From Salt Lake City:

“This is a compilation of many years of doing the “12 Days” for neighbors & friends. Often, I would go to The Dollar Store, buy things, and then come home and make up the verses to go with what I bought.

Merry Christmas to everyone and Enjoy!!

Silly 12 Days Ideas
1. cartridge in a bare tree (music cartridge hanging from a small tree branch.)
2. two turtle gloves (rubber gloves with either small toy turtles or chocolate turtle candy)
two curdled gloves (gloves with yogurt)
3. three French pens (I put google eyes and mustaches on 3 pens with French Bread loaf)
three clenched pens (3 pens in a stuffed rubber glove “clenching” the pens)
4. four calling nerds ( a phone book and Nerd candy)
5. five folding springs (clothes pins)
five holding rings (napkins and napkin rings)
6. six keys a swaying (keys on ribbons)
(six keys a spraying –hanging on hair spray can)
7. seven bronze a trimmings (seven goldish ornaments)
-seven fauns a slimming (7 deer pictures taped to a can of Slim Fast)
8. eight aids for milking (glasses or straws & a deck of Crazy Eights)
9. nine gummers summing (nine packs of gum tied to a small calculator)
-nine gummers humming (gum and kazoos)
10. ten vipers wiping (ten gummy worms tied to a roll of paper towels)
-ten pipers pie-ing (pipe cleaners with a pie)
11. eleven bladies glancing (eleven plastic knives with a small mirror)
12. twelve cardboards sweeping (12 cardboard ornaments with a small broom and dustpan)
twelve boards a sweeping (emery boards with broom and dustpan)

Another Set of 12 Days (I type these in verses of 4 lines, but to save space here, I have put them on one line.)

On the first day of Christmas, A gift that you can handle, we give to you, a merry Christmas Candle.
On the second day of Christmas to help with toil and strife, two packs of candy to help you save your life. (life saver candy)
On the third day of Christmas we come to wish you cheer. Three jingling presents
to ring through out the year. (bells)
On the fourth day of Christmas You’re probably wondering “what?” Four Cookie Cutters
and dough for you to cut. (cookie cutters and cookie dough package)
On the fifth day of Christmas as we enjoy this caper, for your noteworthy needs,
here’s 5 pads of paper. (note paper pads)
On the sixth day of Christmas from out of Santa’s sack, we give to you today,
a Merry Christmas 6-pack (a six-pack of soda pop drinks
On the seventh day of Christmas to sweeten all your pains, we give to you seven candy canes.
On the eighth day of Christmas, to fill up every tummy. We give to you 8 chocolate cupcakes
and my, but they are yummy.
On the ninth day of Christmas this gift for you we’ve picked, And now we can say that
you’ve be licorice sticked. (licorice)
On the tenth day of Christmas to make you day so bright, ten ink-filled long things,
with which you can write. (pens)
On the eleventh day of Christmas to a young man and Mrs., we give to you a gift of hogs and kisses.
(sausage links and chocolate kisses—or hugs and kissees (candy)
On the twelfth day of Christmas because you are so great, we give to you
one dozen cookies on a Christmas plate. (or one dozen anything…)
We’ve had a great time sharing with you Our Christmas Cheer.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!!!!

Even more Verses we’ve used other years

Warm your innards and drink this up. Then recycle the Styrofoam cup. (hot chocolate and cups)
We “popped” around the corner to get this tasty gift. Once we finally found it, it was really swift.
(popcorn)
Put this in the VHS (DVD), push “Play” and it will go. You can use it any time,
through rain or sleet or snow. (movie)
All of this playing leaves you plenty tuckered, hold onto these sticks and then you’ve been suckered.
(suckers)
Onesies, twosies, do them all., but keep your eye on the bouncing ball. Or keep things spinning round about, have a contest ‘til you’re all worn out. (jacks, ball, and tops)
Now this will help you not to get burned as you have a BBQ. We’ll provide protection,
the meat is up to you. (hot pad)
Groom and clean your bodies as you stand on the bathroom rug. then all can come together
for a great big family hug. (combs, soap, etc.)
Today is Christmas. We hope yours was great. This has been fun
Have a good day, relax and rest. And now this gift is done!!!

And even one more set of verses…

On the 1st day of Christmas our family gives to you, one Christmas Candle in a tin of blue.
On the 2nd day of Christmas to grant you our wet wishes,
two pretty cloth things for washing up your dishes. (wash cloths )
On the 3rd day of Christmas because we are such hams, We give to you three tiny jars with jams.
On the 4th day of Christmas to help you as you wrap, 4 colors of ribbon. Now go take a nap. (ribbon
On the 5th day of Christmas the way the old song sings, we give to you five golden rings.
On the 6th day of Christmas we will just confess, we give you six squishy sponges for wiping up a mess.
On the 7th day of Christmas as we continue with this caper, we give to you seven pads of paper.
On the 8th day of Christmas we give a chocolate treat. 8 cakes for eating we hope they’re not too sweet.
On the 9th day of Christmas to help you when you write, we give 9 pencils some are shining bright.
On the 10th day of Christmas for writing down you thoughts,
a 10-Pack of black pens, for you is what we gots.
On the 11th day of Christmas your sweet tooth for to fix, eleven long, thin red things,
we call them licorice sticks.
On the 12th day of Christmas and this will be the last, 12 packs of Kleenex to take as you go fast.
We had a great time sneaking these presents to your door.
Have a Merry Christmas and many, many more.
We won’t be back tomorrow or any other day,
But please know that we love you more than we can say.

And Finally a few more generic 12-days ideas:

On the ___ day of Christmas our family gives to you, 2 silly magnets. Do not try to chew.
On the ___ day of Christmas to make you look real nice, 5 kinds of hair things, we hope they suffice.
On the ___ day of Christmas here’s a real neat trick, ___yummy suckers on which you can lick.
On the ___ day of Christmas because you are so smart ___books of learning just open up and start.
On the ___ day of Christmas to help your “HO HO HO’s” ___pretty wrappings, paper, tape and bows.
On the ___ day of Christmas our family gives to you, ___special _____ to show that we care, too.

Other 12 gift ideas: crackers, candles, toothpicks, toilet paper, fruit, pencils, eggs, combs, frit roll-ups,
pretzels, wrapping paper, bows, paper plates, cups, mugs, crayons, liquid soap

Other gifts we’ve given to the neighbors( or they’ve given to us) and the verses that went with them.

Cooking whisks—We “Whisk” you a Merry Christmas!

An Assortment of Nails—We wanted to get right to the point and nail down our Christmas Wish for you, but we were afraid it might be a little tacky. So, we hope this gift doesn’t leave you with too many hang-ups and that you have a very, Merry Christmas and that the New Year finds you sharp as a tack!!

popcorn-Just “popping” in to say…., May the joy of Christmas pop into you home.

Kleenex—This little box of tissue is especially for you
At Christmas time when you might find you’re feeling a little blue.
For times of gladness, joy or sorrow Dry a tear or two,
Or at a time when noses run or you must go “ah-choo!”
So put it in a handy place where all can use it too,
And every time you take one know that the________(family name) say, “Bless You”.

Don’t let Christmas “blow” you away.

Our gift to you this year might seem a little silly.
But on cold winter days, what do you need, now really?
Not toys or games or food galore, but a gift that’s practical, sensible, and more!!!
A Sneeze Catcher!, yes, a sneeze catcher for those who are truly needy.
Now there’s plenty for all of you, so please don’t be greedy.

Paper Towel Roll—Here’s hoping that “ABSORBING” the Spirit of Christmas will help you “SOAK”up the happiness the holidays bring and help you “Put A Shine” on all the days of the coming year.
Bounty Paper Towel—At this time of year we reflect on the many things that bring us cheer, love of God, good health, and the “Bounty” of friends which all add to our wealth.
Sprite—May your holidays be merry and “Sprite”!
Soup—Have a “Souper” holiday!
Oven Mitt –We must ad “mitt” that we have learned
You are great friends—now don’t get burned!
Each time you use it, know that you’re loved.
As a matter of fact, now, you’re “gloved” !!!
With glove from……
Salt—Behold, ye are the salt of the earth! Thanks for adding flavor to our lives. We have great taste in friends.
Extension Cord—We get such a charge out of Christmas
So we decided to shop a –cord-ingly.
We don’t want to overload you circuits
But this will light up your Christmas tree.
We want to extend to you our best wishes
We’ll put in a good plug for you.
Have a holiday that’s simply electric!
To extend good feelings the whole year through!
Toothpicks & Holder-We want to get right to the “point” and let you know how lucky we feel that
you “picked” us to be your friends.
Scriptures: I also have an advent list of Symbols & scriptures about the symbols of Christmas that tie them all to Christ. (maybe for another year….)

candy in a pill bottle—Adult Stress Tablets
Instructions: Take one tablet four times per day when anxiety occurs as a result of
decoritis, shopping claustrophobia, party panic, sleep deprivation, hyperglycemia, and catastrophobia.
Hot chocolate, marshmallows,kisses, and candy cane:
Magic Snowman Soup: Empty package of cocoa in mug. (hot chocolate)
Fill with hot water. Add a kiss or two. (candy kisses)
Stir with magic stick. (candy cane)
Top with snowman poop. (small marshmallows)
Stir occasionally while sipping and enjoy the Magic.
Bag of Potatoes: Peel ‘em, bake ‘em, hash ‘em, mash ‘em.
For all you do, this spud’s for you.
Celery & cheese spread: Deck the halls with stalks of celery. FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA
` I was stressed and made no goodies, FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA
Take the stress and stalks and stuff it! FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA
M & M’s : As you hold these candies in your hand, and turn them you will see
The M becomes a W, an E, and then a 3.
They tell the Christmas story: It’s one I’m sure you know.
It took place in a stable, A long, long time ago.
The E is for the East, where the star shone so bright.
The M is for the Manger, where Baby Jesus slept that night.
The 3 is for the Wisemen, bearing gifts with which they came.
W is for Worship. Hallelujah! Praise His Name.
So as you eat these candies or share them with your friends,
Remember the meaning of Christmas, It’s a Love Story that never ends.

Oranges: We’d like to “a-peel” to your basic notions
And let you inter-“seed” to make “juicy” potions.
Well, we’ll “rind” down this poem like a “navel” destroyer,
Beat it to a “pulp” so we won’t still annoy ya.
And, alas, all good poems must come to their ends.
We want you to know that we’re glad you’re our friends
Merry Christmas to you and to your dog Rover. (work with us here….)
This poem is now done. “C?” “Orange” ya just glad that it’s over?????

Toothpaste: With all the yummy Christmas candy, we thought a Tube of PASTE might come in handy!
So may your Teeth Shine as Bright as The Star on that First Christmas Night!
Fleece Blanket-Hop you have a cozy Christmas!
Muffin Mix-You’re getting “Muffin” for Christmas.
Lip Gloss—Hope this chapstick is dandy when the mistle toe is handy.
Whoppers—Have a “whopper” of a Christmas
Butterfinger—You “butter” not pout, you “butter” not cry…
Decorative Bag—We decided to bag Christmas this year.
Dishbrush—We wish you a Merry Dishbrush!
A bag of Marbles (and games to play with them) We really have not lost our marbles….
Rock and Roll Christmas—tootsie roll and a polished rock (As you roll along through this life,
remember to build you life upon the ROCK of Jesus Christ.) (also scriptures about The Rock)
Pie—We just dropped “pie” to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Scissors-Because you are such sharp neighbors who are always on the cutting edge of things, we thought that you might enjoy this small token of our appreciation for you and your friendship. You are always a cut above the rest. It is shear pleasure to know you.
A Ziploc bag of uncooked beans—top this with a sign reading “Old Time Mountain Man Bubblebath”
Directions: Cook and eat 1 hour before bath (For Jacuzzi—double recipe)

A Large Nail tied with a RED bow.

It’s Christmas time at our house And we’re putting up the tree.
I wish I could find one simple way to remember Christ’s gift to me.
Some little sign or symbol To show friends stopping by
The little Baby was born one day, but really came to die.
Some symbol of his nail-pierced hands, The blood he shed for you and me
What if I hung a simple nail Upon my Christmas tree?
A crimson bow tied ‘round the nail As his blood flowed down so free.
To save each person from their sins And redeem us for all eternity.
I know it was his love for us that held him to that tree,
But when I see this simple nail I know He died for me.

Subject: Meaning of The Twelve Days of Christmas Song (taken from the internet, author unlisted)

There is one Christmas carol that has had me baffled. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially that partridge that won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. Some one during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

One partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
The turtle doves were The Old and The New Testaments.
Three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testatment.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
The seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit.
(Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy)
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy spirit.
(Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control)
Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

So there is your history lesson for today. Now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.”