Welcome to our Netroots for the Troops, Inc. Holiday Fundraiser: Twelve Days of Christmas Blog! Today is the second day of Christmas, and entitled Two Turtle Doves.
So what do the Twelve Days of Christmas mean? And while we're at it, how much do all those gifts cost? The answers to these mysteries will be revealed over the jump, but first a bit of intro on NFTT.
Netroots for the Troops is a DK tradition. We raise funds each year to create and send care packages to our troops. There's something magical about receiving a care package. Your donation will help us create and ship packages full of useful and fun things to our soldiers overseas. Boxes will be packaged next summer at Netroots Nation. More on how to donate below.
This month's fundraiser theme is 12 Days of Christmas. Taken literally, the 12 Days of Christmas are the season in a traditional church calendar between Christmas and Epiphany. For our purposes, however, they're a time of giving in a month that includes holidays celebrated by those of many faiths, and a huge secular holiday celebrated by many more. So we've moved them right on up into December with nary a lick of remorse.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
Yesterday we looked at the possible meanings of the twelve days of Christmas. Today, we look at turtle doves - from a distance. These are members of the pigeon family, remember. They're pretty big and honestly as cage birds they're...well let's just say they're not parakeets, OK?
What they are, however, is a symbol of love. Perhaps because doves as a group have long symbolized love and peace, pairs of turtle doves (usually depicted cooing at each other in a sappy manner) have come to depict romantic love. So unlike yesterday's partridge, unhappily perched in its tree, the two turtle doves seem an appropriate gift from my true love - as long as he's willing to take care of the filthy creatures (and keep them away from our four cats).
And what has all this cost my true love?
Well, according to the bank I'm using as my reference (link on the 12th day in the comment threads, or you can just Google it) the cost of two turtle doves has skyrocketed this year: a round $100. The bill so far:
Carry-over from yesterday: $161.99
Two turtle doves @ $100
A partridge in a pear tree @ $161.99
Today's total: $261.99
Running grand total: $423.98*
*Trust me; it's going to get a lot worse.
For this money, he could have just gotten me the new camera I've been asking for (you reading this, trs?)
Now, the purpose of this diary: please donate to Netroots for the Troops so we can pack and send as many quality care packages as possible. Thank you!
Did you enjoy the diary? Now it's your turn to have some fun! Be sure to recommend the diary and make lots and lots of comments! The team with the highest number of comments and recommends at the end of the fundraiser will earn special recognition! Then, make a pledge and donation! Here's how:
- Visit our website
- At the top left corner of your screen, select "Find A Team/Participant"
- Under the blank box, click "Show All Teams"
- Click on the Team Name for Today's Team
- At the top left corner of your screen, select "Make A Donation"
It's that simple! Now, on with the games!