In the unlikely event that your Christmas list this year includes every item mentioned in The Twelve Days of Christmas, be prepared to pay nearly $100,000 US.

A British stamp commemorates The Twelve Days of Christmas. While the price of the pear tree is unchanged from last year, the cost of a partridge is up 20 per cent to $12 US. (IStock)Trying to buy the 364 items repeated in all the song's verses — from 12 drummers drumming to a partridge in a pear tree — would cost $96,824, an increase of 10.8 per cent over last year, according to the annual Christmas price index compiled by PNC Wealth Management.

So you might want to try for one of everything. That would cost only $23,439, or 9.2 per cent more than last year.

The 27th annual holiday index has historically mirrored the national consumer price index, but not this year. The PNC Christmas price index grew 9.2 per cent from last year, compared to just a 1.1 per cent increase in the much broader CPI.

Jim Dunigan, managing executive of investment for PNC Wealth Management, said that's because the whimsical holiday price index looks at a much smaller group of goods and services. Even within the index itself, there are some goods that have seen small increases and others that have seen larger ones, he said.

'There's no doubt that our feathered friends in general make up a good portion of the increase.'—Jim Dunigan, PNC Wealth Management

Also, gold prices are high which pushed the cost of five gold rings up 30 per cent to $649.95 — as was the cost of hiring entertainers. Not to mention the birds.

"There's no doubt that our feathered friends in general make up a good portion of the increase," Dunigan said. The price of feed and availability led to a 78.6 per cent increase in the price of two turtle doves, to $100, and a whopping 233 per cent increase in the cost of three french hens, to $150.

A postage stamp from Christmas Island features three french hens. According to the PBC Christmas price index, higher feed prices have pushed the cost of the birds up 233 per cent to $150. (IStock)Dunigan said higher prices aren't necessarily a bad thing.

"The good news is that the economy is improving, and we are starting to see some pockets of price increases, as long as the total basket is controlled," he said.

Only four of the 12 gifts in the song didn't go up in price from last year: the pear tree ($149, not including the partridge), four calling birds ($599.96), six geese ($150) and the eight maids-a-milking ($58).

The most expensive item on the list was $6,294.03 to hire nine ladies dancing, a 15 per cent increase from last year. The cheapest was $12 for one partridge, a 20 per cent increase.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. checks jewelry stores, dance companies, pet stores and other sources to compile the list. Some sources this year include the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and the Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Ballet Company.

The annual index is also used in middle and high schools across the country to teach economic trends.

The company's website includes an MP3 download, games and more about the index.