In Rugged Elegant Living we reported that it would cost over $17,000 to purchase a partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three french hens, four calling birds, five gold rings....
Here is an alternative list of gift items that will cost less than $200 and perhaps touch your true love, or at least your host or hostess for an evening.
Twelve Days of Christmas Tower by Harry & David
One beautiful gift box for each day of the holiday season by Harry and David:
Royal Riviera Pears
Crisp Mountain Apples and Royal Beurre Bosc Pears
Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate Moose Munch popcorn
Cheddar Cheese
Royal Cherry and Blueberry Chocolates
Baklava
Deluxe Mixed Nuts
Three kinds of Wild 'n Rare Preserves
Rich, delectable Assorted Chocolates
This gift would be welcomed during the holidays and frankly, any time of year.
Twelve Days of Christmas Tower by Mrs. Fields
Three holiday gift boxes full of chocolate cookies, muffins and treats by Mrs. Fields is always a delight.
Each box features a beautiful illustrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Nestled inside the gift boxes are 12 cookies, 12 brownies bites, and 12 Mini Muffins in Mrs. Fields' most popular flavors, plus 12 of her melt-away chocolate truffles all in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas
Couple any of the above with The Twelve Days of Christmas song book illustrated by Jan Brett.
The New York Times Book Review said this about Brett's striking and opulent visual feast:
Jan Brett's illustrations are plump, whimsical and full of the sort of feather-by-feather detail that makes you want to pat the turtledoves, bite into the pears and bury your nose in the boughs of the Christmas trees that flank the margins.
Or, if you're determined to put the combination together, Rugged Elegance offers a creative alternative up to "Five Golden Rings".
A Partridge 'n a Pear Tree
A brown or gold partridge ornament to put on your pear or Christmas tree...
Two Turtle Doves
A 23" x 30" Turtle Dove, Fine-Art Print by John James Audubon
Three French Hens
A 18.1" x 27" Framed French Hens Print called "Cognac aux Oeufs"
Four Calling Birds
4) Four Calling Birds Limoge Gumps box
Also available in a partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three French hens, five gold rings, six geese-a-laying, seven swans-a-swimming...
Each cost between $190 - $225.
Five Gold Rings
These gold napkin rings by Bombay add a touch of class to any holiday dinner table. They come in a set of four, so you'd need to purchase two sets to present five. But at least you'd have four left over for yourself.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and thinking outside the twelve days box living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King
