Christmas News Briefs
12-days hits all-time high
If you're planning on doing the whole '12-days of Christmas' theme this year for a loved one, expect to drop some big money. To purchase all the objects mentioned in the '12 Days of Christmas' song would put the shopper back $78,100, which is a four per cent increase on last years $75,122. The annual PNC Christmas Price Index, which is put together by PNC Wealth Management, lists the most expensive thing in the song as the nine ladies dancing which, per performance, cost $4,759. The good news for the ‘Maids a Milking' is that the minimum wage increase in the USA means that this year they're making $47 as opposed to last years $41.
Cranberries in short supply
Wall Street Journal announced that a cranberry shortage is expected by Christmas, which is making the price for the bright red berries increase. The Journal even went so far as to say that some suppliers are expecting to not have any of the Christmastime staple on hand at all. Last years warm winter and this past summers' drought are being blamed for the decrease in crop production.
Santa's chuckle termed ‘derogatory'
Political correctness may have gone too far in Australia this year as some Santa's have been told not to use Santa's usual ‘Ho-Ho-Ho' but instead replace it with ‘Ha-Ha-Ha' becomes it may offend women. But the Santa's are rebelling saying that a child's first thought upon hearing the world famous chuckle has nothing to do with women or prostitution, but of Christmas and presents.
Herpes the perfect holiday gift
A Connecticut based company called Giantmicrobes, is making gift giving infectious this Christmas. The idea is to sell large stuffed-plushies representing good and bad microbes to make it easier for parents to explain to their children about the common cold. The toys start at $7.95 each and represent 14 different microbe categories including: Herpes, the Black Plague, Mad Cow and Syphilis (www.giantmicrobes.com).
If you're planning on doing the whole '12-days of Christmas' theme this year for a loved one, expect to drop some big money. To purchase all the objects mentioned in the '12 Days of Christmas' song would put the shopper back $78,100, which is a four per cent increase on last years $75,122. The annual PNC Christmas Price Index, which is put together by PNC Wealth Management, lists the most expensive thing in the song as the nine ladies dancing which, per performance, cost $4,759. The good news for the ‘Maids a Milking' is that the minimum wage increase in the USA means that this year they're making $47 as opposed to last years $41.
Cranberries in short supply
Wall Street Journal announced that a cranberry shortage is expected by Christmas, which is making the price for the bright red berries increase. The Journal even went so far as to say that some suppliers are expecting to not have any of the Christmastime staple on hand at all. Last years warm winter and this past summers' drought are being blamed for the decrease in crop production.
Santa's chuckle termed ‘derogatory'
Political correctness may have gone too far in Australia this year as some Santa's have been told not to use Santa's usual ‘Ho-Ho-Ho' but instead replace it with ‘Ha-Ha-Ha' becomes it may offend women. But the Santa's are rebelling saying that a child's first thought upon hearing the world famous chuckle has nothing to do with women or prostitution, but of Christmas and presents.
Herpes the perfect holiday gift
A Connecticut based company called Giantmicrobes, is making gift giving infectious this Christmas. The idea is to sell large stuffed-plushies representing good and bad microbes to make it easier for parents to explain to their children about the common cold. The toys start at $7.95 each and represent 14 different microbe categories including: Herpes, the Black Plague, Mad Cow and Syphilis (www.giantmicrobes.com).
