The holiday season is upon us and it’s time for some fun games! If you’re planning a gift exchange for a large or small group, why not try the Christmas Right Left Gift Exchange? This game is sure to keep everyone entertained and engaged.
What is the Christmas Right Left Gift Exchange?
The Christmas Right Left Gift Exchange is a game that involves passing around gifts while a story is being read. The story contains specific words that prompt the players to pass their gift either to the person on their right or left. At the end of the story, the gift that each player ends up with is theirs to keep!
How to Play
To play the Christmas Right Left Gift Exchange, you’ll need to have everyone gather around in a circle with their wrapped gift. The gifts should be medium to small in size, as they will be passed around frequently throughout the game.
Once everyone is seated and ready to play, begin the story. The story used for this game can be found online or you can create your own! As the story is being read, listen carefully for the specific words that prompt you to pass your gift either to the person on your right or left.
Here is an example of a story that can be used:
*‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was stirring, except for a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
Mom in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.
Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ’ere he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”’*As the story is being read, follow the directions and pass your gift to the person on your right or left when prompted. The game is over once the story has been read in its entirety.
Variations
There are many variations of the Christmas Right Left Gift Exchange, so feel free to get creative! One variation is to have everyone choose a number and then pass their gift left or right based on whether the number is even or odd. Another variation is to have a list of holiday-themed words, and when that word is read in the story, instead of passing the gift, the player has to do a specific action (such as sing a song or tell a joke) before continuing with the game.
Regardless of which variation you choose, the Christmas Right Left Gift Exchange is sure to add some excitement to your holiday festivities!
