'12 Days of Christmas' Items Cost 11% More

Bad news: A patridge in a pear tree costs significantly more in 2008 than it did last year.

It's a sign of the times.

Given the economic downturn, even the most romantic might balk at the $86,609 price tag for the items in the carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

That's this year's cost, according to the annual "Christmas Price Index" compiled by PNC Wealth Management, which tallies the single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests. The price is up $8,508, or 10.9%, from $78,100 last year.

While the overall pricetag for the entire gift list is up, some of the items cost the same as last year. Some have even dropped in price.

Prices of items in song, according to PNC Wealth Management:

Partridge, $20 (last year: $15)

Pear Tree, $200 (last year: $150)

Two Turtle Doves, $55 (last year: $40)

Three French Hens, $30 (last year: $45)

Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 (last year: same)

Five Gold Rings, $350 (last year: $395)

Six Geese a-Laying, $240 (last year: $360)

Seven Swans a-Swimming, $5,600 (last year: $4,200)

Eight Maids a-Milking, $52 (last year: $47)

Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 (last year: same)

10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,414 (last year: $4,285)

11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,285 (last year: $2,213)

12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,475 (last year: $2,398)

The three French Hens, five gold rings, and six geese a-laying are bargains compared to last year.

A couple of items stayed the same as in 2007, but most of the gifts increased in price.

The cost of seven swans a-swimming really jumped. Is there a swan shortage? Is this a supply and demand thing?