The Left Right Christmas Game combines storytelling with gift-giving, turning your Christmas gift exchange into a hilarious round of quick passes, funny mix-ups, and lots of laughter. Grab a free printable with the Left Right Christmas Story for this easy gift exchange idea!
Our family loves games – board games, party games, even spontaneous ones the kids made up when they were younger. We especially love sharing them with friends and family during the holidays, when everyone’s together and laughter fills the house.
For me, Christmas games are little reminders of what this time of year is really about, putting down the phone, turning off the noise, and soaking up moments with the people who make our holiday season so special.
If your family already loves The Christmas 5 Seconds Game or the Christmas Dice Game Gift Exchange, you’ll definitely want to add this Left Right Christmas Story Game to your Christmas games this year. It’s a fun and easy way to exchange gifts during your Christmas party or family gathering, perfect for all ages!
Why You’ll Love this Left Right Gift Exchange
- It’s easy — no special equipment required. You don’t need fancy props or hours of prep for games like the Left Right Christmas game. Just gather your people, grab a few wrapped gifts, and you’re ready to enjoy a hilarious gift exchange.
- All ages can join in. Whether it’s grandparents, teens, or little ones, everyone gets to be part of the fun. A Christmas gift exchange is one of the few holiday activities that truly spans generations.
- It’s lighthearted and no-pressure. In the left right Christmas game, the gifts move back and forth unpredictably, which brings tons of surprises, laughter, and zero pressure on people to choose or “steal” gifts.
- It’s an ideal icebreaker. When you’re hosting a mix of family and friends who might be meeting for the first time, a game like the Left Right Christmas Game gets everyone laughing and talking in minutes.
How to Play the Left Right Christmas Game
If you’ve never played before, don’t worry, the Left Right Christmas Game is super easy to set up. Think of it as a mash-up between storytime and a gift exchange, with a dash of chaos for good measure.
Once the story starts and gifts begin flying left and right, things move fast, and that’s half the fun! It’s quick to learn, needs no special setup, and guarantees plenty of laughs. Here’s how to play this pass-the-box Christmas gift exchange:
- Get the seating ready. Everyone should have a place to sit or stand where they can easily pass the gifts to the person to their left and right.
- Make sure everyone has a gift. You may want to have some on hand for those who forgot.
- Participants hold their gifts and sit in a circle. Check that everyone can hear and see the person who will be reading the story.
- Read the Right Left Christmas Story. One person is the designated “reader”, who reads a story or poem that includes the words “left” and “right” many times.
- Pass the gifts. Each time the reader says “left”, players pass the gift they’re holding to their left; whenever the word “right” is said, they pass it to the right.
- Open the gifts at the end of the story. When the story ends, the gift that each person is holding is theirs to keep!
It’s one of those Christmas gift exchange ideas that’s guaranteed to end in smiles and maybe a little good-natured chaos.
Left Right Christmas Story
It was Christmas Eve at the Wright house, and everything had to be just right. Mrs. Wright made sure the stockings were hung just right on the mantel, while Mr. Wright made one last trip to the store because he had left the wrapping paper in the shopping cart.
The trip to the store took a little longer because Mr. Wright took a right out of the neighborhood, then another right to get to the store parking lot, but he should have taken a left to get in the parking lot.
Their children, Emma and Jack Wright, were excited to open presents, but first, they wanted to play a Christmas game. “Alright,” said Mrs. Wright, “everyone needs to sit down and hold a gift tight. When you hear the words left or right, pass your gift that way.”
Just then, the doorbell rang. Grandma Wright had arrived! She had left her hat in the car, but in her right hand she had a tote bag with a plate of cookies and a container of fudge to share. She set them down on the table to the right of the tree.
Mr. Wright returned and told the family how it had taken him longer to get to the store because he took a right out of the neighborhood, then a right into the wrong parking lot.
The family gathered together. Mr. Wright read the Christmas story, holding the Bible with his right and left hands. He told about Mary and Joseph traveling a long way before they found the right place in Bethlehem. They left their home behind, but they trusted that everything would turn out right.
The Nativity Left Right Christmas Story
Want to play this fun gift exchange game at your bible study or Sunday School? Use this religious left right game with the Nativity Story!
Mary and Joseph left Nazareth in Galilee and turned left onto the road going to Bethlehem the town of David. They had to travel to Joseph’s ancestral town to be counted in the census. Mary rode upon a donkey while Joseph walked along on the left side of the donkey, holding the reins in his right hand.
“On the night Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph traveled a long way before they found the right place in Bethlehem. But at first, every innkeeper told them there was no room left.
Finally, one kind man said, “I don’t have any rooms left, but you may stay in the stable.” Mary and Joseph knew it was the right choice, and they thanked God for guiding them.
That night, baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him up tight and laid Him in a manger. Angels appeared to shepherds who were watching over their sheep on the right hillside. The shepherds were afraid, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I bring good news! A Savior has been born!” That was the moment when everything felt just right.
The shepherds left their sheep and hurried to see the baby. The shepherds rarely left their flocks, but they knew this was a very special event. They found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, just as the angel had said. They knew they had come to the right place. They praised God and told everyone they met what had happened, so no one was left without the good news.
Far away in the East, wise men saw a bright star. They knew it would lead them to the right King. They packed their gifts and left, traveling day and night. They never turned left or right, but kept following the star until it stopped in just the right spot over Bethlehem.
The wise men bowed before Jesus and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their journey had been long, but their hearts were full. They knew the had found the right King, the Savior of the world.
And that is the story of Christmas: God’s love came down in Jesus, born in Bethlehem, so that no one is left out of His love. That’s the greatest gift of all—then and now, and for all who choose the right path.
Free Printable Left Right Christmas Game
Want to grab this fun free printable to use for your Christmas gift exchange this year? Just click the link below to download and print! You can choose from the classic Left Right Christmas Story with the Wright Family, or download the Nativity Story Christmas game.
Download The Left Right Christmas Game!
Click below to download your FREE Right Left Christmas Game with the Wright Family.
Download The Printable!
Click below to download your FREE Nativity Story Left Right Christmas Game.
I hope your family or Christmas party guests love this easy gift exchange idea! And be sure to check out some of my other favorite Christmas games:
- Saran Wrap Ball Game – My version combines the popular Christmas Saran Wrap ball stuffed with small gifts and printable “Wrap Trap” cards that have fun challenges. A great Christmas game for all ages!
- Find the Guest Christmas Game – This printable game is perfect for hosting a Christmas party for co-workers or neighbors that may not know each other well. A perfect ice breaker holiday game that involves asking other party guests about the questions on the game card.
- Christmas Scattergories Game – Like the classic categories game but with Christmas-themed questions and answers!
