. three French hens, five golden rings, etc) and if you wish, explain the religious significance which you can find on the Internet. To really enjoy this practice, be diligent in ensuring you leave the items out each night and talk to you kids or loved ones about the tradition.

Below are the lyrics to the song. Also if you are out on a road trip with your kids and family, say going to Grandma's house, sing this son in the car with each person taking an item and singing that line each time the countdown comes around. Many great innocent family memories can be made simply by enjoying a children's Christmas carol. You may be surprised when your kids are older what they remember. It won't be the hottest video game or Tickle-me Elmo, but a simple little family sing-along and piece of candy will stay with them for years to come.

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

AS ALWAYS, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT AMOUNTS, VARIATIONS, OR SUBSTITUTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT thevelvetchef@yahoo.com

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Page updated 2/28/13