The Holiday Collection
The short answer: The left right Christmas game is a gift exchange where everyone holds a wrapped gift and passes it to the left or right each time a reader says LEFT or RIGHT in a story. When the story ends, you keep whatever you're holding. It takes about five minutes, needs no prep beyond the story, and works for kids, coworkers and big families.
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Below is a free story you can read aloud tonight, plus rules, a budget guide and fun variations.
I'm the oldest of three, and I was always the one keeping everyone coordinated at family gatherings. Games like this one are my favorite kind of hosting: one simple rule, and the whole room is laughing.
Left right Christmas game rules
- Set a price limit. $10 to $25 is typical. Put it on the invitation.
- Everyone brings one wrapped gift and sits in a circle holding it.
- Pick a reader. The reader reads the story slowly and clearly.
- Pass on every LEFT or RIGHT. Each player passes the gift in their hands one seat in that direction.
- Keep what you're holding when the story ends, then open gifts one at a time.
| Group size | Story length | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 10 | Full story below | Read slowly; the passing is the fun part |
| 11 to 20 | Full story | Sit close together so gifts don't drop |
| 21 or more | Split into 2 circles | Give each circle its own reader |
Free left right Christmas story to read aloud
The Night Before the Family Party
The night before the big party, Mom LEFT a note on the fridge: "Remember, everything has to be RIGHT for tomorrow." So Dad went RIGHT to the store. He turned LEFT at the light, then RIGHT into the lot, and found there was only one cart LEFT.
He grabbed the cart and went RIGHT to the baking aisle. The last bag of flour was on the LEFT, so he took it RIGHT away. Then he remembered the list he had LEFT on the kitchen table. "Was it sugar on the RIGHT side of the list or butter on the LEFT?" he wondered. He bought both, just to be RIGHT.
Back home, Grandma was in the kitchen. "You LEFT the door open," she said. "Shut it RIGHT now before the cookies get cold." The cookies were cooling on the LEFT counter, and the pie was on the RIGHT. The dog wandered in from the LEFT, sniffed to the RIGHT, and decided the pie smelled just RIGHT.
"Not RIGHT now!" everyone yelled. The dog LEFT the kitchen and curled up on the RIGHT side of the couch, next to the presents LEFT under the tree.
The next day the guests arrived. Aunt Gail came in on the LEFT, Uncle Ray came in on the RIGHT, and the cousins ran RIGHT to the snack table. Grandma said, "There are plenty of cookies LEFT, so take one from the LEFT plate, not the RIGHT one. The RIGHT one is for Santa."
When it was time for presents, everyone sat RIGHT down in a circle. "Pass to the LEFT," said Mom. "No, the RIGHT," said Dad. "Whatever is LEFT in your hands is yours," said Grandma, "and that's the RIGHT way to end a party." And she was RIGHT. Merry Christmas!
That story has 37 LEFTs and RIGHTs. For a shorter game, stop after the paragraph about the guests arriving.
Gift ideas that work for the left right game
Because nobody chooses their gift, the best ones appeal to almost anyone:
- Cozy socks, a fleece blanket or a candle
- Hot cocoa kit, coffee sampler or a box of cookies
- A card game, puzzle or holiday movie and popcorn
- A gift card, wrapped in a box so it isn't obvious
- A small plant, kitchen gadget or ornament
If kids are in the circle, choose toys that suit the youngest player. The American Academy of Pediatrics' choking prevention guide says to follow the age recommendations on toy packages and avoid toys with small or detachable parts for young children.
Fun variations
- Name version: swap in guests' names ("Kim LEFT the room"). Everyone listens harder.
- Across and back: add the word ACROSS and pass to the person across the circle.
- Candy round: pass candy canes or chocolates instead of gifts for a no-cost warm-up.
- Two-circle race: two readers, two circles, same story. The first circle to finish without a dropped gift wins a bonus prize.
- Office version: set a $10 to $15 limit and use generic, non-personal gifts.
Looking for more ideas for the same night? Try our Christmas party games, compare formats in our gift exchange ideas, or read the white elephant rules. Once the gifts are settled, keep going with Christmas charades.
Keep the gift exchange on budget
Money worries top the list of holiday stressors. In the American Psychological Association's holiday stress poll, 58% of adults said spending too much or not having enough money stresses them during the season. A clear price limit on the invitation helps everyone.
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. Set a budget for every person, log each purchase, and plan the party menu and to-do list on printable pages.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). The gift planner plus a meal planner, cleaning schedule and savings trackers.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. Plan the party snacks and shop in one trip.
Browse the Holiday shop or all our Printables. The free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is 3 US Letter pages, emailed after you join the list.
Want another prize game? The saran wrap ball game hides small prizes in layers of plastic wrap.
The Holiday Collection
Give every person a limit and watch what's left
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner adds up every list for you: a budget for each person, a log of each purchase and the amount left to spend, plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
- Spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets
- 11 printable pages, US Letter + A4
- Instant download, 14-day fix-or-refund promise
Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
How do you play the left right Christmas game? Everyone sits in a circle holding one wrapped gift. One person reads a story out loud, and every time the word LEFT or RIGHT is read, each player passes the gift they are holding one seat in that direction. When the story ends, you keep the gift in your hands and open it.
What do you need for the left right gift exchange? You need one wrapped gift per player, a circle of chairs or floor space, and a left right story with plenty of LEFTs and RIGHTs. A reader who isn't playing makes it smoother, but the reader can also hold a gift and pass along with everyone else.
How much should each gift cost? Most groups set a price limit of $10 to $25 so everyone brings something of similar value. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) helps here: it lets you set the exchange gift as its own line in your holiday budget so a $20 swap doesn't quietly become $40.
How long does the left right game take? Reading the story takes about 3 to 5 minutes, and opening gifts adds another 10 to 15 minutes for a group of 10. It's one of the fastest gift exchanges, which is why hosts like it for office parties and big family gatherings.
Can kids play the left right Christmas game? Yes, kids can play the left right Christmas game. Kids love the passing, and the story is easy to follow. Run a separate kids' circle with kid-friendly gifts, and check that toys suit the youngest player's age.
What if I end up with my own gift? Most groups allow a quick swap with the person on your left or right. You can also run a short bonus round: the reader says one more LEFT or RIGHT and everyone passes once more.
How many people can play? The game works with anywhere from about 5 to 30 players. With more than 20, split into two circles with a reader for each so the passing doesn't stall.
Can you play the left right game without gifts? Yes, you can play the left right game without gifts. Pass candy canes, wrapped chocolates, scratch-off cards or small envelopes with jokes or prize slips inside. The rules stay the same.
Is the left right game the same as white elephant? No, the left right game is not the same as white elephant. In white elephant, players choose and steal gifts in turns, which takes longer and can get competitive. In the left right game, the story decides who ends up with what, so there's no stealing and no hurt feelings.
What makes a good left right story? A good story uses LEFT and RIGHT 25 to 40 times, mixes the directions often, and is short enough to read in under five minutes. Using the names of people in the room makes it funnier.
Can I write my own left right story? Yes, you can write your own left right story. Write a short holiday story about your family or office, then go back and swap in LEFT and RIGHT wherever they fit, including words like 'right away' and 'left over.' Read it once out loud to check the timing.
How do I plan a gift exchange on a budget? Set one price limit, announce it with the invitation, and buy the exchange gift early so it doesn't land on top of last-minute shopping. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) keeps the gift list, budget and party to-do list in one place.
Free printable
Christmas bingo for up to 20 players
A caller sheet with 48 words and 20 different cards. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with simple holiday planning, budgeting and hosting tips.
