Do The 12 Days of Christmas Start.........

11 days before Christmas and end on Christmas Day (the 12th day) or do they start on Christmas and go forward. I never could get this right.

:)

dates and numbers.

:)

when the Wise Men allegedly arrived.

But do they start on Christmas Eve?...I'm thinking so. The three wise men show up on Epiphany...right? In Italy that's when kids get their presents.

is the German name for the festival, I believe.

Fasching = Karneval which begins on 11/11 at 11:11 a.m. and ends on Ash Wednesday. That's just what they call it down south. Go here for more info:

http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/la/lote/german/links/topics/karneval.htm

As for the 12 Days of Christmas, this oldie but goodie crosspost from a diehard Lounge Lizard for your enjoyment and amusement:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

12 Days of Christmas

December 14, 1972

My dearest darling John:

Who ever in the whole world would dream of getting a real
Partridge in a Pear Tree? How can I ever express my pleasure.
Thank you a hundred times for thinking of me this way.

My love always,
Agnes

========================================================
December 15, 1972

Dearest John:

Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine two
turtle doves. I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift.
They are just adorable.

All my love,
Agnes

=========================================================
December 16, 1972

Dear John:

Oh! Aren't you the extravagant one. Now I must protest. I don't
deserve such generosity, three French hens. They are just
darling but I must insist, you've been too kind.

All my love,
Agnes

=========================================================
December 17, 1972

Dear John:

Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really, they
are beautiful, but don't you think enough is enough. You are
being too romantic.

Affectionately,
Agnes

==========================================================
December 18, 1972

Dearest John:

What a surprise. Today the postman delivered five golden rings,
one for every finger. You're just impossible, but I love it.
Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my
nerves.

All my love,
Agnes

========================================================
December 19, 1972

Dear John:

When I opened the door today there were actually six geese
laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again huh?
These geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors
are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket. Please
stop.

Cordially,
Agnes

========================================================
December 20, 1972

John:

What's with you and those freaking birds?? Seven swans a
swimming. What kind of damn joke is this? There's bird poop all
over the house and they never stop the racket. I can't sleep at
night and I'm a nervous wreck. It's not funny. So stop those
freaking birds.

Sincerely,
Agnes

=========================================================
December 21, 1972

O.K. Buster:

I think I prefer the birds. What the hell am I going to do with
8 maids a milking? It's not enough with all those birds and 8
maids a milking, but they had to bring their damn cows. There is
manure all over the lawn and I can't move in my own house. Just
lay off me, smartass.

Agnes

=========================================================
December 22, 1972

Hey Shithead:

What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's nine pipers
playing. And Christ do they play. They've never stopped chasing
those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are
getting upset and they're stepping all over those screeching
birds. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a
petition to evict me.

You'll get yours !
Agnes

==========================================================
December 23, 1972

You rotten prick:

Now there's ten ladies dancing. I don't know why I call those
sluts ladies. They've been balling those pipers all night long.

Now the cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhea. My living
room is a river of shit. The Commissioner of Buildings has
subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn't be
condemned.

I'm calling the police on you !
Agnes

=========================================================
December 24, 1972

Listen Fuckhead:

What's with those eleven lords a leaping on those maids and
ladies? Some of those broads will never walk again. Those pipers
ran through the maids and have been committing sodomy with the
cows. All twenty-three of the birds are dead. They've been
trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you
rotten vicious swine.

Your sworn enemy,
Agnes

=========================================================
December 25, 1972

Dear Sir:

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers
fiddling which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss
Agnes McHolstein.

The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should
come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss
McHolstein at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have been
instructed to shoot you on sight.

With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

Cordially,
Law Offices of Badger Bender & Chole

Commercialism rules.