For the first time this year, the comparison is not to the previous year but to 2019. PNC’s decision was based on the pandemic’s outsized effect on the economy and a desire to normalize “by excluding a-once-in-a-century pandemic that had an outsized impact on last year’s data.”
Not that there’s anything wrong with a basket of assorted swans, geese, French hens and turtle doves … I’d prefer a beef tenderloin myself … but who would have expected to spend almost $40,000 for the entire basket?
I examine this every year … just for fun … and for the last 5 years, the total cost of the basket was approaching $40,000.
The cost of the fanciful mix of gifts described in the classic carol has been tracked for over a quarter of a century.
PNC Wealth Management has carefully tracked these costs for more than 25 years. Each year, they expand the offerings with gifts, activities and associated crafts. You can find all of the 2021 details here.
So, What Did All This Goodness Cost in 2021?
You can see from the PNC Graph below that since 2004, the cost of the index has grown from around $24,000 to just short of $39,000 in 2019, a 66% increase over that period.
The significant drop last year was the absence of live performances where the greatest costs occur … Ten Lords-a-Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, etc.
What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.
What costs the most?
Historically, the most expensive item by far has been Seven-Swans-A-Swimming. The cost is unchanged this year, but you can still put them under your tree for a measly $13, 125.
Last year, Ten Lords-A-Leaping would only set you back $10,000, a few grand more than Nine Ladies Dancing. this year those two items, together, cost a whopping $18,812.
Cheaper to just get Eight Maids-A-Milking for a measly $58. (At that price, make it a dozen!)
This year, the greatest cost increase was for Six Geese-A-Laying, up 57.1% at $660.
Don’t forget … you can find the details for all of these wonderful gifts here.
Don't forget the fun for your kids.
PNC has also created an Activity Book full of fun activities that include counting, tracing, matching and more.
PNC also has a do it yourself craft tutorials that provide a fun way to create that special gift for your loved ones this holiday season.
Scroll to the bottom of the PNC webpage to get access to all of these fun activities.
What is the Total Cost?
If you count each repetition in the song for each gift, it would be 364 presents and this year it would cost $179,454.19 up only 5.4% from 2019.
I’ll keep checking my mailbox if you’re sending this package my way. It’s very affordable and with inflation rising more than in the last 40 years, this will be the best time to get it to me, so don’t miss this special opportunity.😀
