I do not so much love the pressure to come up with a clever rhyme to accompany those wonderful things.

Problem solved!

We’ve got printable 12 Days of Christmas tags for you to use to spread merriment.

Whether you’re playing Secret Santa, delivering neighbor gifts, gifting baked goods, unveiling holiday books and treasures, or orchestrating festive activities, these tags have you covered.

Just print, cut, and attach to your daily dose of cheer.

12 Days of Christmas Printable Tags Download

Get our free printable file here. Save, print, cut, and give! 

When Does the 12 Days of Christmas Start? 

In 2020 the Twelve Days of Christmas officially starts on December 25th 2020 through January 5th 2021. The 12 days window starts in celebration of the birth of Christ and ends with the arrival of the three wise men.  

However, you can do the twelve days of Christmas anytime you'd like! We think it's a great gift-giving tradition, especially for Secret Santa and neighbor gifts leading up to the big day.

How to Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas

Traditional: You can start on Christmas Day and celebrate the traditional 12 days through early January. 

Your Own Way: We start on December 13th and end on December 24th, with the 12 Days of Christmas counting down to the big HURRAH on Christmas Day. 

The best part of our 12 Days of Christmas tags? You can use them for ANYTHING. Here are a few ideas:

BOOKS: Wrap up your Christmas books each year and unwrap one each day to read as a family. Add a new book to your family holiday library on the 1st or 4th or 12th day. It doesn't matter when! But reading the holiday stories together just never gets old. This is just one of six Christmas traditions you can start now! 

ACTIVITY: Do something as a family each day to add some holiday spirit to your busy December calendar. Make a batch of peppermint hot cocoa to enjoy together. Go for a drive to see holiday lights. Watch Elf. Cut out paper snowflakes and tape them on the windows. You get the idea. 

SERVICE: Thing of 12 things you can do to help your family, neighbors, or community. Give back by delivering dinner to a neighbor, go shopping for items for your local food pantry, work with your church on a service project, make homemade cards for your extended family, you can even ask your family members to take a day to help each other. 

GIFTS: Heck yes, you can sprinkle a little holiday giving magic! Seasonal treats that only come around once a year like candy canes, marshmallow Santas, and homemade cookies can make a person's whole day! 

TEACHERS: Shower the teachers in your life with 12 days of treats, classroom supplies, and gift cards! THEY DESERVE IT. 

READ MORE: Science Says You're Happier If You Put Up Christmas Decorations Sooner

But remember! This is supposed to be fun and bring joy to your life. If the 12 Days of Christmas is adding too much to your plate this year, skip it! Do only what you can manage and what won't leave you drained and complaining. Being tired and complaining will actually make your stressful holiday worse! 

What Do the 12 Days of Christmas Represent?

The 12 days of Christmas is the period that in Christian theology marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings' Day). - Vox.com

12 Days of Christmas Song Lyrics

Verse 1

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

A partridge in a pear tree

Verse 2

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave me to me:

Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree

Verse 3

On the third day of Christmas my true love game to me:

Three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree

Verse 4

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree

Verse 5

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave me to me:

Give golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree

Verse 6

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave me to:

Six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree

Verse 7

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Verse 8 

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

Verse 9

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Nine ladies waiting, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

Verse 10

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Ten lords a leaping, nine ladies waiting, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, give golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partrige in a pear tree. 

Verse 11

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping, nine ladies waiting, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

Verse 12

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping, nine ladies waiting, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

DISCOVER: The Disneyland Christmas Food Guide 

12 Days of Christmas Recipes

Maybe you're like me and want to get knee-deep in baked goods during the holidays. My favorite way to make magic with my kiddos is in the kitchen. Here are a few of our favorite holiday recipes that you can weave into your 12 Days of Christmas celebrations.

The PERFECT Sugar Cookies 

These are the perfect sugar cookies that you’ll return to every Christmas when it’s time to make something festive and delicious! We make these sugar cookies and frost them with homemade buttercream and sprinkles! They aren’t overly sweet so they pair perfectly with a rich frosting. We love them so much, they’re our go-to sugar cookie for every holiday! 

Easy Chocolate Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies 

These easy chocolate peppermint cake mix cookies are quick to make and sure to be a hit at your next holiday party! The addition of cream cheese to the batter adds a buttery flavor and makes them soft and fluffy-my favorite kind of cookie. 

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Made with Cake Mix

These chocolate crinkle cookies made with cake mix are the perfect treat to drop off to your neighbors, bring to a holiday party, or eat all alone when your kids are in bed. The cake mix makes them all too easy to make and kids love helping roll them in the powdered sugar before baking. Win for everyone!

Grandma Garnett's Famous Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls. A combination of everything we love in life: sugar, butter, bread, and cinnamon. This famous cinnamon roll recipe from the kitchen of Becky James’ mother-in-law will make your mouth water when reading it and make your tongue sweat while making it. This recipe is a MUST include for everyone’s collection of best Christmas recipes. Becky invites you to into her world with this delicious famous cinnamon roll. 

Grandma Baxter's Cake Donuts

Baking was one of the ways Grandma Baxter showed her love, and she has passed on several classics to our family—these cake donuts being a major favorite and permanent holiday tradition. They are the most magical thing to eat during the holiday season, with the touch of nutmeg and dusting of sugar. YUM!

Christmas Butter Cookies

Are you looking for a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that is so easy you can make them with your littlest kiddos? You’ve found it. These delicious Christmas Butter Cookies are just the thing to enjoy with a warm cup of hot cocoa, cider, or tea after a chilly winter day. You’ll want to make these a part of your own Christmas tradition too! 

Parmesan Puff Stars

Want to add a little whimsy to dinner time? We've got five things you can make with puff pastry including these Parmesan Puff Stars. What a fun way to work the Christmas Star into your 12 Days of Christmas theme. (Parent Hack: these go great with a bowl of Tomato Soup!)

READ: How I'm Getting 20 Hours Back This Holiday Season (You know you want to.)