Wanna Buy Three French Hens? 2010 PNC Christmas Index

Every year since 1984, PNC Financial Services Group compiles the Christmas Index which is what it would cost to buy all of the gifts in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. I’m not sure how much value it has as a financial indicator, but it sure is fun to look at. You can view the 2010 PNC Christmas Index here.

Let’s take a look at how the cost of these items compared to last year…

First Day of Christmas

  • Partridge: $12.00 (2009: $10.00, +20.0%)
  • Pear Tree: $149.99 (2009: $149.99, 0.0%)

Second Day of Christmas

  • Two Turtle Doves: $100.00 (2009: $55.98, +78.6%)

Third Day of Christmas

  • Three French Hens: $150.00 (2009: $45.00, +233.3%). Feather Plucker!

Fourth Day of Christmas

  • Four Calling Birds: $599.96 (2009: $599.96, 0.0%)

Fifth Day of Christmas

  • Five Gold Rings: $649.95 (2009: $499.95, +30.0%). Nothing says “I love you” like buying jewelry from a pawn shop.

Sixth Day of Christmas

  • Six Geese-a-Laying: $150.00 (2009: $150.00, 0.0%)

Seventh Day of Christmas

  • Seven Swans-a-Swimming: $5,600.00 (2009: $5,250.00, +6.7%). Seriously? For why? At least the geese do some laying.

Eighth Day of Christmas

  • Eight Maids-a-Milking: $58.00 (2009: $58.00, 0.0%). They must not be unionized.

Ninth Day of Christmas

  • Nine Ladies Dancing: $6,294.03 (2009: $5,473.07, +15.0%)

Tenth Day of Christmas

  • Ten Lords-a-Leaping: $4,766.70 (2009: $4,413.61, +8.0%). I think the Nine Ladies Dancing get better tips.

Eleventh Day of Christmas

  • Eleven Pipers Piping: $2,356.20 (2009: $2,284.80, +3.1%). Please do not buy me pipers piping for Christmas or any other day.

Twelfth Day of Christmas

  • Twelve Drummers Drumming: $2,552.55 (2009: $2,475.20, +3.1%)

Total 2010 Christmas Price Index: $23,439.38 (2009: $21,465.56, +9.2%)

If you can afford to buy everything on this list, then please be my friend. Personally, I’d say stop at day six or seven and use the rest to pay down debt :)

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