Buying all the presents in “The 12 Days of Christmas” carol looks like costing us over $800 more than last year it would seem, according to the Christmas Price Index (CPI) published by US based PNC Financial Services.

Now in its 28th year the entertaining survey sees just a 3.5% rise compared to the UK’s own CPI (Consumer Price Index) which was running at 5.2% pa when figures were published last month.

The total price tag for everything in the song, from the partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming would be $24, 263.18  (£15467.78) this year, up $823.80 from 2010

The item in the Christmas favourite that saw the sharpest price rise was The Two Turtle Doves which flew up 25% this year to a cost of $125 (£80)

In previous years the sharp rise in gold prices has continually pushed the cost of The Five Gold Rings up to a high of $649 (£413) but this year due to the demand in retail gold waning, the cost has dropped for the first time since 2008 to $645 (£411).

For many of us, shopping online is the way forward as it saves us from weary feet, expensive parking fees, enables us to beat the queues, and grab ourselves a bargain in the process.

For the gifts in the 12 Days of Christmas though, internet shopping is to be avoided as the shipping costs for the premium birds pushes the price up to a whopping $15,500 (£9941)more than the traditional way.

For further details on this lighthearted economic analysis compiled by PNC Financial Services check out the CPI website