I absolutely adore giving gifts! One of my cherished Christmas traditions is hosting an exciting gift exchange. You’ve probably experienced the typical “steal and open” gift exchange before.
While that’s always fun, it’s refreshing to try something different. Enter the Left Right Christmas gift exchange game – a straightforward yet innovative twist on the usual.
For our gift exchange, I usually pick out quirky or practical, small gifts.
When it comes to wrapping them, I get creative. Sometimes, I’ll place a small item inside a large box to throw people off. I might even nestle a gift inside a frying pan.
If I’m wrapping something slender, like a paper towel roll, it’s sure to baffle the recipient. And for those who fancy themselves as “gift detectives”, I might throw in a salt shaker, just to keep them guessing.
The concept behind the Left Right Christmas gift exchange game is easy. You simply need a Christmas story peppered with the words “left” and “right.” We’ve prepared a fun adaptation of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” for you, subtly weaving in those directional cues. Check out the free printable below to get started!
How do you Play Left-Right Christmas Exchange Game?
It’s such a straightforward game; why not treat yourself to a rum and eggnog as you get familiar with the rules? Continue reading, and you’ll find a free download link further down the post. Simply print out the provided material.
Here’s how I like to set it up: Place all the gifts in a heap on a table. Then, ask everyone to shut their eyes.
Once their eyes are closed, signal them to pick a present. If they can’t immediately find one, they can feel around for a bit. This way, everyone starts with a random gift.
As you read through the story, pay attention to the words “right” and “left.” Every time either word is mentioned, gifts are passed in the corresponding direction. The gift will move from hand to hand as the story unfolds.
When the story concludes, the present in your hands is yours to unwrap! And there you have it – the easy-peasy guidelines to the right-left Christmas exchange game. Enjoy!
Left Right Christmas Exchange Game Story:
Keep reading for the printable below, but here’s the story if you want to read off your mobile:
Twas the night RIGHT before Christmas, when all RIGHT through the house. Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung RIGHT by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be RIGHT there.
The children were nestled all snug RIGHT in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced LEFT and RIGHT in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When RIGHT out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. LEFT to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and to the LEFT eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew RIGHT in that moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came from the LEFT, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! RIGHT, on Donner and Blitzen! LEFT To the top of the porch! LEFT to the top of the wall! Now dash RIGHT away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
So up RIGHT to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh LEFT 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 RIGHT around, RIGHT down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, RIGHT from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all LEFT tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! He had 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!
He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT to his work, And filled all the stockings, then turned LEFT with a jerk. And laying his finger to the LEFT of his nose, And giving a nod, RIGHT up the chimney he rose! He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And RIGHT away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
We have created a high resolution printable that’s free for the Left Right Christmas Gift Exchange game. You can download and print yourself, or take to a printer. The classic story of “Twas the night before Christmas” will add Christmas charm to fun gift exchanges.
Click here to go to Download Page
Click here to go to Download Page
This the first post of many more to come for Christmas games and Printables. Download the free printable for hilarious adult only “would you rather” or would you rather for kids.
