Dear Readers: Merry Christmas. We hope those who are celebrating the holiday are fortunate enough to enjoy it with family and friends. Here's the annual PNC Christmas, Price Index for those keeping track:

"The Twelve Days of Christmas"

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... a partridge in a pear tree (cost: $220.13, an increase of 0.1 percent from last year).

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... two turtle doves ($375, the same price as last year) and a partridge in a pear tree (another $220.13).

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... three French hens ($181.50, the same as last year), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... four calling birds ($599.96, the same as last year), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... five gold rings ($750, down 9.1 percent from last year, for those who think the price of gold keeps going up), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375), and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... six geese-a-laying ($390, up 8.3 percent from last year), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125, the same price as the last two years), six geese-a-laying ($390), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... eight maids-a-milking ($58, still at minimum wage, the same price for the past nine years), seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125), six geese-a-laying ($390), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... nine ladies dancing ($7,552.84, the same price as the last five years), eight maids-a-milking ($58), seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125), six geese-a-laying ($390), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... 10 lords-a-leaping ($10,000, a 3 percent salary hike), nine ladies dancing ($7,552.84), eight maids-a-milking ($58), seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125), six geese-a-laying ($390), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... 11 pipers piping ($2,804.40, slightly higher, at a 3.5 percent increase from last year), 10 lords-a-leaping ($10,000), nine ladies dancing ($7,552.84), eight maids-a-milking ($58), seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125), six geese-a-laying ($390), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... 12 drummers drumming ($3,038.10, also a 3.5 percent increase), 11 pipers piping ($2,804.40), 10 lords-a-leaping ($10,000), nine ladies dancing ($7,552.84), eight maids-a-milking ($58), seven swans-a-swimming ($13,125), six geese-a-laying ($390), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($181.50), two turtle doves ($375) and a partridge in a pear tree ($220.13).

The total cost of these gifts would be $170,609.46, plus shipping. Have a happy holiday. Give those maids a raise already.

This Classic Annie's Mailbox column was originally published in 2013. To find out more about Classic Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit Creators Syndicate at www.creators.com.