There’s something magical about gathering together at Christmastime. The lights, the music, the warm kitchen smells, the cozy feeling of everyone slowing down for a moment…it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the season.
And if you’re anything like me, you love adding little traditions, activities, and games that make the day feel extra special without adding any stress.
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite easy Christmas activities: a Christmas Left-Right Game that you can print out and use with your family, friends, coworkers, kids, or your holiday party crew. It’s silly, simple, and guaranteed to amp up those good holiday vibes!
And yes, you’ll find the free printable below.
Maybe you’re hosting Christmas Eve…or planning a classroom party…or pulling together a last-minute get-together…or just want something festive to do as a family. Whatever you’re cooking up, this game is such a fun way to bring everyone together.
What is a Christmas Left-Right Game?
You’ve most likely played a version of this game at one time or another. It’s a pretty common one. But if you’ve never played a left-right game before, let me give you the quick and simple rundown.
You’ll gather everyone in a circle and give one person a small gift or prize. Sometimes it’s candy. Sometimes it’s a pair of fuzzy socks. Sometimes it’s something funny or random from around the house. You get to choose.
Then someone reads the story.
Every time the story says LEFT, the gift is passed to the left.
Every time the story says RIGHT, the gift is passed to the right.
That’s it. It sounds simple, right? And it is! But it’s not as easy to DO as you might think and that’s what makes it fun.
Kids love it. Adults love it. And it’s a stress-free way to add joyful connection to your holiday celebration.
Why This Game Is Perfect for Any Holiday Gathering
One thing I love most about left-right games is how flexible they are. You can use them in so many different settings, and they always work.
Here are a few ways to use the printables included on this post:
- Classroom parties when you need something quick and low-prep
- Christmas Eve family gatherings after dinner or while you’re waiting on dessert
- Workplace holiday parties as an easy team-building activity
- Small friend groups during a cookie exchange or gift swap
- At home with the kids on a snowy December night when you want to do something festive without a lot of fuss
And you don’t need a big prize to play, either. Anything works, really. A treat, a tiny trinket, a dollar-store item, a mini stocking stuffer…even use what you already have on hand.
I personally love adding cozy touches like a hot cocoa packet tied with ribbon or a small little surprise tucked inside a candy cane striped bag.
Download and Print Your Free Printable Christmas Left-Right Game
You’ll find two printable games here that are family-friendly and full of Christmas cheer. They’re both written in a fun storytelling style that’ll keep the energy high and the group engaged. The full-text of each one is included a bit further down the page.
Click here to download Christmas Left-Right Game #1 – The Right Family Christmas
Click here to download Christmas Left-Right Game #2 – The Great Christmas Mix-Up
Print one copy for the reader or multiple copies so everyone can follow along.
Use it as-is or tuck it into a party binder, holiday planner, or activity folder for the season.
Just make sure you’re using it for your own personal use!
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How to Play the Left-Right Game
If you’re brand new to the game {or just need a quick refresher}, here’s how easy it is.
Step 1: Gather your group
Sit everyone in a circle or around a table. Make sure there’s enough elbow room for the gift to be passed easily.
Step 2: Choose your prize
Pick something fun and lightweight. It can be a wrapped gift or something unwrapped. Totally up to you.
Step 3: Assign a storyteller
Print the story, hand it to a confident or silly reader, and let them set the tone.
Step 4: Start reading aloud
Every time you hear LEFT or RIGHT, pass the gift in that direction.
Step 5: Whoever ends up with the gift at the end keeps it
And yes, this always leads to unexpected giggles, especially toward the end when everyone starts hoping, trying, or laughing their way into holding onto that prize.
It’s all in good fun.
Christmas Left-Right Story Scripts
Here are the full stories included in the printables. You can read them straight from here, but the printable makes things much easier for game day.
Gather everyone in a circle and give one person the gift to start. Choose a story to read aloud and have players pass the gift LEFT or RIGHT every time they hear the words LEFT or RIGHT.
Feel free to use these stories in classrooms, family gatherings, church groups, homeschool co-ops, or just for a fun evening at home.
THE CHRISTMAS LEFT-RIGHT GAME #1: The Right Family’s Christmas
It was Christmas Eve at the RIGHT family’s house, and everything felt merry and bright. Snow was falling softly outside, and Mrs. RIGHT was finishing the last batch of cookies LEFT on the cooling rack.
“Don’t forget the stockings!” she reminded Mr. RIGHT, who had just LEFT the living room to grab the tape.
“I already hung the stockings RIGHT by the tree,” he called back. “But I think I LEFT my scissors in the kitchen!”
Their children, Liam and Lucy, were bouncing with excitement. They had already LEFT carrots for the reindeer and set a plate of cookies RIGHT beside the fireplace for Santa.
“Should we read a Christmas story?” Lucy asked, holding a book in her LEFT hand.
“Great idea,” Mr. RIGHT said, walking RIGHT back into the room with a smile.
Just then, the family heard a soft knock at the door. Liam ran to the LEFT window to peek outside.
“No one’s there,” he said, puzzled.
But when they opened the door, a small wrapped gift sat RIGHT on the welcome mat with a tag that read:
For the RIGHT family
They brought the gift inside and placed it RIGHT under the tree.
“What if we read our story first?” Mrs. RIGHT suggested. “Then we’ll see what’s LEFT inside the present.”
The family sat together, the lights twinkling, the tree glowing, and the magic of Christmas all around. They read, they laughed, and they enjoyed every moment as the night drifted on.
When the last page was turned, Lucy leaned LEFT to grab the gift. Liam sat RIGHT beside her, eyes wide with wonder.
“Are you ready?” Mrs. RIGHT asked.
They nodded.
Inside the box was something simple but perfect: a tiny ornament shaped like a heart with the word JOY written RIGHT across the front.
And from that night on, every Christmas Eve, the RIGHT family remembered the year a little mystery gift was LEFT on their doorstep at just the RIGHT time.
Christmas Left-Right Game #2: The Great Christmas Mix-Up
It was Christmas Eve, and everyone in the Roberts family was {finally} ready for their big holiday tradition. But when Grandpa went to put the gifts on the RIGHT table, he realized he had set them all on the LEFT one instead.
Grandma laughed so hard she nearly dropped her mug of cocoa, but she quickly picked it up with her RIGHT hand and moved the gifts to the LEFT side of the room.
Meanwhile, little Emma was worried they might run out of cookies. She tapped her mom on the RIGHT shoulder and whispered, {Should we bake more?} Mom nodded and headed LEFT toward the kitchen.
Just then, the family dog, Holly, zipped RIGHT past everyone with a jingle bell in her mouth. She turned LEFT, then RIGHT again, making everyone laugh as she skidded across the floor.
Grandpa looked at the tree and realized something was missing. The star was leaning a little too far to the RIGHT. So he carefully climbed the step stool, adjusted it LEFT a tiny bit, and stepped RIGHT back down.
Emma giggled and pointed to the presents. {Grandpa, you put those on the WRONG side again!} Grandpa scratched his head and moved them LEFT once more, only for Holly to trot RIGHT over and nose them to the LEFT again.
The entire family gathered around and decided it didn’t matter which side the gifts were on. They sat down together, took a moment to admire the twinkling lights, and passed cocoa mugs from LEFT to RIGHT.
But just as they were about to start opening presents, the power went out. The room went dark, and everyone froze. Then Emma shouted, {I know where the flashlights are!} and darted LEFT toward the hallway closet.
She came RIGHT back with three flashlights, handing one LEFT to her brother and one RIGHT to Grandpa.
With light restored, the family cheered, Holly barked, and Grandma announced, {All RIGHT everyone, let’s finally get to the gifts!} They all turned LEFT, then RIGHT, not really sure where the presents had ended up anymore.
And that was part of the fun.
Tips to Make the Game Even More Fun
If you want to take things up a notch, here are some cute add-ons:
- Let the kids pick the prize
- Play with more than one gift in rotation
- Use a timer and pause the reader halfway through for a dramatic moment
- Play Christmas music quietly in the background
- Add a second round with a different prize
- Wrap the gift inside multiple boxes for surprise layers
You can also combine this with other printables like coloring pages, word searches, or a Christmas scavenger hunt for a full cozy holiday activity bundle.
Left-Right Game WRAP Up
The holidays are filled with so many tiny moments that become big memories later. Games like this are easy to pull together but create the kind of laughter and connection that everyone remembers.
I hope this printable adds a little extra magic to your Christmas celebration this year. Merry Christmas, friend.
And if you use this game, I’d love to know how it went. Tell me your funniest moment or who ended up with the gift at the end. Enjoy every moment.
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