12 Days of Christmas Game

Photo: intmath.com 

Have you ever asked yourself  where some of the words to Christmas songs came from? Why a Partridge and why a Pear Tree?

From the earliest human writings, trees have symbolized many things, through the power of nature of their special attributes. In many cultures, birch is the tree of health, wisdom, and safety, was used in baby cradles and cribs. Cedars were the trees of paradise in the mid-East. They were also symbols of faithful lovers in China and held as sacred in Nepal.

Junipers were planted as protection from thieves and witches & Oaks have been known as the symbols of strength and power. In China, pine was the symbol of friendship in adversity since it remains green all year.

In Germany, it was customary to plant a tree at a wedding. As each child was born, an apple tree was planted if it was a boy and a pear tree for a girl. The age and amount of fruit the trees bore were thought to give strength to the marriage and the respective children.

But what about Pear Trees?

In the Chinese culture, the pear symbolizes longevity, as pear trees are known to live long. Marco Polo reported after his travels that the Chinese planted many trees because they believed "he who plants a tree will live a long life."

But as far as the Partridge in the Pear Tree and the origin of the Holiday Song, The Austin Public Library research department found  that words from this song first appeared in a book published in 1780 (or 1783) in England titled "Mirth Without Mischief."

The melody apparently dates back much further and originated in France. The book describes "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as a "memory and forfeits game" played by children at that time.

The leader recited the first  verse, the next child recited the second verse, and this continued until someone missed his or her verse and had to pay some kind of penalty in the game. "The Twelve Days of  Christmas" became popular at the "12th-night parties" (Feast of the Eppiphany) that took place during the Christmas season.

You can play a fun adapted version of this game with your children or students to help improve concentration, auditory processing, sequencing and memory skills.

The 12 Days of Christmas Game: 

You can modify the words as follows:

"On the first day of  Winter Break my teacher gave to me..."

(Or  if playing with family, 'On the first day of Christmas/Hannukah my Grandma/Nonnie/Baba gave to me...')

For younger children who can read, you can print out or write the names of the 'gifts' down on gift tags (or slips of colored paper or paper snowflakes) using one tag for each player. The gifts can be animals, toys, foods, characters or any theme you select.

You can also play this game with non-readers, using miniature animals or other items placed in a grab bag. The children each select an item, and hold theirs up when its their turn, as they recite the poem. Prompt as needed.

Each player selects a tag or slip of paper to see what their 'gift' is. Instruct them to not tell anyone what they selected. The teacher then begins by saying or singing:

"On the first day of  Winter Break my teacher gave to me...(Example: ) a Cardinal in a pine tree."

The second student takes his/her turn: "On the second day of winter break my teacher gave to me...(Example) 2 white gloves and a cardinal in a pine tree."

Each child continues reciting or singing the gifts, first saying their own, and then the others before them.

(Examples:) Three French Fries... Four Angry Birds... Five Golden Teeth....Six Bags of Licorice...Seven Fruit Cakes...etc

If needed, the other participants can be asked to prompt, help give clues or guess the gift if the player gets stuck.

The teacher then goes last, reciting each gift-(pretending to struggle and prompting the children to help remember what the sequence is.)

The gifts can be nontraditional-and relevant to what children like to do. Footballs, bicycles, iPads, Super Mario Games, etc.

For older children, they can each come up with their own 'gift' in the sequence. Play as above.

In order for non verbal children to participate, use photos, illustrations or PECS. Print out the pictures and laminate. Prompt them to  hold up their picture when their turn comes. (Do not require them to recite the entire sequence that came before them unless their skills will allow it.)


Learn some fun math facts about the 12 Days of Christmas

*What are some other winter or holiday games that you play with your family in doors, out doors or in the classroom? We would love to hear about them! Please leave a comment in the box below.


Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com