Create Your Own Lyrics to "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

What You Need:

• Copy of the original “Twelve Days of Christmas” song
• Paper and pencil
• A quiet room so that your child can focus and let his imagination run wild

What You Do:

1. If you have access to it, play the original song in its entirety so that your child is reminded of the lyrics and melody.
2. This is a collaborative project since you will probably want to replay the song or sing it aloud so that your child can be sure to emulate the rhythm and alliteration as in the original version.
3. If your junior lyricist gets stuck along the way, suggest that she refer to other Christmas stories in her home library for imagery and motifs that may provide inspiration. Once she has rewritten the words to all 12 days, ask her to make copies of the song and pass them out to every family member.
4. If she likes, have her create illustrations to accompany the newfangled song.
5. Give the newly written version a whirl together!

"The 12 Days of Christmas" has been re-worded in many whimsical ways. Here are a few kids books that offer entertaining versions:

• If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond – contains sheet music for Christmas carols including a mouse-ified version of The 12 Days of Christmas
• Barney’s 12 Days of Christmas, by Guy Davis, illustrated by Mark S. Bernthal
• The Twelve Days of Christmas, State By State series, various authors