Tuesday, December 1, 2009

On the 1st day of Christmas... A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Do you love the old “12 Days of Christmas” song? I do! I remember wondering what it meant as a kid, and wishing (and hoping and praying) as a teen that I would have a "true love" who would shower me with such fancy. Now, as a 4 time mom, most of the time I just hear a cash register "ca-ching" echoing in the chorus (by the way, there are people who figure this out – the 2009 cost? $21,465.56)


Image courtesy of artist Annie Soudain

A few years ago I heard an interesting tale that this song was actually written as a secret way for persecuted Christians to practice their faith and pass it down to their children. Mystery and intrigue! Right up my alley. Well, it’s not technically true, but it is still a really neat thought, so I’ll be sharing the history of each day – along with the “new” symbolism!
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree”

No, not this kind of Partridge!

Since the song is probably French in origin, many have speculated that the pear tree is in fact supposed to be perdrix, French for partridge and pronounced per-dree. But now-a-days in France the first day’s gift is “a good stuffing without bones”. Although that sounds tasty, I like pears, so I’m sticking with the English version!

Now, if we were in Scotland, on the first day our lovies would be bringing us

A popingo-aye (parrot)!

In the modern folklore version, the since the partridge is considered one of the most protective birds and shelters their young with their own bodies, it stands for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The cross is often referred to as a tree and it seems fitting that the partridge is in a tree.

A beautiful way to remember Christ in Christmas.
Only $4.00 and free shipping (hurry it's a Cyber Monday special - I don't know how long it will last!)
100% of the proceeds of this item benefit The Shepherd's Haven, shop their Etsy store!
(I might even be picking up some of these to [ReDeem] into necklaces soon!)

The historical counterpart is from "A New Dial" that included 12 verses that pertained to the 12 Days of Christmas. The first day is:

“Who are they that are but one?
We have one God alone
In Heaven above sits on His throne.”

Well – at any rate, I love to sing this part in a round. One year at a Christmas party everyone was assigned one of the days to sing. This was great fun! After my temporary bitterness at not drawing the beautiful “5 Go-old Rings!” (can you tell I like to be the center of attention?) I really embraced the partridge and it’s tree! Even people who mumble and fumble through the rest of the song ALWAYS get this one right!

One thing I won’t mumble about is this fabulous vintage apron:



After I blogged about it on my Fun and Funky Friday post a few weeks back, Lorraine of Aprons n More contacted me letting me know that she’d like to offer it as a prize to my readers! WOW – thanks Lorraine!


She’s a pretty neat lady, with a passion for vintage aprons (and so much more as the name implies!) She’s busy working on TWO books, loving on her 4 adorable grandbabies and hopes to fill her Etsy shop with lots more soon! For now, she’s got fabulous aprons listed (some of her over 400 piece collection!)

So, to enter Day 1’s giveaway, here’s the scoop. You’ll get 1 entry for each of the following:
• Post a comment (1 per day – so after you check out the next day’s blog, come back here and enter again – just like the song builds every day, so do your chances!
• Post the button (then a comment letting me know)





• Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway with the link (then a comment letting me know)
• Follow me (then a comment letting me know)
• BONUS entry! Visit Loraine’s Etsy shop and leave a comment telling us which apron you like best!

The fine print:
• You must leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry – this is the only way to keep it fair and straight (and keep me from having to kill a tree printing them out and cutting them apart!)
• All giveaways will be held on December 13th
• A random number generator will be used to determine the winner(s)
• If your e-mail address is not publicly listed on your profile, please include it with your comment(s)
• We reserve the right to re-draw if the first winner does not respond within 48 hours (please don’t let this happen – that would just be sad!)

And – (aren’t you glad you read all the way to the end? There is a reward for being detail oriented and “stickin’ with it”!) as if you needed more incentive to enter this and the other drawings –

I will be drawing, from ALL the comments on all the days (I’m getting nervous just thinking of the math involved – no worries, hubby is inclined that way, I’ll put him in charge)


For a…





Are you still there?








Just checking!


$50 gift card to your choice of Anthropologie or Hobby Lobby!

45 comments:

  1. Great idea. Love the information on the Twelve Days of Christmas. I'm going to TRY to figure out how to put the button on my blog. I'll be following along... Merry Christmas!

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  2. I also posted your button on my blog.

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  3. I really like her American flag bib apron.

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  4. Woohoo! Sounds good - you're gonna have fun...

    CHeryl

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  5. Oh what fun! I remember the song well. I'll be watching every day!

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  6. YaY! How cool is this! sign me up! Thank you!!!

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  7. wooooow,thanks for this chance.
    hugs

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  8. Thanks for explaining that song!

    Marilyn
    mcgoo4@gmail.com

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  9. I've posted your button (atually did that yesterday.

    Smiles~
    Marilyn
    mcgoo4@gmail.com

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  10. I visited Loraine's Etsy shop and I loved the Vintage work smock, but since you said apron, how about the German Cloth Apron in Lavendar and Plaid. I just love it and I'm on a purple kick of late!

    Smiles~
    Marilyn
    mcgoo4@gmail.com

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  11. It doesn't like it when I post I'm a follower. I didn't that twice already and it kicked it out. Sob, it doesn't like me!
    LOL

    Smiles~
    Marilyn
    mcgoo4@gmail.com

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  12. I added the button on my blog.

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  13. i visit Loraine’s Etsy shop and I love HALF APRON IN GREEN COTTON SOLID

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  14. Love learning the history behind carols such as The Twelve Days. Great post!
    Thank you so much for entering my giveaway, best of luck!
    Anne

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  15. Loved hearing the folk lore version of the symbolism of Christ!!

    blessings
    mary

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  16. I love that cross. That would make a great stocking stuffer for my mother-in-law.
    Marilyn

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  17. I've got you linked on my blog!: )

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  18. This is quite a beautiful apron!

    I loved today's post as well, very informative! I look forward to the next one!

    Oh! And P.S: You changed your blog layout since I was last here (I took too long of a break for moving), I love the new look! :)

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  19. I have just started following your blog and have enjoyed reading it!

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  20. I just have to get that cross. Every time I see it, I think, "my mother-in-law would love that".

    Smiles!
    Marilyn

    PS. I got sneaky. I copied my post and when it didn't take it, just had to paste it back in. LOL

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  21. This is so much fun!!! Thanks for hosting!

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  22. I was able to get the cross and that all proceeds go to the charity is great. I like supporting good things like that.

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  23. Love it! Started following Monday ... doesn't look like my comment made it.

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  24. I have your button on my page. My email address is : glamourdiva74@yahoo.com

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  25. I laugh ever time I see the Patridge (man can't remember his name!) in the tree. LOL

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  26. I was singing this song to myself today ("The 12 Days of Christmas"), and when I sang "and a partridge in a pear tree", I immediately thought of your Partridge picture at the top. It cracked me up.

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  27. Well, here is today's entry. My cross arrived and I LOVE it and I think the person who's stocking stuffer it is will love it too. They also sent a sweet little gift ornament with it! That's mine to keep.

    Great charity and great ornaments. Thanks for their link.

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  28. Love this:

    Image courtesy of artist Annie Soudain - Very Pretty

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  29. I have posted your button on my blog

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  30. It just took me until Day 10 to figure out how this giveaway works! ha I've enjoyed catching up!

    Debbie
    rlmdam@sbcglobal.net

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  31. WHEW, gets really hard to comment after all the days, every day. Well, please enter me!

    Smiles!
    Marilyn

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  32. Please enter me. It's getting harder and harder to comment. Plus I have a headache. OUCH

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  33. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    Thank you for hosting the 12 Days of Christmas.

    Merry Christmas~
    Marilyn

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