12 Days of Chrismas

For the last two days this '12 Days of Christmas' song has been plaguing me. When do the 12 days begin? Do they start 12 days before X-mas and go on until that day or do they start the very day itself. Now I have been asking different people and they have come up with ' I believe it begins on Christmas day and carries on to the ukranian Christmas' or 'It's the 12 days before' and act like I'm stupid for asking such an easy question.
But when does your true love start to give you these insane gifts of love? And what are you to do with these gifts?
Five golden rings! I think that's over kill. Maids a milking? Lords a leaping? swans a swimming? Well I know the song wasn't written in Canada.
Last thing, as I look around me this year and I'm asked what do you want this Christmas, as nice as two turtle doves would be. I look to see I don't really need anything or even really want things, it's a nice feeling to have. Not to need.
Merry Christmas, God bless us everyone.