Christmas is the perfect time to slow down, gather family members together, and enjoy some simple, laughter-filled Christmas games that don’t need screens or complicated setups. A fun Christmas gift exchange game can instantly bring energy to Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or holiday parties, whether you’re playing with younger kids, teens, or a mix of ages. Games like this are a great way to include everyone, keep things lighthearted, and create those moments of lots of laughter that become favourite Christmas traditions.
If you’re looking for a fun way to handle a holiday gift exchange, party favors, or small wrapped gifts, this Christmas Pass the Gift game is an easy way to add structure while still keeping the surprise. It works especially well for large groups, family gatherings, youth groups, or Christmas parties where you want one gift game that everyone can enjoy together.
What Is the Christmas Pass the Gift Game
The Christmas Pass the Gift game is a classic gift passing game where one wrapped gift is passed around the group following verbal cues in a story. You may also know it as the left right Christmas game, the left right game, or even a variation of a white elephant gift exchange. Instead of choosing gifts or swapping at random, players pass the gift left or right as the story is read aloud.
As the story unfolds, players listen carefully for cues like left, right, or other directions, and pass the wrapped gift accordingly. By the end of the story, whoever is holding the gift gets to keep it and open it. It’s a fun Christmas game because it keeps everyone engaged, listening, and laughing right up until the end of the story.
This type of gift game works really well for holiday celebrations because it’s simple, gender-neutral, and doesn’t rely on competition or pressure. It’s about the shared experience, the anticipation, and the fun of not knowing where the gift will land next.
How to Play Christmas Pass the Gift
To play this fun game, everyone sits in a circle holding nothing but their excitement, while one wrapped gift is placed in the hands of the starting player. One person reads the story aloud, clearly and at a steady pace, while the rest of the group listens for the verbal cues.
Each time the story says to pass left or right, the gift is passed in that direction. Some lines may include playful twists, silly descriptions, or moments that make everyone laugh, which is part of what makes this such a fun Christmas party game. When the story reaches the end of the story, whoever is holding the gift wins and gets to open it.
This is a perfect way to handle a holiday gift exchange without needing a price limit, complicated rules, or multiple gifts.
You can use small gifts, random gifts, and let the winner keep their own gift. Depending if you want to adapt it for different groups or ages, you can vary what is inside the gift, the type of gifts or how many gifts are used with the game.
Something popular for all ages and genders like chocolates or candy can work really well, or a random gift for added silly humor!
Christmas Pass the Gift Game Printable
Our Christmas Pass the Gift game printable is a free printable story designed for personal use and easy sharing at home, school, or holiday parties. It’s a ready-to-read left right Christmas story that takes all the prep work out of the game and makes it easy for anyone to host.
Below is the full text included in the printable exactly as written, so you know exactly what you’re getting:
Christmas Printable Pass the Gift Game Poem
Christmas is here, let’s have some fun!
To start the game, pass the gift to the youngest one!
If you love snow and chilly weather,
Pass the gift to whoever’s wearing sweater!
Marshmallow-topped cocoa is such a yummy treat,
Pass the gift to the one with the biggest feet!
Christmas lights shine bold and bright,
Pass the gift to someone who uses their left hand to write!
Jingle bells ring out across the land so white,
Pass the gift to the person dressed in something bright!
Reindeer dash through the starry night,
Pass the gift to someone wearing all in white!
The season brings joy and holiday cheer,
Pass the gift to whoever celebrated their birthday first this year!
Angels sing on high throughout the land,
Pass the gift to someone wearing a ring on their hand!
Wrapping paper crinkles, ribbons and bows,
Pass the gift to whoever has the biggest nose!
Tinsel and garland sparkle all around,
Pass the gift to the tallest person found!
Stockings hang above the fireplace with care,
Pass the gift to whoever has the longest hair!
Holly berries glisten, so merry and bright,
Pass the gift to the person on your right!
Santa’s sack is heavy, filled with toys,
Pass the gift to someone who brings the most joy!
Now the game is over, the winner is clear,
Open your gift and let’s continue to party and spread holiday cheer!
This free printable story works brilliantly for little kids, younger kids, and mixed-age groups, and it’s an easy way to bring instant Christmas fun into your holiday party or family celebration.
Download Christmas Pass the Gift Game PDF
You can download the Christmas Pass the Gift game PDF as a free printable for personal use. Simply print it out, grab a wrapped gift, gather your group, and you’re ready to play. It’s quick to set up, easy to read aloud, and perfect for spontaneous Christmas parties or planned holiday celebrations for so much fun.
Terms of use: This Christmas pass the gift game is free to use for personal use and classroom use or community use. Just don’t sell or redistribute our PDF files.
If you need help downloading, click here.
This Christmas Pass the Gift game is a fun way to bring everyone together during the holiday season, whether you’re celebrating on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or at a festive holiday party.
It’s simple, inclusive, and full of Christmas cheer, making it a perfect game for family gatherings, classrooms, youth groups, or relaxed holiday get-togethers. Sometimes the best Christmas games are the ones that focus on togetherness, laughter, and shared moments rather than competition.
More Christmas Games
If you enjoyed this fun Christmas gift exchange game, we have plenty more Christmas games and printable activities to keep the holiday fun going. From easy party games to low-prep printables, there’s something for every age and occasion.
- Christmas bingo
- Christmas mad libs
- Christmas song emoji quiz
- Christmas Who is Most Like Santa Game
- Christmas Charades
If you found this helpful, please consider sharing this blog post with friends or family planning their own Christmas parties or holiday gatherings. It really helps others discover fun, simple ideas for the season.
Merry Christmas – Happy christmas and happy playing!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.