GIFT EXCHANGE GAME RIGHT/LEFT Story Christmas was almost here, and Mother RIGHT was finishing the Christmas baking. Father RIGHT, Sue RIGHT, and Billy RIGHT returned from their last-minute Christmas errands. "There's not much LEFT to be done," said Father RIGHT as he came into the kitchen. "Did you leave the basket of food at church?" asked Mother RIGHT. "I LEFT it RIGHT where you told me to," said Father RIGHT. "I'm glad my shopping is done," said Billy RIGHT. "I don't have any money LEFT." The hall telephone rang, and Susan RIGHT LEFT to answer it. She rushed back and told the family "Aunt Tillie RIGHT LEFT a package for us RIGHT on Grandma RIGHT's porch. I'll go over there RIGHT now and get it." she said as she LEFT in a rush. Father RIGHT LEFT the kitchen and brought in the Christmas tree. By the time Susan RIGHT returned, Mother RIGHT, Father RIGHT, and Billy RIGHT had begun trimming the tree. The entire RIGHT family sang carols as they finished the decorating. Then they LEFT all the presents arranged under the tree and went to bed, hoping they had selected the RIGHT gifts for their family. Now I hope you have the RIGHT present for yourself, because that's all that's LEFT of our story..... Except to with you a Merry Christmas....Isn't that RIGHT?

Have you heard the German tradition of the Legend of the Christmas pickle? An ornament is in the shape of a pickle and placed on the tree. It wouldn't have to be a pickle, it could be another shaped ornament. This works best if a tree is heavily decorated........... To get back to the legend. It was started to make everyone, especially children really admire and appreciate the ornaments. They are asked to find the pickle in the tree and the first one to spot it gets a prize. I guess the pickle was used for it's colour as it would be harder to find it in the tree and kids would have to hunt longer. I have seen a pickle ornament in some of the stores and if you check ebay, you will see tons of them for sale.

well, that kept me busy for awhile! Dee in Michigan

This year I am making a I-Spy game (large soda bottle filled with trinkets and table sale). I'll give each person a minute in a private area and they'll write down whatever they 'spy'. A few things will be worth more points if they find them. In the past I've done the following: The left/right game (instructions easily found on the internet). Card toss - take 10 to 15 assorted sized Christmas cards and let each player toss them towards a laundry basket about 7 to 10 feet away. Don't let anyone bend the cards. Harder than it looks to get the cards into the basket. Famous people game - Find pictures of famous people (including cartoon characters like Rudolph), print them all out on one sheet then make copies for each player. Give them about 5 minutes to see how many they get right. Stocking game - fill a stocking with small household items, tie the top and have players write down what they can feel.