Christmas Party Games Left Right Story (Free Printables!)
Perfect for families, kids, and office parties, a Left Right Christmas story this game is an easy way to add festive fun. Download your free printable stories, grab some wrapped gifts, and get ready for lots of laughs this holiday season. A great alternative to Secret Santa or white elephant games!

Looking for a fun Christmas gift exchange game that works for large groups, small gatherings, or even classroom parties? A Christmas party games Left Right story is one of the easiest (and most entertaining) games to play with kids, family members, or coworkers during the holiday season.
This simple gift passing game combines the excitement of a traditional gift exchange with a silly story full of the words LEFT and RIGHT. By the end of the story, everyone is laughing—and the wrapped gift you’re holding is yours to keep.
If you’ve been searching for Left Right Across Christmas game free printable options or a Left Right Christmas game free printable, you’re in the right place. I’ve created three brand-new Left-Right Christmas stories for you to instantly download and enjoy this holiday season:
- 🎁 A Grinch-themed Left Right story (perfect for little kids)
- 🎁 A family-friendly Christmas Eve story
- 🎁 A Santa’s Workshop chaos story
Keep reading for everything you need to know, plus a download link for your free printable PDF games!
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
What Is a Left-Right Christmas Game?
A Left-Right Christmas story game is a fun Christmas party game where players sit in a big circle and pass wrapped gifts left or right every time they hear the words “LEFT” or “RIGHT” in a silly holiday story.
Think of it as a festive twist on the standard white elephant gift exchange or Secret Santa—but with more giggles and way less strategy.
At the end of the story, the gift in your hands is yours to keep! It’s a fun holiday activity for:
- Family gatherings (kids, parents, grandparents—everyone can play)
- Office parties (a great alternative to white elephant games)
- Classroom use (kids love the verbal cues and silly chaos)
- Holiday parties with friends or neighbors
Why the Left-Right Game Is the Perfect Holiday Party Game
If you’ve ever struggled to come up with a fun gift game for holiday gatherings, you know how tough it can be to find something everyone enjoys. That’s why this game is always a hit:
- Works for younger kids all the way to grandparents
- Adds a fun twist to a standard Secret Santa gift exchange
- Can be played with any type of gift—homemade treats, party favors, even last-minute wrapped gifts
- Brings so much fun and laughter to the holiday season
Whether you’re celebrating on Christmas Eve, hosting an office Christmas party, or gathering for a family Christmas morning, a Left-Right Christmas game is a great way to make memories together.
How to Play a Left-Right Christmas Gift Exchange
The rules are simple, which is why this is one of my favorite Christmas traditions:
- Choose your gifts – Each person brings a small gift, like a $5 item, candy bars, or party favors. You can also wrap up random gifts for added laughs.
- Sit in a circle – Gather your group size together (works for small or large groups). Each person starts with one wrapped gift.
- Read the story aloud and follow the verbal cues: Pick one person to read the story out loud. Every time you hear the word LEFT, pass your gift to the left. When you hear RIGHT, pass to the right. When you hear ACROSS, pass the gift to the person across from you.
- End of the story – When the story ends, the gift in your lap is yours!
✨ Pro tip: Add some fun Christmas games variety by mixing in candy bars, gift cards, or silly stocking stuffers.
Get The Free Printable Left-Right Christmas Stories
I’ve created three exclusive free printables just for you—each available as an instant download in printable PDF format.
- Grinch-Themed Left Right Story: A silly, playful version that little kids will love. Perfect for classroom parties or a family Christmas party with younger kids.
- Christmas Eve Left Right Story: A family-friendly story with lots of LEFTs and RIGHTs for plenty of laughter. Great for holiday parties, family gatherings, or even office parties.
- Santa’s Workshop Chaos Left Right Story: A new spin where the elves can’t seem to do the RIGHT thing in Santa’s workshop. Full of festive fun for large groups or smaller groups.
You’ll receive 3 different stories in printable PDF format with easy-to-read verbal cues bolded in each story. It’s a fun holiday activity you can use again and again.
Once you enter your email address, the confirmation email will include your instant download link. These stories are for personal use only (not resale), but they make a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations.
What Kinds of Gifts Work Best?
One of the best parts of this gift passing game is how flexible it is. You can use it for literally any gift that can be easily held and passed! It’s always a good idea to have a few extra small gifts wrapped, just in case someone forgets theirs (especially important for kids parties).
Small items like candy bars or other holiday treats, gift cards (a special gift everyone loves!), Christmas-themed party favors or stocking stuffers or cozy items (socks, mugs, candles) are great ideas. You also can’t go wrong with fun holiday-themed items, like ornaments, Christmas books or silly toys.
Keep it budget-friendly with a price limit, or go with random gifts for more laughs. It’s the perfect game for both family members and coworkers at office parties.
More Fun Holiday Ideas for Families
If you love adding festive fun to your holiday parties, you might also enjoy:
- 50 Advent Calendar Activities for Toddlers
- Best Christmas Books for Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kids
- Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments
- Easy Christmas Simmer Pot Recipes
Each post is full of great ideas to make the most of this magical holiday season.
Final Thoughts: A Great Story + Much Fun
The Left-Right Christmas story game is such a fun way to bring everyone together during the holidays. Whether you’re playing with little kids around the Christmas tree, coworkers at an office Christmas party, or family members during your Christmas Eve celebration, this fun Christmas gift exchange game is a perfect addition to your holiday plans.
So grab your free printable story, wrap up some small gifts, and get ready for lots of laughter. By the end of the story, you’ll be shouting Merry Christmas! and calling it your favorite Christmas tradition.
Happy holidays and happy playing! 🎄✨
The holidays will be over in the blink of an eye, so use the image below to PIN this post to easily find it when you need it!
