12th day of the twelve days of Christmas and we come to the end

Our secret elves did not let us see them tonight, but they did tell us who they are. They are the young ladies in my church (teenagers 17-18 years old and their teachers at church). Can I just say how great that is to me that teenagers would take the time to make such fun for my children. The children got so excited each night I couldn't have asked for a better gift than to see my children excited about this sort of thing. I know, silly, but it was great fun for them.

We got ice-cream drumsticks tonight.

Note reads:

The twelfth day has arrived, and on this our last night,
One dozen drummers would be a grand sight.
But the noise of their drums would hurt my head,
So eat these "drumsticks" we bring you instead.

And so we wish you a joyous Noel,
We know that you're hoping our name we will tell.
We won't keep it a secret because we love you.
Love, The Young Woman Laurels and Leaders too!

11th day of the twelve days of Christmas

Another day has come and gone, and I am exhausted from making centerpieces all day at work and shoveling my car out a few times today. So when we came home we got greeted by the 11th days gifts.

We got Stephen's hot cocoa (chocolate mint truffle) to go with it mini marshmellos.

Note reads:

Those eleven pipers piping remind us of the cold,
Of the chill and snow we don't have to be told.
Now make your water piping hot, and fill your cup with care,
Then add some chocolate and marshmallows for flair.

10th day of the twelve days of Christmas

So we stayed out real late tonight, and it snowed on our gift, but I don't think it got hurt much and will still work just fine.

We received a compilation Christmas CD.

Note reads:

Ten Lords a leaping would be an awesome gift
But they got stuck while jumping through a snow drift.
We had to be content and we hope you don't think it strange,
Instead we got you their lovely music to give you more of a range.

9th day of the twelve days of Christmas

So the 9th day happened, and the girls all got a gift. Sorry, but I guess my husband is out on this one unless he wants to keep the bag. I waited 'till morning to take the pictures because I wanted them bright since all the photos lately have been taken when it is still dark out and it is driving me nuts to have such dark, gloomy photos. The quilt in the back ground I will post about on Monday.

So we received a real cute bag

holding 4 sets of socks

that actually fit us all (the girls that is; none for husband, but I don't think he would wear them anyway, wink wink)!

Here is what the note reads:

Nine ladies dancing would be too big a crowd,
Besides, their music is way too loud.
If you danced all night you would have tired feet
So here are some socks, relax and have a seat.

8th day of the twelve days of Christmas

Day 8 has come and gone, and here we are at the blog once again; tons of snow and snow shoveling. This one was an easy one for the kids to guess, and they got so happy that they have now guessed two right. Not great odds; pretty unique twelve days, I must say.

Yep, I bet you guessed it, too. MILK!!!!

Note reads:

On the eighth day of Christmas, we're busy as a bee.
The eight maids-a-milking are as busy as we.
Before they could scatter, they did milk the cow.
Here is some milk to drink up right now.

7th day of the twelve days of Christmas

Well, we had tons of snow again, and my oldest daughter shoveled 'till real late, so they came real late at night. They left such a sweet gift, too.

Cream puffs

Note reads:

The 7th day of Christmas, and we are half-way done,
Remember no peeking or you'll spoil the fun.
On this day of Christmas, how nice it would be,
If seven swans a swimming you could see.
The pond was quite empty since the swans have gone south,
We only found cream puffs to put in your mouth,

Have you seen the 12 days of Christmas giveaway

6th day of the twelve days of Christmas

The 6th day has happened, and I have to say this is the most unique 12 days I have ever been a part of giving or receiving. The children are having so much fun. When tonight's item came, the kids all said in unison that it belonged to Pai because I think he is about the only one in the house who drinks egg nog.

However, they still got excited and thought it neat that their Pai gets his own special treat because they have claimed most of them for themselves.


The note reads:

Six geese-a-laying--an interesting sight;
One of them squawked and they all took flight.
What they left in their nest
You'll just have to think,
And with these eggs you will want to drink.

5th day of the twelve days of Christmas

We have had lots of snow here on the side of the mountain. So the kids wanted to shovel ;you know if they want to I am not going to argue to take my turn! They have learned in the last few days that it isn't easy to shovel snow; it is a lot of hard work, but they had fun, too. Once again they got worried that shoveling the snow kept the elves away. They did come with day five just a little later in the evening.

Received: a box of donuts.

Note reads:

On the fifth day of Christmas with things rather tight,
It's important to us that we all travel light.
Gold rings are too heavy but rings of gold will do
Enjoy these delicious donuts in lieu.

Part 2: my MIL's versions of the 12 days

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

On the first day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you some pears from the tree the partridge flew away from.
(A can of pears.)

On the second day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you some "good" turtles on a bar of Dove soap.
(Candy turtles on top of a bar of Dove soap.)

On the third day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you some noodle soup, compliments from the three French hens.
(A can of chicken noodle soup.)

On the fourth day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you a telephone message pad designed by the four calling birds.
(A telephone message pad.)

On the fifth day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you five golden rings.
(A can of sliced pineapple rings.)

On the sixth day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you the eggs we found when we were looking for the six geese that laid them.
(Six eggs.)

On the seventh day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you the bubble bath left by the seven swans after they went swimming.
(Bubble bath.)

On the eighth day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you the chocolate milk we got from the eight maids milking eight brown cows.
(A carton of chocolate milk.)

On the ninth day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you some canes used by the nine Ladies who were out dancing all night (they needed the canes to get home).
(Nine candy canes.)

On the tenth day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you a rub for sore muscles recommended for use by the ten Lords we saw out leaping!
(rubbing lotion.)

On the eleventh day of Christmas, your pixie friends gave to you some pickles since the pipers stopped piping and started picking a peck of pickles for us to send to you.
(A jar of pickles.)

On the twelfth day of Christmas, your pixie friends, the (your name here)s, gave to you some rolls we drummed up after being inspired by the twelve drummers we heard today.
(Some cinnamon rolls.)

or you can

On the twelfth day of Christmas, your pixie friends, the (your name here)s, gave to you some drumsticks used by the twelve drummers we heard today.
(Some chicken legs.)

4th day of the twelve days of Christmas

So we received our next item. Our children were very concerned because it snowed. My oldest daughter was shoveling, so they figured no one would come because of her being outside for over an hour.

Item received: a bag of gummy worms.

Note reads:

Four calling birds are in order on this, the fourth day;
But we thought they might get in your way.
Also to avoid any germs,
We just brought you the birds' worms.

Part 1: my MIL's versions of the 12 days

12 Days of Christmas -- give a piece of a nativity and a corresponding scripture everyday:

Day 1 - Dec 13 Star
Matthew 2:9-10 "...and lo the star which they saw in the east."
(can use star ornament or make star-shaped cookies)

Day 2 - Dec 14 Angel
Luke 2:10-14 "Glory to God in the highest."

Day 3 - Dec 15 Mary
Luke 1: 45-49 "...from thenceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

Day 4 - Dec 16 Wise Man 1
Matthew 2:11 "Gold, frankincense and myrrh..."

Day 5 - Dec 17 Cow
Song, "Away in the Manger," "The cattle are lowing..."

Day 6 - Dec 18 Wise Man 2
Matthew 2:8 "Go and search diligently..."

Day 7 - Dec 19 Joseph
Luke 2:4 "And Joseph also went up..."

Day 8 - Dec 20 Shepherd
Luke 2:8-9 "...there were in the same country shepherds abiding..."

Day 9 - Dec 21 Donkey
Song (LDS Primary Childrens Songbook p. 38) "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem," "He urged the donkey onward..."

Day 10 - Dec 22 Wise Man 3
Matthew 2:1-2 "There came wise men..."

Day 11 - Dec 23 Sheep
3 Nephi 15: ...ye are my sheep...

Day 12 - Dec 24 Jesus
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto you a child is born..."

Matthew 2:9-10
"And, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Luke 2:10-14
"And the angel said unto them Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will toward men."

Luke 1: 45-49
"And blessed she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

Matthew 2:11
"And when they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh."

"Away in a Manger" (LDS Hymn #206)
"The cattle are lowing the poor baby wakes but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes."

Matthew 2:8
"And he sent them to Bethlehem and said Go and search diligently for the young child: and when ye have found him bring me word again that I may come and worship him."


Luke 2:4
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judaea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and lineage of David."

Luke 2:8-9
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.And the angel of the Lord came upon them and they glory of the Lord shown round about them: and they were sore afraid."

"When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" (LDS Primary Childrens Songbook p. 38)
"He urged the donkey onward then with Mary on his back..."

Matthew 2:1-2
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him."

3 Nephi 15:24
"But behold ye have both heard my voice and seen me: and ye are my sheep and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me."

Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace."

3rd day of the twelve days of Christmas

So it is the third day and this is what came to us from the 12-day elves.
A loaf of French bread, butter, grape jelly and a pot holder.

The note reads:

Night three arrives, but we are not in France,
And three French hens don't come by chance.
So just for you we have given to thee,
A loaf of French bread to eat (jam and butter are Key).

The kids are excited; they want to eat this for breakfast. Somehow this beats homemade pancakes, bacon and eggs, and apple juice for breakfast - go figure. It is a special treat just like no other and it came as a gift, and that is all that mattered to them.

If you want to 12 day someone

I posted the Journey back in 2006; there are two pages of posts that are in this topic. Go to the oldest post first and then read through them to the newest post. It is a 12-day thing, too, but instead of taking food to people you take a piece of a nativity each night to the family or person you are twelve daying. I will post more of these as we get into the season. My MIL has sent me two versions that her family did as my husband grew up; they called it pixieing (you know, like pixie dust). You knock on the door and run like crazy to not get caught. I am posting a link on the side bar labeled Christmas 12 days I will add The journey and the current 12 daying happening to me and the ones my MIL sent as I post them to this, so if people want to come back and find them easily they can. Under popular tutorials I have also posted a Poinsettia with these same links; either way works to find all the 12 dayed items.

2nd day of the twelve days of Christmas

My kids are having so much fun with this, and I am, too. I know it is only two nights, but we had fun trying to guess what the next day's item would be. We actually guessed right. The kids got all excited about having chocolate. They know mom is to answer the door and that I will go real slow so as to not spoil the kids' fun of getting stuff and not seeing the givers. Not to be weird, but this was the year I sort of needed this type of thing happening in my life. Long story short, it has been a rough year, and I haven't posted about much of it at all. But whoever is doing this for my family is a very dear soul, and I thank them just for the fun it brings to my kids' day. Thanks!!!

Tonight's gift was Dove chocolates and Hershey kisses in a gift bag with a cute red bow and a note.

Tonight's card reads:

Tonight we have turtles and doves coming your way.
Eat all the chocolate, it's all yours, we say.
How grateful we are that you're playing our game.
We hope that you didn't look out when we came.

1st day of the twelve days of Christmas

We are being twelve-dayed. Each night someone rings our bell and leaves a gift. This is the first day's gift. I will try to post them all as I get them; that way if someone else wants to do this they can.

Today's gift: a note, a basket, and two pears tied with real cute, polka-dot ribbon.

The paper reads as follows:

'Twas the first day of Christmas and all through your house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
'Cept suddenly one little soul did appear,
It's your Christmas friends bringing you holiday cheer.

Tonight calls for a partridge for your pear tree,
But partridges are tough to catch, you see.
Now, how ' bout a yummy pear, instead of the bird.
Indeed it tastes good, or so we have heard.

Tonight's the first night, this sign you have been given,
One ring of your doorbell, not six and not seven,
From every night hence you will hear the bell ring
To signal the arrival of a Christmas thing.

Now beware of this warning - your friends will be here,
But you better not look, or they'll disappear,
And then all your gifts that were carefully planned
On some other front porch will surprisingly land.

Head Start on Christmas Journey

If you want to do the "Journey" from last year, I thought I would post this now so people could plan to take the journey. Follow the link and read all posts and all extra instructions in the following links on the new pages.

The Journey: Baby Jesus and our jouneys end / Merry Christmas

It is Christmas! I am wishing everyone a day full of loved ones and good feelings.

Baby Jesus:

Tonight, in the city of Bethlehem, Christ Our Savior was born. With only his mother, Mary, Joseph, and the cattle and oxen to first welcome him there. He came to a lowly stable, because he descended to the lowliest place on earth so he could rise to be great.

The birth of our savior was the most wonderful event that has happened here on earth. He was born of an earthly mother, with a God for a father. He is truly the Prince of Peace.

Heavenly Father gave us the greatest gift ever given, the gift of His son, Jesus Christ. He came to save us all from our sins. He came to give us Eternal life if we seek it. He has come to free us, and He will never leave us. Let us not ever leave Him.

And so our Journey has come to an end. Our family would like to thank yours for letting us share the true meaning of Christmas with you. We hope you have enjoyed the journey to Bethlehem. Thank you for letting our family serve your families at this holiday season. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. May the Prince of Peace be with you, this year and always.

Our Baby Jesus

Here is our baby Jesus from last year. Now the set is complete, and it is Christmas Day.

The Journey: the Three Wise Men Christmas Eve

Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar (The Magi)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

The First Wise man was Balthazar; his gift to the Christ Child was Frankincense. Frankincense is a fragrant, resinous exudation of various species of Boswella. It was imported into Judaea from Arabia. It is an ingredient in the holy incense for sacrificial purposes and was highly valued as perfume.

The Second Wise Man was Melchior; his gift to the Christ Child was Gold. His gift was used to help Mary and Joseph to go to Egypt with Jesus when Herod was searching for him. Gold was very valuable.

The Third Wise Man was Caspar; his gift to the Christ Child was Myrrh. Myrrh was used for embalming. It was obtained from various thorny shrubs of the dry districts of Arabia and Eastern Africa. Myrrh is the gum of the rockrose.

It is Christmas Eve, the day my family gets together to celebrate the coming of the Savior of all.

Our 3 Wise Men

Here is our three Wise Men from last year. Don't forget these all come together as a set, plus any animals and the such that go with them.