Some people eagerly anticipate participating in a White Elephant, Secret Santa, or similar Christmas gift exchange. Others? They’d rather pass.
But what if there was a gift exchange game where “passing” was actually the whole point? Enter the “Pass The Gift Christmas Game,” also known as the Left-Right Christmas Game – a delightful and engaging activity perfect for groups of all sizes and ages. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, low-pressure, and incredibly easy-to-organize gift exchange, this is it. As the host, you’ll be thrilled to discover just how simple it is to set up and how much joy it brings to your holiday gathering.
Understanding the Magic of the Pass the Gift Christmas Game
At its heart, the Pass the Gift Christmas Game is a variation of a gift exchange that uses a story to dictate the flow of presents. Unlike White Elephant or Secret Santa, where gifts are chosen or stolen strategically, this game relies on the words “left” and “right” within a narrative to guide the passing of gifts around a circle of participants.
Each person arrives with a wrapped gift, typically within a pre-agreed value range (around $20 is common and keeps things accessible). Everyone gathers in a circle, clutching their contribution. Then, the fun begins as someone reads aloud a specially chosen Christmas story or poem. The catch? This story is peppered with the words “left” and “right.” Whenever these words are spoken, participants pass their gift in the corresponding direction. This continues until the story concludes, and whatever gift you happen to be holding at that moment is yours to keep!
How to Play the Left-Right Christmas Game: Step-by-Step
Ready to bring this entertaining game to your Christmas party? Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
- Gift Gathering: Inform your guests beforehand that you’ll be playing a Pass the Gift Christmas Game and specify the gift value limit. This ensures everyone brings a gift that’s appropriate and enjoyable for exchange.
- Circle Up: Arrange chairs or designate a space where everyone can sit comfortably in a circle. This formation is crucial for the smooth passing of gifts.
- Story Time: Choose your “left-right” story. You can use the example story provided below, find one online, or even get creative and write your own! The key is to have a story with a good number of “left” and “right” cues.
- Gift Distribution: Have each participant hold onto the wrapped gift they brought.
- Read Aloud: The designated reader (that could be you!) begins to read the story at a moderate pace.
- Pass the Presents: As the reader says “left,” everyone passes their gift to the person on their left. When “right” is read, gifts are passed to the right. Make sure everyone is paying attention and passing promptly to keep the game flowing smoothly and energetically.
- Story’s End, Gift’s Fate: Once the story concludes, the game stops. The gift each person is holding is the one they get to unwrap and keep!
Pro-Tip: Avoiding the Gift-Return Dilemma
A little planning can prevent anyone from accidentally receiving their own gift back, which can be a bit anticlimactic. Before the game starts, you can subtly count the number of “left” and “right” cues in your chosen story. Based on the number of participants, you can roughly estimate where the gifts will end up. If you suspect gifts might circle back to their owners, you can add or adjust a line or two in the story to shift the direction and ensure a more varied gift distribution. A simple concluding line like, “And with that, there’s nothing LEFT but to open the gift you’re holding,” can act as a final “left” cue if needed!
A Festive Left-Right Christmas Story to Get You Started
The magic of the Pass the Gift Christmas Game truly comes alive with a fun and engaging story. While the core requirement is simply to include “left” and “right” prompts, a story that entertains makes the game even more enjoyable. Here’s a sample story you can use, adapt, or let it inspire you to create your own unique narrative:
Suing Santa
Once upon a time, there was a lawyer named Bob RIGHT. His son’s name was Bill RIGHT, and together, father and son started their own law firm named RIGHT, RIGHT, & Associates.
RIGHT, RIGHT & Associates was famous for lawsuits that LEFT people penniless. They LEFT the Easter Bunny penniless when they sued him for the rancid eggs he LEFT in a child’s basket. They LEFT the Tooth Fairy penniless when they sued her for the insufficient compensation she LEFT under a child’s pillow.
But the biggest target of all was still LEFT – Santa Claus. He, too, would be LEFT penniless… if everything went RIGHT.
The father and son team found just the RIGHT client in an 8-year-old girl named (appropriately enough) Sue. Little Sue was upset that Santa had LEFT coal in her stocking last Christmas. RIGHT, RIGHT, & Associates argued that their client had been put on the naughty list without cause. They presented lots of evidence that the girl did everything RIGHT the previous year.
The only thing LEFT was for Santa to testify. Jingling all the way, he marched RIGHT up to the witness stand, raised his RIGHT hand, and swore to tell the truth. Santa said that while it might appear that little Sue had done everything RIGHT, there was one thing she did that LEFT him no choice but to put the girl on the naughty list.
“This can’t be RIGHT!” protested Bob RIGHT.
“We LEFT no stone unturned in our investigation!” said Bill RIGHT.
All this courtroom drama LEFT Sue shaking with excitement. “All RIGHT, I confess! On Christmas Eve, I got up in the middle of the night and ate the cookies that were LEFT for Santa! I didn’t think there was enough time LEFT to be put on the naughty list!”
Santa responded RIGHT away: “Ho ho ho! Little Sue, I keep the naughty list in my LEFT pocket at all times so I can make revisions on the fly!”
And with that, the law firm of RIGHT, RIGHT, & Associates was LEFT with no choice but to drop its frivolous lawsuit against Santa. And that year, neither Bob RIGHT nor Bill RIGHT was surprised to find that Santa had LEFT them coal in their stockings. But little Sue was shocked to wake up on Christmas morning to find that Santa had forgiven her for the frivolous lawsuit and LEFT her a nice, shiny present RIGHT under the Christmas tree.
“I’m glad Santa LEFT the naughty list in his LEFT pocket this time!” said Sue. “Now let’s see what he LEFT me!”
Here’s a printable version of this story for your convenience:
Remember, this is just one example. For more inspiration, explore online resources for other left-right Christmas stories. Even better, personalize the game by crafting your own story! Incorporate inside jokes, references to your friends or family, or tailor the narrative to your specific group for a truly unique and memorable Pass the Gift Christmas Game experience.
Make Your Holiday Gathering Memorable with a Pass the Gift Game
The Pass the Gift Christmas Game is more than just a gift exchange; it’s a source of entertainment, laughter, and shared holiday spirit. Its simplicity and adaptability make it a fantastic choice for any Christmas gathering, from family reunions to office parties. So, this year, ditch the gift exchange dilemmas and embrace the fun of passing! You’ll find it’s the perfect way to unwrap joy and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Now there’s nothing LEFT for me to do but wish you luck, and a very Merry Christmas!
Roberta Jeeves
Roberta Jeeves is author of the book White Elephant Gift Exchange: Rules, Themes, and Ideas for Hosting a Perfect Holiday Gift Swap. You can buy or borrow it at Amazon.com.
