The start of the Twelve Days of Christmas is upon us! Yes, it starts on Christmas Day, ending on the Epiphany, in the Christian tradition: from the day of his birth to the day the Magi visited the newborn Jesus. With this sense of “beginning” I thought that I would challenge you to do something in nature on each of these 12 days. You will love the 12th day. Here goes!

On the First Day of Christmas, go outside and hug a tree (no partridge necessary),

On the Second Day of Christmas, find two mourning doves (look up in the tree),

On the Third Day of Christmas, look up French name for hen;

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, stop and listen for calling birds (four different kinds, please);

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, collect Fiveeeeeeeeee Gol-dennn Leavesssssss;

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, find children playing – outside!!!;

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, find a bird that’s swimming;

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, find eight kinds of plants in a minute;

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, watch a squirrel that’s prancing;

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, find a log and leap it;

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, whistle while walking in the woods:

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, eat 12 homemade cookies (Hey, you have to celebrate, right?)

OK, get ready, set, GO! Oh, and please don’t try and sing this: your tongue will get twisted! Apologies to composer Frederic Austin.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année Mes Amis

P.S. Extra Credit for taking someone along with you, especially a child or two or 12!

P.S.S. Follow the daily fun on OurMSHome Instagram!

Mark is a naturalist and wetland ecologist, providing expertise on wetlands, water quality and environmental impacts of humans. He has also developed and conducted a number of environmental education programs and workshops for youth, teachers, realtors, and the general public on a variety of subjects including wetlands, natural history, and environmental landscaping. Mark is a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (B.S. and M.S. degrees) and Mississippi State University (Ph.D.). Mark is the recipient of the Chevron Conservation Award, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation Conservation Educator Award, the Gulf Guardian Award, and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award.

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