According to the 27th annual survey, the price tag is up $1,974 more than last year. This is the second-highest jump ever and largest percentage increase since 2003 when the index rose 16 percent. It comes on the heels of a modest 1.8 percent increase a year ago.
Among the 12 gifts in the survey, only four items -- the pear tree, four calling birds, six geese a–laying and the eight maids-a-milking were the same price from last year.
The 11 pipers piping, which are $2,356, and 12 drummers drumming, which are $2,552, saw modest increases, both up 3.1 percent.
Lords-a-leaping jumped 8 percent to $4,766, but the biggest dollar increase this year was for the nine ladies dancing, up by $820, a 15-percent boost. None of these performers received a wage increase last year, and were playing catch-up in 2010.
