Today I want to share with you a fun game to play at Christmas. I have used this with the family, teenagers, office parties—all of them work because this is so fun. 

Here’s how it works:

You can either have each attendee bring a gift or you can provide the gift. I have done this with small gifts, like hand lotion, lip gloss, cards, etc. that I have purchased and I’ve done it with the guests bringing a gift. Either way, it’s fun and works well as a gift exchange at any party of any size. 

Set all the gifts out and have each person take one. Tell them to get whatever one they want. It doesn’t matter. At this point they might think the gift they pick will be theirs in the end, but they will soon learn that’s not true. All the guests sit in a circle close enough to touch. 

What happens next is you will read the following story and every time you say the word right or left, the guests are to pass the gift they are holding in that direction. For example, if you read, “It’s the RIGHT thing to do,” the gifts go to the right. You might need to read some sections a little slower to keep your guests from getting confused, but a little confusion makes it more fun.

After you read the entire story, the guests keep the gift they are holding and the game is over. You can find this story all over the internet. I have rewritten it many times to personalize it for the party I’m giving. This version is close to the one you can find on the internet, but I’ve changed the details to make it teach a lesson too. Enjoy!

It’s The Right Thing To Do

Christmas is almost here, and Mother RIGHT was finishing the Christmas baking. Mary RIGHT had gone to the mall shopping for her little sister, 

Susan RIGHT, Father RIGHT and son, Billy RIGHT had also gone to do some last minute Christmas shopping. 

What can we do to help,” said Father RIGHT.

There’s not much LEFT for you to do,” Said Mother RIGHT as she finished icing the Christmas cake.

“Did you leave the toys at the church building?” asked Mother RIGHT. 

I LEFT it RIGHT where you told me to, said Father RIGHT. 

“Mom, I’m glad we’re helping other families,’ said Billy RIGHT. “I’m sure at this time of year some people don’t have any money LEFT. It’s just the RIGHT thing to do.”

“Speaking of LEFT,” said Mother RIGHT. The worst thing happened; I LEFT the eggs out of the cake.”

“Oh dear,” said Mary.

“It’s all RIGHT now,” said Mother. When I realized that I had LEFT them out, I just poured it back in the pan and added the eggs. 

“Let’s sit down and have a piece RIGHT now.”

But, the phone rang and Susan RIGHT, LEFT to answer it.

She rushed back in and told her family, “Aunt Tillie RIGHT, LEFT some toys RIGHT outside for us to take  RIGHT up to the church for her. She said she LEFT them RIGHT after breakfast this morning and didn’t want to be LEFT out of the toy drive.  I’ll go check.”

Mother said, “She must have LEFT in a hurry. I didn’t even hear her. I was RIGHT in the kitchen the whole time.”

Father RIGHT LEFT the kitchen and followed Susan to the back door.

“Sure enough,” he yelled. “She LEFT a whole bag full!”

Billy RIGHT, Mary RIGHT, and Mother RIGHT all came out to see.

The entire RIGHT family smiled and said.

“I’ll take them to the church. I’ll be RIGHT back and, if there’s any cake LEFT, I’ll have a piece. Then let’s sing some carols and thank God for all the gifts He gives us.

Now, I hope you are grateful for all your gifts. The one you are holding and ones from above. Christmas is the best time of year to remember how blessed we are. Isn’t that RIGHT?  

Merry Christmas! Have fun!