The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 8th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 8th). On the updated calendar — since Epiphany is celebrated on a Sunday — these days may actually be more or less than twelve. We have 16 days on the tree because the Christmas season extends until the feast of the Baptism of Christ and we have included them all.The origin of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day...
