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Have you priced five golden rings lately? What about 12 drummers drumming? Those maids a-milking illegal in most jurisdictions.

The gifts enumerated in that old Christmas song are impractical as they are expensive these days about $20,000 for all 12, depending on whose estimate you believe. And frankly, with Christmas Day nearly upon us, a partridge in a pear tree doesn't really seem like something to arrange at the last minute.

Your humble correspondent recommends more affordable local alternatives that will not only delight your true love but show your love for the great state of North Carolina. All are part of the official symbology laid down in North Carolina law and all can be found with a lot less effort than tracking down 10 lords aleaping.

Official State Bird: Cardinal

"Cardinals are an easy one," said Jean Murdik, membership chairman with the Piedmont Bird Club. "They're not shy so they don't mind being seen by people."

She recommends a simple bird feeder and sunflower seeds. An online search of Target.com found outdoor bird feeders that will run you from $6 to more than $100.

Official State Christmas Tree: Fraser fir

In case you haven't found your Christmas tree yet, the Fraser fir is North Carolina's official one. A 20-foot specimen from North Carolina is the official White House tree this year.

Since Fraser firs make up 80 percent to 90 percent of the Christmas trees grown in North Carolina, it's a good bet you'll find one.

Official State Tartan: The Carolina tartan

A tartan is the type of pattern that you see on kilts and the like. Yes, North Carolina has an official one.

"It's the same tartan as the state of South Carolina," says Ronan McGregor, manager for the gift shop at The Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin. "Right now, we have it in a scarf and a tie."

McGregor says with enough notice sorry, last-minute shoppers he can get the tartan made into just about anything, including a kilt.

Sales from the gift shop support the museum. For more information call (828) 524-7472 or go online to giftshop.scottishtartans.org

Official State Insect: The honey bee

I don't know about the people on your list, but my friends and relatives probably wouldn't appreciate me showing up with a beehive and one of those funny suits. (Although if you think someone would like to manage a colony, you can find out more from the Guilford County Bee Keepers Association at http://www.guilfordbeekeepers.org)

For the less ambitious, you can find locally produced honey. Honeybee Harvest of Julian will sell its wares at the downtown curb market today from 7 a.m. to noon. Or you can find their products in a several local stores. More information: http://www.honeybeeharvest.com

Carnivorous plant: Venus flytrap

Sure, the state flower is the dogwood, but if you really want to wow your loved one with both an unusual gift and your knowledge of state symbols, the flytrap is the way to go.

A quick search of Amazon.com shows a few outlets selling flytrap plants and kits for $8 to $20, although you're probably going to shell out for shipping at this point. There may be local sources, but your reporter struck out when calling around.

Vegetable: Sweet potato; Fruit: Scuppernong grape.

If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with a nice bag of sweet potatoes. Of course, you could put effort into it and make a nice sweet potato casserole or pie for your sweetie.

A trip to local markets didn't yield any scuppernong grapes, (they're out of season) but there are plenty of scuppernong products on the market, including North Carolina wines.

A trip to the farmer's market should allow you to put together a basket of locally produced goodies, including sweet potatoes and such.

Beverage: Milk

Milk may do a body good but a plastic gallon jug hardly seems festive. But there's plenty of milk (and other things) in eggnog, which you can pick up premixed at the ABC store for $7.20 and up, depending on brand and size.

Aviation Hall of Fame: Asheboro Municipal Airport

No, don't go out and buy your loved one a plane. But if they're into flying, you can take them to visit the officially designated Aviation Hall of Fame at the Asheboro Airport for $5 a head. Students are $3 and children under 6 get in free.

The museum is closed Sunday through Tuesday. But you'll be a hero for getting Uncle Fester and crew out of the house for a few hours on Dec. 26. Call 625-0170 or log onto http://www.ncairmuseum.org

The rest of the list: Since we're into the strange and, well, inexpensive, you may not find exactly what you're looking for on the above list. But fear not. While I won't try to account for the entire list of official North Carolina symbols, there are a few left that may inspire the last-minute shopper.

But your kids probably won't think its funny if you give anything involving the official state Military Academy: Oak Ridge Military Academy.

Tree: Pine. Normally I'd suggest this for Arbor Day, but if you're in a pinch, head to the nursery.

Rock: Granite. Stone: Emerald. I'm not going to say which, but I'm pretty sure one of these is more welcome under the tree than the other.

Shell: Scotch bonnet. I'm told they're a bit hard to come by on the beach, but your sweetie might appreciate a quick getaway to go look.

Mammal: Gray squirrel. Sorry, my only suggestion here involves a .22 rifle and stew.

Saltwater fish: Channel bass or red drum. Freshwater trout: Appalachian brook trout. The angler in your life might appreciate a new lure. Or for you high-rollers, a trip to pursue North Carolina's official fish.

State dances: Clogging and shagging. Nothing wrong with dancing the night away, although the shag is probably easier on the kitchen tiles than clogging.

Red berry: Strawberry. Blue berry: Blueberry. Yes, There are two official berries. They both make great pie.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com