In the Church, we celebrate 12 Days of Christmas from Christmas day until the eve of Epiphany, with Epiphany being the 13th day. We actually continue our celebrations in our home and leave up all our decorations until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas, which is February 2nd.
There is beautiful history in the song - "The Twelve Days of Christmas", where each of the twelve gifts symbolize a teaching of the faith. So every day during the twelve days of Christmas, we sang the song and did the motions after our morning offering. It was a good way to get us all moving and wake us up in the morning! We used the 12 Days of Christmas lapbook that the kids made a couple years ago as a reference.
On the twelfth night, we had a themed party and feast where we served foods that symbolized each of the 12 gifts. Of course, we began our meal with singing the actual song, motions and all! Then one by one, the kids took turns bringing each of the "12 gifts" to the table and announced the gift and how it represented a part of our faith.
**I made notes on what food items we used below each picture
"On the first day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
a partridge in a pear tree."
(partridge in a pear tree = Jesus, the Son of God)
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| (1 pear) |
"On the second day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
2 turtle doves."
( 2 turtle doves = the Old and New Testament)
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| (2 turtles/dainties from Lago's and 2 Dove chocolates) |
"On the third day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
3 French hens."
(3 French hens = 3 theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity)
 |
| (3 Frenchy chicken breasts: chicken baked and smothered in French dressing - a longtime favorite in our house) |
"On the 4th day of Christmas, my true Love gave to me...
4 calling birds."
(4 calling birds = 4 evangelists/4 Gospel writers)
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| (4 bugles to symbolize the 4 Gospel writers proclaiming the Good News) |
"On the 5th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
5 golden rings"
(5 golden rings = first 5 books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch)
 |
| (5 onion rings) |
"On the 6th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
6 geese a laying."
(Six geese a laying = 6 days of creation)
(Six geese a laying = 6 days of creation)
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| (6 EGG salad sandwhiches) |
"On the 7th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
7 swans a swimming."
(7 swans a swimming = 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the 7 Sacraments)
(7 swans a swimming = 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the 7 Sacraments)
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| (swans swim in water, so we offered water to drink) |
"On the 8th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
8 maids a milking."
(8 maids a milking = 8 beatitudes)
(8 maids a milking = 8 beatitudes)
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| (8 Milk Maid candies and chocolate milk to drink) |
"On the 9th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
9 ladies dancing"
(9 ladies dancing = 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit)
(9 ladies dancing = 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit)
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| (9 Pirouette cookies since a pirouette is a ballet dance) |
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| (our little lady had to show off her TUTU that her aunt gave her to dance around in) |
"On the 10th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
10 lords a leaping"
(10 lords a leaping = Ten Commandments)
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| (10 Scoops tortilla chips since they have jagged edges like a crown for a "king" or "lord") |
"On the 11th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
11 pipers piping"
(11 pipers pipings = 11 faithful apostles)
(11 pipers pipings = 11 faithful apostles)
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| (Piping hot bean dip) |
"On the 12th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...
12 drummers drumming."
(12 drummers drumming = 12 points of the Church doctrine in the Apostles Creed)
(12 drummers drumming = 12 points of the Church doctrine in the Apostles Creed)
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| (drumstick ice creams - although I didn't choose the actual "Drumstick" brand - I liked these mini's better) |
We have loved to incorporate fun feasting and themed foods while celebrating and learning our faith. We are SO grateful for Jessica for her beautiful example and for graciously sharing all the feasts that she celebrates with her family.