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Christmas songs have a funny way of getting stuck in our heads. The theme for the 2024 Southern Christmas Show is The 12 Days of Christmas, representing one of the most iconic songs of the season. But where did this catchy tune come from, and how can it inspire you to find the most festive decorations for your home this year?

A Winter Walk Through the Past

The 12 days of Christmas refer to the sacred time in Christian theology between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Three Magi, or Wise Men. They begin on Christmas Day, December 25, and run through January 6, which is called the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day.

Sources agree that the earliest known version of the song itself first appeared in a 1780 children’s book called Mirth With-out Mischief, which was published in London and illustrated with woodcuts. This version did not have music, but many composers created some for it in the years to come. Most historians believe the song was meant to be played as a memory and forfeits game, meaning that if the singer could not remember all of the lyrics, he or she had to bestow a kiss or some kind of favor on the listener.

There are various versions of the song, but the version we are most familiar with today was written by the English baritone and composer Frederic Austin in 1905 and was published by Novello & Co. in 1909. Austin shared that the song was popular in his childhood home and that he had crafted the lyrics as best as he could from his memories. While online theories suggest the 12 verses are coded references to Christian tenets to help the faithful recall them secretly for fear of persecution – for example, the three French hens stand in for the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, while the 10 lords a-leaping reference the Ten Commandments – scholars have debunked this line of thought. The key argument against this theory is that if Christians had been so restricted from practicing their faith, they would not have been able to sing carols about Christmas in the first place. Regardless of the song’s many iterations and causes for debate, it has evolved into an enduring classic during the holiday season.

Using Music for Design Inspiration

If you would like to decorate your home using The 12 Days of Christmas to guide your way, here are a few tips from our interior design experts, Beth Richeson of Richeson Properties and Interiors, Brooke Morris Hutchins of Katherine Brooke Design and Stacey Montebello of MONTE-BELLO.

1. Embrace the Beat: Find ornaments inspired by The 12 Days of Christmas such as a painted drum or a milkmaid to give your tree a classic feel. Get creative and use decorative wooden geese to rest at the base of the tree, while swan statues swim along the mantel. String a wreath with five pretty golden rings and pick up dinner plates and bedding that illustrate aspects of the song to live in the magic of the season while dining and relaxing this year.


2. Give a Gift: Gift boxes aren't just for presents! They make great décor options for a centerpiece, bookcase, fireplace mantel, front porch or even on the Christmas tree itself. Since The 12 Days of Christmas represents gifts, faux gift boxes are the perfect décor pieces to incorporate into the theme. They are a simple, inexpensive way to fill in empty spaces. You can also wrap boxes in matching wrapping paper that coordinates perfectly with your particular Christmas theme.

3. Hang a Bough of Holly: Adding greenery throughout your home such as garlands, wreaths, branches and stems gives you all of the warm, cozy feelings of Christmas, especially if you like to decorate without a tree. Whether you prefer real or faux greenery, the key is to add fullness, texture and color. Mistletoe, holly and even flocked greenery are great traditional choices to coordinate with the theme of The 12 Days of Christmas!

Photo Credit: The Library of Congress

4. Harken Back to Tradition: Use real Christmas stockings as ornaments on oversized trees or attach a red ribbon to the top of a teddy bear to create a charming, large ornament. Many vintage ornaments were flat, painted wooden pieces, which can be easily replicated with craft supplies as a fun project for the whole family. To give wooden ornaments that authentic, vintage look, seal them with gloss Mod Podge, which is safe and non-toxic for young children. If instead you choose to spray them with an aerosol gloss finish, remember to follow the directions on any finish you choose and only spray aerosols in a well-ventilated space, ideally outdoors.

5. Capture the Song’s Essence: To invoke the spirit of The 12 Days of Christmas in your décor, you don’t need to literally interpret each line of the song. Instead focus on a few iconic visuals and repeat them throughout your home. Elements like white feathers, dancing shoes, a strategically placed wooden flute, faux pears in a centerpiece or on the tree and general bird motifs like doves and swans will make wonderful additions to your decorations.

Interested in learning more about decorating for the holidays? Check out our Designer Rooms Rooms while you’re at the show! You won’t want to miss our Décor Competition sponsored by Universal Windows Direct either where vendors decorate wreaths, doors, mantels and trees. Be sure to dance over to our 12 Days of Christmas inspired show entrance to capture a photo for your family’s holiday cards. The welcoming space will include 12 enchanting, illuminated stain glass window designs, with each representing one illustrated number from the song, cozy twinkling lights, life-sized nutcrackers and large, stately Christmas trees adorned with vintage ornaments to carry you back in time.