The 12 Days Of Christmas Just Got 8.1% More Expensive
It looks like Christmas is going to be expensive this year. According to PNC Wealth Management, which has been tracking the cost of all 12 items in the Christmas classic “The 12 Days of Christmas” for 24 years now, the cost of pleasing your True Love comes in at a whopping $21,080 for 2008, or $1,573 more than last year.
I’m Starting A Swan Farm
The main driver behind this year’s 8.1% increase is a sharp up-tick in the price of seven swans a-swimming. Due to their rarity, those seven swimming swans will cost upwards of $5,600 this year, or more than 33% more than just 12 months ago. No word yet on what has caused this sudden swan shortage, but I blame Bush.
Other big gainers in this year’s index were seen by turtle doves (37.5%), partridges (33.3%), and pear trees (33.3%). Milk maids also received a 27% raise this year as a result of another increase in the federal minimum wage.
Five Golden Rings On Sale
It’s not all bad news, however. Luxury retailers are aggressively dropping prices this holiday season in an attempt to clear inventory in anticipation of an even slower economy next year. This Christmas, your True Love can snag those 5 golden rings for a measly $349.95.
PNC Core CPI
Much like the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ well-know CPI Core index which excludes volatile goods like food and energy, the PNC Wealth Management has a similar core Christmas index that excludes its most volatile item: seven swans a-swimming. Up just 1.1% this year as opposed to the full index’s 8.1%, it may be tempting to substitute, say, diving pigeons for swans a-swimming. This is not advised, however, because True Love has a very short temper.
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