Given the rising cost of commodities and entertainers this year, true loves may want to reconsider doling out the dough for “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song items. According to a PNC Wealth Management annual survey based on gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,”  the 2010 PNC Christmas Price Index® jumped a staggering 9.2 percent.

9.2 percent is based on the tally for non purists, who ignore the repetition, coming to a total price of $23,439. The annual tally for purists who count every repetition – 364 items – is $96,824, up 10.8 percent from last year.

“This year’s jump in the PNC CPI can be attributed to rising gold commodity prices, represented by the Five Gold Rings which went up by 30 percent, in addition to higher costs for wages and benefits impacting some entertainers,” said James Dunigan, managing executive of investments for PNC Wealth Management. ( The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc, 2010)

According to an article on AnnuityNewsJournal.com, Annuities, Life Insurance and Investing can help your true loves offset the rising prices. “In today’s world, of course, French hens and lords-a-dancing are not in demand, but some of the things that matter to all of us, such as food, clothing, utility costs, and fuel for our vehicles certainly has. To keep up with these rising costs, it is important to create money growing funds such as annuities, life insurance policies, and investment accounts. Equally important are tax reduction and avoidance strategies.” (Dristol, 2010)

The most expensive gift on the list this year, costing $6,294.03, was to hire nine ladies dancing, up 15 percent from last year. The cheapest gift was one partridge at $12, a 20 percent increase.

PNC has conducted this survey for the past 27 years and it has traditionally mirrored the national Consumer Price Index. 

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (2010, November 29). The 2010 PNC Christmas Price Index. Retrieved December 2010, from www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com: http://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/CPI/2010/pressRelease.html

Dristol, Z. (2010, December 7). What does the “12 Days of Christmas” have to do with Annuities, Life Insurance, Investing and Taxes. Retrieved 2010, from www.annuitynewsjournal.com: http://www.annuitynewsjournal.com/what-does-the-12-days-of-christmas-have-to-do-with-annuities-life-insurance-investing-and-taxes/