what are the 12 days of xmas?

Question

are they pre or post holiday days? what is the history of these days?

Answer 1

These days are post December 25th.

The Twelve Days of Christmas and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide), are the festive days from the evening after Christmas Day (December 25) through Epiphany on (January 6). December 26 (St. Stephen's Day) is the first day of Christmas, then December 27 is the second day of Christmas, and so on until January 6 which is the 12th day of Christmas. Christmas Day, December 25, is therefore not one of the twelve days of Christmas. The associated evenings of the twelve days begin on the evening before the specified day. Thus, the first-night is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6. These twelve days of Christmas may have some historical relation to the twelve days of the ancient Babylonian festival of Zagmuk.

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a childrens rhyme that was originally written in a book called Mirth without Mischief, published in London around about 1780. Originally made as a memory and forfeit game. To play a circle of players were gathered and each person took it in turns to say the first line of the rhyme,when it is the first players turn again he says the second line of the verse and so on.

Some people give gifts, feast and otherwise celebrate on each of the twelve days rather than just on one day at Christmas.

Answer 2

It starts Christmas Eve and runs to January 6th ( Epiphamy)