Looking for a fun Christmas gift exchange game to bring extra cheer to your holiday season? Look no further! This Left Right Christmas game printable features an original poem inspired by ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and is the perfect way to get everyone laughing and swapping gifts. With easy-to-follow instructions and a festive story, it’s a great way to add a little extra magic to your next holiday gathering. Plus, you can download the PDF for free, making it simple to bring this Christmas game to life!
RELATED: Roll the dice is another option when planning an exciting Christmas gift exchange game party.
Left Right Christmas Story
Need a nostalgic touch at your Christmas gathering this year? Why not use this adaptation of the 1823 classic Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. Nick” or “T’was the Night Before Christmas” by Clement C. Moore? It works perfectly as a left-right game story.
T’was the night RIGHT before Christmas when RIGHT
through the house, Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even
a mouse.
The stockings were LEFT by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be RIGHT there.
The children were nestled RIGHT down down in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced LEFT and RIGHT in
their heads. And mama in her kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled RIGHT down for a long winter’s nap.
When RIGHT out on the LEFT lawn there arose such a
clatter. I sprang RIGHT from the bed to see what was the
matter. RIGHT to the window I flew like a flash,
I tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, LEFT a lustre
of midday to objects RIGHT below. When what to my
wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight
tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver RIGHT lively and quick,
I knew RIGHT away it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them RIGHT by name.
Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the RIGHT top of the porch to the LEFT 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 RIGHT up the sky.
So RIGHT up to the house top the coursers they LEFT flew.
With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas, too!
And then in a twinkling I heard RIGHT on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each RIGHT and LEFT hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning RIGHT around, Down
the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, RIGHT down from his head to LEFT
boot, And his clothes were LEFT tarnished with ashes & soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung RIGHT on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His RIGHT eye-how it twinkled, his LEFT dimple, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was LEFT up like a bow,
And the beard RIGHT on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held RIGHT 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 bowl full of jelly!
He was right chubby and plump, a RIGHT jolly old elf, And I
laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his LEFT eye and a RIGHT twist of his head soon
LEFT me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT to work, Filled all the
stockings, then turned with a jerk. Laying his finger on the
LEFT side of his nose, Giving me a nod, RIGHT up the
chimney he rose.
He sprang RIGHT 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 RIGHT out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all
and to all a good night!”
Engage young and old alike with this exciting way to pass gifts! Perfect for families, classrooms, and office parties, too. Just choose the Narrator, sit in a circle, and pass gifts to the LEFT or RIGHT as prompted in the poem! The Christmas party game ends when the poem is finished and the gift you are holding is yours! Happy Christmas!!!
The Left Right Christmas Game is a fun gift exchange game to play with friends during the holidays. It’s a simple game, but it can be a lot of fun to see who ends up getting the best gifts. This left right story is a delightful for your white elephant gift exchange or create a low-stress gift swap everyone will enjoy. If you want to keep things simple, have each guest bring their favorite candy bar—no fuss, no stress, just sweet holiday fun! As the story mentions left side and right side, gifts will change hands with plenty of laughter along the way. Whether you’re hosting a small family gathering or a big office party, this game is sure to be a hit.
The Night Before Christmas left right Game Supplies
Ready to play? Here’s what you need!
- one gift for each player to hold
- one chair or space for each player to sit in a circle
- one copy of this poem for the Narrator
How To Play The Left Right Game Night Before Christmas
- As written, this game has 45 passes in all making a net of 15 passes to the right so you can plan accordingly. For example, a group of 15 players would end up with their own gifts, so 2 smaller circles would work better for a group of 15.
- Enlist the help of older children to prompt younger children when it is time to pass.
- Choose a narrator who will read loudly, joyfully, with lots of expressions, and who can monitor the passing of the gifts.
- This is supposed to be FUN and SILLY! Mistakes make it even more fun!
Now that the presents have been passed to their new owners, are there rules for opening the gifts? No rules, but a suggestion would be to start with the youngest player and proceed in a circle.
We hope this game becomes a fun part of your Christmas Story and for goodness’ sake, don’t shoot your eye out! By the way, what is your favorite Christmas movie?
More Fun free printable Christmas Games
Check out these Christmas games at Skip to My Lou! I want to help your Christmas be Family Friendly and Fun!
- Roll the Dice Christmas Gift Exchange – such a fun Christmas gift game!
- Kid’s Christmas Placemats and Christmas Word Search keep kids busy during long dinners and while adults are chatting.
- Christmas Charades get guests up and moving!
- Christmas Pictionary with free printable cards is a sure way to hear loads of laughter.
- Christmas Bingo is always a crowd-pleaser. These free printable cards are darling.
- Test a bit of your friends and family’s knowledge with Christmas Trivia.
- Looking ahead? We have you covered with New Year’s Eve Charades. and games.
Make your holiday season memorable with this fun Christmas gift exchange game! Our Left Right Christmas game printable is easy to use and guarantees laughter as gifts are passed from the left side to the right side. It’s the perfect way to enjoy festive fun with friends and family while sharing thoughtful gift ideas. Download the free PDF today, and let the holiday magic begin—Santa would definitely approve!
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