Christmas up 6.1%

According to PNC's CPI calculations for 2005 (That is, Christmas Price Index), this is on track to be the most expensive christmas in the past 21 years by 6.1%. The cost of purchasing the 78 items listed in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" rose this year to $18,348 fueled by increases in the price of Geese, Swans, Gold, and Pear Trees. Analysts have commented that scarcity wrought by the avian flu as well as high energy cost in transporting the birds are the fundamental drivers of the increase.

More information on this can be found at PNC's website: http://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/

Thanks to Neo for tipping me off to this underwatched but crutial economic indicator.