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Christmas

Left Right Christmas Game

Also called Left Right Gift Exchange, Right Left Christmas Story

Everyone holds a wrapped gift while the host reads a story; at every “left” or “right”, gifts pass that way, and you keep what you hold at the end.

people
6–30
time
10 min
energy
Calm
materials
Needs prep
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need2
How to play4

Before you start

Seat everyone in a circle, each holding one wrapped gift. Find or write a story packed with the words “left” and “right”.

  1. 1The host reads the story aloud at a steady pace.
  2. 2Every time the host says “left”, gifts move one place left; “right”, one place right.
  3. 3Players pass the gift they are holding, not one they choose.
  4. 4When the story ends, each player keeps and opens the gift in their hands.
What to say3
  1. 1“Hold your gift — and listen very carefully!”
  2. 2““Santa LEFT the North Pole, and was RIGHT on time…””
  3. 3“The end! Whatever you're holding — it's yours!”
Host tips3
  • Do a test run with two practice lines first. Half the circle always passes the wrong way on the first “left”.
  • Slow down at clusters of “left” and “right” — if you rush, gifts end up stacked in someone's lap and arguments start.
  • Use it as a gentler alternative to White Elephant: no stealing, nobody feels targeted, and it takes ten minutes instead of forty.
Variants2

  • Speed read

    Read faster towards the end so gifts pile up and chaos breaks out.

  • Write your own

    Write the story about your office or family. Inside jokes double the laughs.

Safety1
  • Food gifts sealed and labelled for allergens.
Good for

Occasions

ChristmasReunionSchool

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall