Free Right Left Christmas Game Printable for a Gift Exchange

If you like the idea of a holiday gift exchange but want something different from Secret Santa or a steal-a-gift game, this Right Left Christmas Game Printable is a fun alternative. 

It works well with white elephant gifts, nicer gifts with a price limit, or little treasures for kids. 

If you’ve never played before, it’s easy to jump right in. Everyone sits in a circle holding a small wrapped gift while one person reads the Christmas story out loud. Every time the word RIGHT is said, gifts are passed to the right. When LEFT is said, they go the other way. When the story ends, the gift you’re holding is the one you keep.

You can also play with just one special gift if you prefer.

This version has a fun ugly sweater party theme and comes as a free printable story you can download and print at the end of the post. 

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Table of Contents

• What’s Included in the Printable
• How to Play this Christmas Gift Exchange Game
• Helpful Tips for Hosting

What’s Included in the Printable

• One left right silly Christmas story that includes clear LEFT and RIGHT cues throughout the gift-passing game.
• Easy-to-read formatting
• Designed with the "left" and "right" in red and green so the reader can follow along without losing their place.

This free printable is for personal use or classroom use (non-commercial use). It works well for family gatherings, classroom celebrations, office parties, and holiday get-togethers.

How to Play this Christmas Gift Exchange Game

Option 1: Everyone Brings a Small Gift

1. Each player brings one wrapped gift.
2. Sit in a circle and give everyone a gift to start.
3. Choose one person to read the story out loud.
4. Every time LEFT or RIGHT is said, pass the gift in that direction.
5. When the story ends, the gift you’re holding is the one you keep.
6. Open presents at the end of the story.

Option 2: One Gift Only

1. Use one wrapped gift.
2. Sit in a circle and choose one person to start holding the gift.
3. Read the story out loud.
4. Pass the gift to the left or right whenever those words are heard.
5. Whoever is holding the gift at the end keeps it.

This left right story makes a unique gift exchange game for any holiday party. If you’d like more simple printables this holiday season, you can find them when you subscribe to our newsletter.