12 Days of Christmas - History and Ideas for Celebrations

Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas today probably won't involve ten lords-a-leaping, but you can give your true love a taste of the twelve days by using your own creativity. It doesn't have to be expensive, just thoughtful.

Here are some 12 Days of Christmas romantic ideas for him or her:

1st Day - One hour-long backrub after a long, hectic day of work. Don't skimp - get some massage oil and set the mood so they can relax!

Chicago Metallic 12 Days of Christmas Cookie, Candy, Shortbread, and Springerle Mold

2nd - Two Waterford Crystal Flutes (like the ones to the left) that you can fill with champagne for a romantic evening toast. It's good to have a couple of nice things for romance to take root.

3rd - Three romance novels by her favorite author wrapped up with a pretty ribbon or for him, three of his favorite DVDs to keep him in a cheerful mode gearing up toward the holidays.

4th - Four chocolate dipped strawberries hand-fed to him or her with long, sensuous kisses in between.

5th - A delicious five-course meal you prepare yourself using one of today's modern cookbook.

6th - 6 romantic MP3 Downloads that you secretly add to their iPod that show what they mean to you.

7th - 7 special scented candles for a romantic evening (they can be as small as tealight candles). Whip up a romantic meal and let the candles set the mood for what's to come.

8th - 8 video downloads they can grab for the next time they have to sit and wait for a long time.

9th - Nine new pairs of earrings, 5 new neckties or other adornments they can accessorize with during the workweek.

10th - 10 romantic coupons that are perfect for initiating intimacy.

11th - Eleven bubble bath ornaments you use to create a romantic bath just for two!

12th - A silver charm bracelet with 12 tiny charms on it. Or for girls to give their guy - how about a 12-month calendar you make using a create your own calendar kit of sexy pictures of you that he can lust over?

This obviously doesn't follow the song exactly in numbers of items or types of items, but you get the idea. You can do something really different and special for your true love with some creative thought, and they will love it!

Kids love the holidays, and the more there is to learn and do, the happier they are. Why not incorporate the 12 Days of Christmas for Kids into your celebrations this year?

The twelve days are the days between Christmas and the Epiphany, when the Magi visited Christ in his manger.

Elmo 12 Days of Christmas

You can enjoy this time period with your little ones in a couple different ways. You can tell the story of Jesus' birth and the Three Kings search for him. And you will want to sing the song with your children of course.

Kids love this song and remembering all the lyrics. You can show them fun hand and body motions to do too. It's said that this song was created to help Catholic children learn the tenets of their faith at a time when Catholics were persecuted in England.

Thus, the nonsensical lyrics, they had to use a kind of "code." Family members can give small gifts for each of the twelve days, too. They can be specifically themed to go with the song lyrics, but they don't have to.

Finally, on the twelfth day, you can again tell the story of the Three Kings visit to the manger, as a wonderful wrap-up to the holidays!