THE BEST 'HEN PARTY PASS THE PARCEL' TIPS YOU'LL EVER GET!

Written By: Bec  |  Last Updated: 01.11.2024

Like back in the day, pass the parcel is all about the prizes. It's about being that lucky player who gets to unwrap the big gift in the middle (featuring some awesome tunes, laughs, and mini prizes along the way).

​But what sets hen party pass the parcel apart is the cheeky extras. The hilarious additions. The alternatives that you will learn more about by reading on...

And as you will come to see, with a little planning, this oldie but goodie can fast become the best hen party game you've played!

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Related: Bridal Shower Game Ideas
Related: The Ultimate List of Hen Party Games​

BACHELORETTE PASS THE PARCEL (QUICK OVERVIEW)

​First up, prepare your parcel. Start by wrapping a gift for the bride-to-be (experience voucher, gag gift, an item you know she would adore). From here, wrap as many layers as there are guests' attending - adding in small prizes as you go. When it's time to play, this beautiful parcel of yours is passed from person to person. This continues until the music stops; at which point the person holding the parcel gets to unwrap a layer. The lucky 'un-wrapper' takes their gift or completes the task before the music starts again. This is repeated (pass the parcel, music stops, layer unwrapped) until the special gift at the end is revealed (by the bride-to-be herself)! Want to mix things up a little? Why not put together a cheeky parcel (filled with naughty riddles, cheeky chocolates and other saucy items), turn it into a drinking game, or stick to one large gift only - playing 'pass the prize' instead!
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Check out our favourite pass the parcel filler ideas on Etsy!
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​Playing Hen Party Pass the Parcel

​YOU WILL NEED:​
Wrapping paper (e.g. kraft paper), distinctive paper for the last layer (perhaps in one of the bride-to-be's favorite colors), masking tape, scissors, twine or ribbon, small prizes, a special prize for the final layer of your parcel game, sentimental music.


PREPARATION:
Decide what’s going inside the layers. Yep, we’re talking about that small prize guests may receive when the parcel lands in their lap!

LIST OF ITEMS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR USING IN PASS THE PARCEL:

• A general knowledge question
• Bridal or naughty drawing challenge game cards (for a cheeky game within a game)
• Dare cards
• Fun wedding trivia
• Mini adult colouring books
• Questions relating to the bride-to-be
• Riddles
• Puzzle books 
• Small favours (such as mini bottles of spirits, packets of seedlings, mini chocolates)
• Small books
• Truth questions
• Reusable straws, food wraps or makeup wipes
• Lottery tickets or scratchies
• Coupons or vouchers to local cafes, restaurants and/or experiences

Rig The Game!
​Make sure your hen is the last one standing; unwrapping the final layer and revealing a gift selected just for her.

Gift ideas include something she can experience with her future husband (movie or dinner voucher), a keepsake book (where she can stash photos from her hen’s party) or a fun novelty item (picked for the party).

​Make it memorable and your girl will smile the biggest at the end of the game!

Related: Bridal Shower Prize Ideas

Prizes sorted - now it's time to put it all together:

• Step one: start by wrapping the main gift with your distinctive paper (this will make the final layer stand out).
  
  
• Step two: wrap remaining layers with your main roll of paper; adding small prizes, questions and/or dares as you go. These can be in every single layer of the parcel, or every other layer - the choice is yours.
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• Step three: ​once all layers are wrapped, finish your parcel off with a twine bow and maybe a flower or two (optional).

How Will You Wrap?
​Create as many layers as there are guests (meaning the whole group gets a turn at unwrapping). Or go up to a certain number, such as 10, enforcing a shorter time limit on the game.

MAKE IT UNPREDICTABLE:
Don't add prizes in a certain order, shake it up a bit.

For example, rather than 'small gift, question, drawing challenge card, small gift, question, drawing challenge card', make it, 'small gift, small gift, question, small gift, drawing challenge card, question'.

Keep everyone on their toes!

HOW TO PLAY THIS CLASSIC GAME
Pass that beautiful parcel!

Guests start by sitting in a circle; bride-to-be holding the perfectly wrapped package.

​When the music starts playing, the parcel is passed to the person beside her. This person then passes it to the person beside them. The parcel continues on it's journey around the circle until the music stops.

Lucky enough to be holding the package at this point? You get to unwrap one layer; revealing the (possible) prize within.

The music then starts again, the parcel is passed, the music stops, and another layer is unwrapped.

Repeat until the special gift at the end is revealed!


Important Note:
Want your hen to get the final gift? When the distinctive paper shows its face, be sure to stop the music when the bride-to-be is holding the parcel. #pressureson

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It's All Up To The Music Gal...
Will the person in charge of music be watching the game? If so, they can ensure each guest gets a turn (and your bride gets the final gift!). If not, it will be completely random and unpredictable. How will you play?!

Alternative Ways to Play

A CHEEKY TWIST
 Naughty riddles, 18+ party gifts, saucy trivia questions; simple alterations will turn this sweet bachelorette party game into something a little more mischievous! 



DRINKING GAME
Everyone takes a seat, shot glass in hand. Place bottles of spirits in the middle of your circle. For each layer that is unwrapped, that player must take a shot of their favourite spirit. The game continues once the glass is empty. The person who unwraps the final layer gets a special gift!

Alternative:
For a tamer version, everyone takes a seat with their drink of choice (punch, bubbles, non-alcoholic). Wherever the parcel lands, that person must take a sip of their chosen refreshment.



PRESSURE'S ON
Adding questions to your layers? Let's up the ante a bit.

If a guest gets their question wrong, there's a cheeky 'punishment' (such as a shot of alcohol). And if they get it right? The game continues like normal (or everyone else takes a shot instead).



GAME WITHIN A GAME
 Instead of small prizes, pick a card game (such as charades or truth or dare) and add one card per layer instead. Then every round of pass the parcel will be broken up by some sort of hilarious activity. The laughter will be real!



THE PRIZE TABLE
Set up a table with an array of prizes. Think delicious home-baked goodies, beautiful beverages, small plants - the options are endless. Label each prize with a number.

Now, instead of wrapping small gifts in each layer of your parcel, wrap numbered pieces of paper. At the end of the game, guests can excitedly take their piece of paper to the prize table, match their number to an item, and find out what they've won.

Alternative:
Instead of numbering the prizes, use the numbers in your parcel as a bounty collection order. That is, the person who unwrapped number 1 gets to pick a prize from the table first. Then number 2, then 3, and so on. This will mean guests can take home something that they actually want!


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PASS THE PRIZE

​A fun poem or riddle will decide who the parcel is passed to (and who will be your winner). A great ice breaker game that's quick, easy and unique!

Click here for poem inspiration and further game instructions.

Articles Related to this Bachelorette Pass the Parcel Game

​BRIDAL SHOWER PRIZE IDEAS:

Planned a few games but still in need of prizes? Lucky for you there is definitely no shortage when it comes to the goodies! From home cooked treats to reusable drinking tools, this list will give you all the inspiration needed to treat those winning guests of yours.

Click here to read the article now.

ECO GIFT & PRIZE IDEAS:

Coming up with party bag ideas that are not only memorable and useful, but also eco friendly can be a real challenge. The inspiration in this article helps with this. Unique, unexpected, zero waste and/or reusable - these eco gift are bound to delight!

Click here to read the article now.

Pass That Parcel (& Have An Amazing Time in the Process)!

​Simple to set up and so easy to play; this game will not only be a great addition to the party, but will also results in lots of fun memories. 

As always, we love hearing about games in the real word. So, if you would like to, please share your experience with 'Bachelorette Pass the Parcel' via the comments section below or social media.

Cheers to an amazing party filled with music and special gifts!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
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