On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Seven swans a-swimming… Ca-ching! The seven swans are the most expensive presents in the Twelve Days of Christmas song, according to the Christmas Price Index. The Christmas Price Index is a facecious commodity price index tracked by PNC Financial services. To calculate this year’s Christmas Price Index, the PNC researches how much each item costs in the current market. Like any group of goods, shifts in the Christmas Price Index reflect general patterns in the economy.

Why are the seven swans the most expensive item on the list, you ask? Good question. For the answer, remember back to the mantra of your econ 101 class: supply and demand. Although it may cost quite a pretty penny to hire nine dancers, the rarity of swans hikes up their price. Throw in their unpredictable breeding cycle, and you’re ensured a high price.

Still, unless you happen to have a woefully empty decorative pond, seven very expensive swans won’t do you much good. Can a shoe express the grace and elegance of a swan? Sure! The Xosa, shown above, has the swan’s sleek lines and timeless beauty. This 3″ heel will transition seamlessly from a day at the office to that holiday party. Give it to a friend or family member rather than seven swans, and she’ll thank you for years of low-maintenance beauty.