For the last 5 or 6 years I have been a volunteer leader for the youth group at church. Every Christmas, we pick a family in our congregation to be the recipients of 12 days of gifts, delivered to the doorstep by a group of "Secret Santas". In late November, the youth wrapped most of the presents at a weeknight activity, with one gift for each of the 12 days:| # | DAY | DEC. | GIFT |
| 1 | Wed | 12 | turkey |
| 2 | Thurs | 13 | turtles |
| 3 | Fri | 14 | stuffing |
| 4 | Sat | 15 | CD |
| 5 | Sun | 16 | lifesavers |
| 6 | Mon | 17 | eggnog |
| 7 | Tues | 18 | ornaments |
| 8 | Wed | 19 | rolls & margarine |
| 9 | Thurs | 20 | potatoes |
| 10 | Fri | 21 | socks |
| 11 | Sat | 22 | pie |
| 12 | Sun | 23 | gifts (ie: boardgames) |
A tag was affixed to each of the 12 packages, with a message based on the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". A few years back, I wrote a new set of verses to better match the gifts for each day, which were mainly the components of a Christmas dinner. I think I wrote the whole thing out in about 20 minutes one night, but we've been using it with very few changes for years:
On the 1st day of Christmas,Today was the last delivery for this year's project, and I think the kids all really enjoyed being a part of it. They particularly like the part where they get to ring the doorbell and run away into the night. It's a great tradition and one that we did when I was a teenager, so the tradition continues...
Santa gave to you:
A partridge in a pear tree.
The partridge flew away,
But we found you this replacement.
On the 2nd day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Two turtle doves
All wrapped up in chocolate…
…Ooooh, sweet chocolate.
On the 3rd day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Three French hens.
But what good are hens
Without some stuffing?
On the 4th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Four calling birds.
But the birds were so good,
They went on a European concert tour.
So here are their latest albums.
On the 5th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Five golden rings.
Santa’s not much for jewelry—
He gives candy rings instead!
On the 6th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Six geese a-laying.
So we gathered the eggs,
And made you this drink.
On the 7th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Seven swans a-swimming.
But we exchanged the swans
For these classy ornaments.
(What good are a bunch of swans?)
On the 8th days of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Eight maids a-milking.
The maids had to go home,
But they churned this fresh butter.
(Well, it sure tastes like butter!)
On the 9th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Nine ladies dancing.
(We’re not sure
What this has to do with potatoes.)
On the 10th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Ten lords a-leaping.
Unfortunately, the lords leapt right out
Of their socks and disappeared.
On the 11th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Eleven pipers piping.
--And here’s a piping-hot pie.
(Well, it’s probably not so hot now, though
but you could heat up if you wanted—
and maybe serve it with ice cream, etc)
On the 12th day of Christmas,
Santa gave to you:
Twelve drummers drumming.
The drummers all chipped in
For a swell Christmas gift.
-
Merry Christmas from the drummers,
from Santa, all nine ladies-dancing.
May your Christmas this year
Be filled up with turkey
And with loads of good cheer.
4 comments:
I have always loved that tradition (and I really like your version of the song.) It is always fun to do things for others anonymously. It can sometimes be really challenging when the recipients start trying to catch you as you ring the bell. You have to become very stealthy (and it helps to be young and fast.) Good for you and your YM and YW.
I liked your ideas for the "Gifts". I'd like to do that next year. It is too complicated for me to try to copy it, so be nice and send me a copy, or better still, deliver it in person next week! I would have to have some "elves" do the running for me I think!
We've continued the tradition too D.
I'm trying tis out. I love the song version. They probably got as much fun out of the song as the gifts. We hope you arrived in Utah okay.
Post a Comment