Left Right Christmas Game: Free Story to Read Aloud

By Cedar & Ledger

The left right Christmas game is the easiest gift exchange there is. Everyone sits in a circle holding a wrapped gift, someone reads a story out loud, and every time the reader says "left" or "right," everyone passes their gift that way. When the story ends, you keep whatever gift is in your hands. Below are the rules, a free original story and tips for different groups.

How to play

1. Everyone brings one wrapped gift (set a price limit, such as $10).
2. Sit or stand in a circle, each holding a gift.
3. The reader reads the story slowly. On every LEFT, pass your gift to the left. On every RIGHT, pass it to the right.
4. Words like "left over" and "all right" count too. That's half the fun.
5. When the story ends, open the gift you're holding.

Takes about 5 minutes. Works for 4 to 40 people.

Free story: The Night the Elves Got Lost

Read it slowly and stress each LEFT and RIGHT.

On Christmas Eve, two young elves named Pip and Holly were told to deliver the last sack of presents. "Turn RIGHT at the big pine tree," said the head elf, "then go LEFT at the frozen pond. Don't forget anything!"

Pip grabbed the sack and Holly grabbed the map, and they LEFT the workshop RIGHT away. At the big pine tree, Pip turned LEFT. "No, no," said Holly, "the head elf said RIGHT!" So they turned around and went RIGHT, which meant the first LEFT turn was all wasted.

Soon they reached the frozen pond. Holly checked the map. "Now we go LEFT," she said. But Pip had LEFT his mittens back at the pine tree, so they went RIGHT back to get them. "Are you RIGHT sure they're there?" asked Holly. "I think I LEFT them on the LEFT side of the trunk," said Pip.

They found the mittens RIGHT where Pip said, and hurried back to the pond. This time they went LEFT without arguing. The snow fell faster and the wind blew from the RIGHT. "Only one house LEFT," said Holly, "and it's RIGHT over that hill."

At the last house, they tiptoed inside. Pip put the presents under the tree, Holly LEFT a thank-you note for the cookies, and they slipped out the door on the RIGHT. Back at the workshop, the head elf smiled. "Everything delivered RIGHT on time?"

"Every present," said Pip. "Nothing LEFT in the sack!"

"Then you did everything RIGHT," said the head elf. "Now go open the gift you're holding!"

The end. Everyone keeps the gift in their hands.

Variations

• Kids' version: Use small wrapped treats (a candy cane, a sticker sheet) instead of real gifts so nobody ends up sad.
• Office version: Keep the price limit low and use gag gifts; it pairs well with the ideas in office Christmas party ideas.
• Family version: Add the rule that on the word "Christmas," everyone stands up and sits back down.
• Second round: Read the story again but swap: pass right on "left" and left on "right."

Tips for the reader

• Read a little slower than feels natural; quick passes cause gift pileups.
• Pause briefly after each LEFT or RIGHT.
• Bold or highlight the words on your copy so you don't miss one.

More ready-to-read stories

Want more rounds without writing your own? Left Right Gift Games is a printable set of original left right stories for kids, families and office parties. It's also one of the 5 games in the Christmas Party Games Mega Pack. For more party ideas, see Christmas party games for kids and white elephant rules.

Related template: Left Right Gift Games. Also see: Christmas Party Games Mega Pack · the christmas party games adults template

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