NOEL NUMBERS

Inflation, as measured by the Christmas Price Index and based on purchasing each day’s items once in “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” jumped 5.4%, double last year’s 2.7%, and are a tree-topping $49,263. Birds, including partridges, doves, hens, calling birds, geese-a-laying, and swans-a-swimming rose 1%. The pear tree, a housing proxy, was up 17%, and services including lords-a-Leaping, maids-a-milking and others rose (you know it) a painful 8%. Merry Christmas!