I know this post is about my right left Christmas game, but I keep looking at my beautiful baby boy and James 1:17 is running through my head.  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the father of lights”.

We are blessed with so many gifts from God that the holidays feel like one big unneeded bonus, don’t you think?

My little boy is on the move and attracted to all things germy.  These kiddos keep me busy, but they sure make the holidays a blast!

Right Left Christmas Game: The Perfect White Elephant Christmas Game

My family loves games-any kind.  Board games, card games, dice games, we play them all.  We are loud and crazy and that pretty much describes the way our holidays run.

I wrote this right left Christmas game story as a gift exchange game several years ago.  It is my usual style of sappy and sentimental BUT it is cute and good for all ages.

It is about a little boy named Tommy who wants a special gift for Christmas (see sappy and sentimental!).  Click on the image below to read and print this cute right left Christmas Game!

How to Play Right Left Christmas Games

For those of you who do not know how to play this kind of gift exchange game, here is how we go about it.  Everyone sits in a circle and two gifts are placed in front of people who are opposite each other.  If you have a very large group, you might need more gifts or if there are only 4 people, one might be sufficient.

The story is read aloud and each time the word left is said, the gifts are passed to the left.  Each time the word right is said, the gifts pass to the right.  Whoever has the gift at the end of the story keeps it.

The hardest part is finding gifts that everyone will like because you don’t know who will end up with it!

Pass the Gift Game Poems

For those of you who want something shorter and a little less sappy, I’ve included a few pass the gift game poems that you might enjoy. These are fun and ready to print out so you can cross that off your party planning list.

The Day Sarah Met Mr. Right by Play Party Plan

It’s Always Fall has a cute Santa right left Christmas game

Other White Elephant Christmas Games You are Sure to Love

Let’s talk about white elephant gifts for a moment.  I know, I know, some of us love them but many of us hate them.  After all it is soooo difficult to find a neutral gift everyone will love.  On the flip side, drawing names or secret santa can put a lot of pressure on you too.

Rather than moaning and groaning and dreading the annual Christmas exchange, let’s embrace it, jump in with both feet!  While I am no party expert, I do so love a good time and the holidays are a perfect excuse to do something out of the ordinary, to mix up your boring Saturday evening, and put yourself out there.  

Still not convinced?  I have some great links that will push you past your negative feelings and help you feel confident.

If you have no idea what to buy check out these lists from Byliner and Happy Money Saver. They have some really dumb ideas such as pop up hot dog toaster and pizza socks but they also have some fun outside the box ideas such as slang flashcards, electric smores maker, and bicycle pizza slicer.

Now, onto some other fun white elephant Christmas games your family, friends, or coworkers are sure to enjoy. Since we have already talked about right left Christmas games here is an explanation of a traditional white elephant game and some fun variations.

According to Better Homes and Gardens, these are the official rules for white elephant games.

“White elephant is a gift exchange, so each person must bring one wrapped present to the Christmas party. Once everyone is assembled, have each person draw a number. The person with number “one” chooses a present to unwrap. The person with number “two” has a choice: They may choose a new, wrapped present, or they may take the unwrapped present from the first person. If they take the present from the first person, that person chooses another present to unwrap. The person with the number “three” may choose any previously unwrapped present or a new, wrapped one. The game continues until all presents have been unwrapped and everyone has a gift.”

You can vary this simple game in many ways.

• Trivia Gift Exchange such as this one by Party Game Ideas in which rather than drawing numbers, players must answer trivia questions correctly to choose or steal a gift.
• Hot Potato Gift Exchange is just like the game you played as a kid, but with gifts instead. Everyone has a gift and passes the gift around as the music is played. When the music stops, you get the gift in your hand.
• “Tells” Christmas Gift Exchange by Diva Girl Parties and Stuff is a fun one in which everyone is seated with a gift. “Tells” such as “if you have a tatoo” or “if you are wearing red” are called out. If that is you, switch seats with someone who is also switching.
• How about rolling the dice and switching or stealing your fellow player’s gift? Check out this great gift exchange game by The Crafty Blog Stalker that is great for all ages!

Right Left Christmas Game

Do you have any gift exchanges that you enjoy during the holidays?  The internet is full of right left games, poems, and stories for every occasion.  I have seen them for Thanksgiving, baby showers, and birthdays. I’d love for you to leave a comment and share what your family and friends enjoy. Also, if you’ve received a great white elephant gift, share what it was! We need all the good ideas we can get!

You might also enjoy these family friendly posts!

How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with Your Family

6 Great Picture Books about Seasons

Check out this gift guide full of awesome ideas for everyone on your shopping list!