4 Left-Right Christmas Game Stories (Free Printable)

This Left-Right Christmas gift pass is an easy way to run a gift exchange for a family gathering, classroom, or holiday party. Read one of these original stories aloud while guests pass their wrapped gifts around the circle.

There are four scripts to choose from, including one for an adult party. The LEFT and RIGHT cues are bold so the reader can spot each pass.

Want to make life easy? Grab the free printable for these games at the bottom of the post.

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Also read: Christmas gift exchange themes

How to Play the Left-Right Christmas Gift Pass

• Ask each guest to bring one wrapped gift within the budget you agreed on. Similar gift values help keep the exchange fair.
• Have everyone sit or stand in a circle holding the gift they brought.
• Choose a reader to read one story at a steady pace. Every time the story says LEFT, each person passes their gift one place to the left. Every time it says RIGHT, pass one place to the right.
• Keep passing until the story ends. The gift each guest is holding at the last line is theirs to open.

There is no stealing and no one is eliminated, so the game works well for mixed ages. For younger kids, let an adult sit beside them and help with each pass. Keep the circle close enough that gifts can move safely from hand to hand.

4 Left-Right Christmas Game Stories

Read the story straight through, passing every time you hear a bold direction word. If the group wants another round, hand out fresh gifts and choose a different story.

1. The Christmas Eve Mix-Up

On Christmas Eve, Maya set the cookies on the LEFT side of the table and the cocoa on the RIGHT. Dad looked LEFT for the missing ribbon, while Ben checked RIGHT beside the tree. Grandma turned RIGHT to answer the door, then came back and sat on the LEFT. Everyone looked RIGHT as a reindeer crossed the garden from LEFT to RIGHT. Maya passed the last cookie to her LEFT, and Dad lifted his mug with his RIGHT hand. A little later, the family moved LEFT to make room for the presents. The cat sneaked RIGHT under the chair, then darted LEFT toward the hallway. Grandma laughed and pointed RIGHT at the stockings. At last, everyone turned LEFT toward the tree, wished one another a happy Christmas, and opened the gift they were holding.

2. Santa’s Mixed-Up Delivery

Santa checked his list, then looked LEFT for the address and RIGHT for his glasses. The reindeer were waiting on the RIGHT side of the roof, but Rudolph had wandered LEFT to sniff a wreath. Santa climbed down the chimney and landed to the LEFT of the fireplace. He placed one present on the RIGHT, then spotted the toy sack on the LEFT. A mouse ran RIGHT across the rug, so Santa stepped LEFT to avoid it. Outside, the sleigh had turned RIGHT when it should have turned LEFT. The reindeer pulled it back, swung LEFT around the chimney, and headed RIGHT over the snowy town. Santa waved with his LEFT hand, held on with his RIGHT, and delivered the final gift just before sunrise.

3. The Holiday Party Gift Shuffle

At the office holiday party, Jamie put the gift pile on the LEFT side of the room and the snacks on the RIGHT. Alex arrived carrying a plate in the LEFT hand and a drink in the RIGHT. The playlist started, so everyone moved RIGHT toward the music, then LEFT to make space for the late arrivals. Morgan looked LEFT for the name tags while Casey checked RIGHT beside the coat rack. Someone called from the RIGHT that the gift exchange was starting. The group formed a circle, with the tallest person on the LEFT and the person holding the cookies on the RIGHT. Jamie read the first card, turned LEFT, then changed direction and pointed RIGHT. Everyone passed a present, laughed, and looked LEFT to see where it had gone. By the final line, the whole room was smiling at the gift in front of them.

4. The Snowman’s Surprise

After the first snowfall, Ella rolled a big snowball to the LEFT of the garden path. Her brother rolled a smaller one on the RIGHT. They stacked the snowballs, placed a hat on the LEFT, and found a bright scarf on the RIGHT. Their snowman leaned LEFT, so Ella pushed the base toward the RIGHT. A robin landed on the LEFT arm, then flew RIGHT to the fence. The children went LEFT to fetch a carrot and came back from the RIGHT. When they returned, the snowman had a button on the LEFT side and a mitten on the RIGHT. A neighbor walked over from the LEFT with a warm smile. The children stepped RIGHT to make room, then stood LEFT and RIGHT of their new friend for a picture. As the sun set, they waved from the LEFT side of the path and headed RIGHT back inside for cocoa.

Make the Gift Pass Work for Your Group

Choose the story that suits the people taking part. The Christmas Eve Mix-Up and The Snowman’s Surprise are gentle choices for families; Santa’s Mixed-Up Delivery adds a sillier tone for kids and grown-ups; The Holiday Party Gift Shuffle is written for coworkers and adult groups.

If you have a large group, ask one person to read clearly and pause for a moment after each direction. For a small group, sit close together so the gifts make a smooth trip around the circle. You can also print a copy of the story for the reader so they can keep both hands free.

Also read: Christmas gift exchange games for families and adults.

Also read: Christmas party games for the whole family

For more Christmas activities and party ideas, browse the Christmas games and activities hub.

Get the Free Left-Right Christmas Printable

The printable includes all four read-aloud stories, with LEFT and RIGHT cues to follow as everyone passes their gifts.