WHAT TO PUT IN HEN PARTY GOODIE BAGS!

AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS, PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO.
You’ve organised the invitations, venue, activities, transport, food and drinks. You even have some bridal shower or hen party games in mind that will suit the celebration perfectly. 

You’re totally nailing this!

However, despite all you HAVE done; there’s still that one little item left on your ‘to do’ list. Something that appears easy and quite often gets left until the last minute.

A little something called ‘gift bags’.

These gorgeous little party favors are fantastic for guests – being anything from an ice-breaker to a game starter. Yet despite the finished product appearing easy to put together; when it comes down to it, thinking about what to put in hen party goodie bags can actually be quite challenging (probably the reason you’re reading this article in the first place!).

Well, stress less my friend!
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After putting together MANY of these little beauties over the years, I’m here to share the fun, thoughtful and downright cheeky party bag fillers available to you.

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LET’S START WITH THE PARTY BAGS THEMSELVES

When it comes to favor bags and boxes, there are so many fantastic options available! From kraft paper bags or cute, square lolly boxes to reusable tote bags; there's sure to be something wonderful out there that will suit your particular celebration perfectly! 

To help you decide what sort of packaging you're after, I've outlined a few different options below (including the good, the bad and the ugly details so that you know what's what when it comes to your choices):

'BRIDE TRIBE' DRAWSTRING GIFT BAGS (10 PACK)
Perfect for rustic and/or shabby chic events, these natural cotton and muslin favour bags (complete with drawstring closure, stamped arrows and 'Bride Tribe' message) are made to fit small gifts for your hen and friends.

DETAILS:

• ​4" x 6" cream/off-white coloured bags, sold in sets of 10
• Natural cotton & muslin bags with drawstring closure
• Stamped with 2 crossed arrows and 'BRIDE TRIBE' message on the front only

PROS:

• Being made from natural cotton and muslin they are reusable
• The message ('Bride Tribe') and stamped arrows provide the perfect basis for a lovely party theme
• A good size for 'Hangover Kits', 'Survival Kits' or small favour bags

CONS:

• Being only 4" x 6" they are quite tiny - meaning you can't fit a great deal inside. That being said, they're great if you're thinking of including 4 or 5 small items such as gum, hair-ties, breath mints, small chocolates, etc. 

Like the sound of these 'Bride Tribe' gift bags? Click here for more details, prices and pictures!

'HANGOVER KIT' DRAWSTRING GIFT BAGS (10 PACK)
Handing out 'Hangover Kits' at the beginning of the party is a great way to break the ice (and guests will probably be thankful for them in the morning!). Fill with small, hangover friendly products such as a tea bag, panadol tablet, hairties, etc. for a fun yet handy gift.

DETAILS:

• ​4" x 6" cream/off-white coloured hangover kit bags, sold in sets of 10
• Natural muslin bags with drawstring closure
• Stamped with a red glitter cross and 'HANGOVER KIT, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH' message.

PROS:

• Being made from muslin they are reusable
• Perfect for a fun gift that guests will actually use

CONS:

• Being only 4" x 6" they are quite tiny - meaning you can't fit a great deal inside. That being said, they're great if you're thinking of including 4 or 5 small items such as gum, hair-ties, breath mints, small chocolates, a panadol tablet, etc.

Would a 'Hangover Kit' be the perfect addition to your hen's celebration? Click here for more details, prices and pictures!

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE $$$ TO SPLURGE ON PACKAGING
The bags themselves don’t need to be expensive. Rather than going all out, purchase plain paper party bags in kraft, white and/or your theme colour(s). From here you can personalise them however you wish (i.e. leave them plain, fill with tissue paper, cut out a shape to stick to the front [such as a card heart] or purchase gift tags and write short messages to your guests that can be attached to each bag).

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LITTLE GIFTS

Just because they're small, doesn't mean they're not memorable! See below for some great little party bag filler ideas - perfect for gifting on their own or for putting into small gift boxes/bags.

SMALL PARTY BAG FILLER IDEAS

18+ ACCESSORIES
For those of you wanting to take the party to next level naughty!

Condoms or penis shaped objects (such as bubbles, water pistols and more) will have the girls in hysterics! And let’s not forget those good old penis straws; the perfect sipping accessory for any cheeky soiree.

Just make sure your group is up for such an event. As mentioned earlier, you don’ want anyone to be uncomfortable or offended by the treats in their bags.

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BAKED GOODS
Whether you cook them yourself or purchase from a local bakery, small baked goods will always go down a treat! Think anything from cookies or cupcakes to cake slices or brownies. When deciding what to include, make sure you go with the option that best suits your celebration (i.e. for a healthy hens getaway you might include protein balls; whereas a naughty night on the town would be a great excuse for some 18+ biscuits!).

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BUBBLES
Bubbles are so much fun, and not just for kids! There are also so many variations of containers (from love hearts and long tubes, to cheeky, penis shapes) that you can’t go wrong.

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CHOCOLATE
Always a winner. Always. Because, let’s be honest, there’s not many people out there who don’t enjoy these delicious treats. So, the hard part isn’t really deciding whether or not to include chocolate in your hen party gift bags – it’s more a question of what TYPE of chocolate it will be!

Will you go for something along the lines of small chocolate hearts, little frogs, fun-size packets or favourites? Purchasing in large packs (even better if they’re on special) will save you money, so keep an eye out at your local supermarket when doing the weekly shop.

Alternatively, will you be going down the 18+ road – where it’s all about the male appendage? Filling small see-through bags with malteasers and labelling them as ‘Balls’ could be a winner (especially for those who just want a hint of cheekiness).

Otherwise, purchasing a naughty chocolate mould and creating your own 18+ treats is always fun (I once placed malteasers along with penis-shaped chocolates into bags and labelled them ‘Dick and Balls’ – the girls loved them!).
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Basically, get creative and have fun with it. Just remember to keep your bride-to-be and guests’ in mind when making your decision, because you don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable or offended by the contents of their bag.

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FAKE TATTOOS
A favour and party accessory all in one! If you're having a themed event ('Mermaids', for example), you could gift fake tattoos that tie the whole party together (e.g. matching mermaids, an assortment of mermaids, images that represent the ocean, shells, etc.). Don't have a theme but would like the group to match in some way? These days you can get your hands on fantastic options such as 'Bride Tribe' tattoos in metallic colours.

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GAME CARDS
Hen games that require some sort of guest input without your bride-to-be seeing also make great, cheap fillers.
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My absolute FAVOURITE fame for this purpose is ‘Truth or Dare... with a Twist!’. To make, create cards with the following information:

Name:
_________________________________________________________________________
Truth or Dare: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Print off as many as there are guests, mount them onto card (once again, stick to your hen night and/or bridal shower colour palette for best results), and place into favor bags.
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Either on your invitations or as people arrive, ask that guests write their name along with a truth or dare for the hen to complete throughout the day/night. Collect all of the cards and present them to your bride-to-be; explaining loud enough for everyone to hear, that each guest is actually to complete the truth/dare they wrote down for the hen, WITH the hen! Have her read each card out after your announcement – the group will be in hysterics!

FOR MORE HEN NIGHT GAMES, CLICK HERE!

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GLOW STICKS
Whether they're used to keep track of everyone throughout the party (they're extremely handy for spotting lost guests at night) or as part of a theme (hello, 80s party!); glow sticks are not only bright, colourful and fun, but also cheap enough that you won't break the bank!

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HAIRTIES
It gets to that time of the night when at least one person wants to tie their hair up... but has no hairties! Solve this problem by gifting guests their very own set of gorgeous hairbands.

Click here for perfectly packaged vintage hair ties - you won't be disappointed!

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JEWELLERY
Friendship bracelets, matching rings, sets that allow guests to create their own necklaces (e.g. a selection of beautiful beads and thread set out on a table, allowing the girls to make something they love), earrings or even a small charm that represents the day.

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JOKES & RIDDLES
Everyone loves to have a laugh – so this option is not only cheap and easy to put together, but also guaranteed to go down a treat with your guests’!

To organise, search for jokes/riddles related to hens parties, relationships and friendship (even some sneaky wedding jokes would work!); then write down the ones that resonate best with your particular bride-to-be/group of party-goers. In other words, if you have some more conservative guests in the mix, don’t choose the raunchiest jokes you can find!

Once you’re happy with your selection, simply type up the jokes/riddles, print them off, mount them onto card (stick to your party theme colour palette for best results), and place into your loot bags. I recommend providing each guest with their own unique joke/riddle to read out at the beginning of the party – it’s a great ice-breaker!

Handy Hint: ​For hilarious riddles that will force people's mind into the gutter (but actually have a VERY clean answer!), Check out these 'riddles that sound dirty' #toofunny

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LOLLIES & LOLLYPOPS
When your bride-to-be is as sweet as can be (or you’re keen on some fun and colourful photo ops!), lollipops are a great option. Not only do they come in a range of colours (meaning you can incorporate them into any party theme), but they’re also reasonably priced.
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Similarly, lollies are a cheap option (especially when purchased on special in large packs) that can be added to goodie bags as is (if they're wrapped) or in gorgeous little containers.

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MINI ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Your guests are preparing to party. And there’s no better kick-off than yelling ‘cheers!’ and knocking back a delicious (or cringeworthy) bev as a group!

Whether you go for pre-made shots or miniature spirits/champagne is up to you, your budget and the drinking preference of your hen (i.e. if she never drinks spirits, add mini bottles of wine or champagne instead; and visa versa).

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PAMPER PRODUCTS
Items such as floating candles, actual candles, small perfume bottles, nail polish, body creams, hair products and even makeup can be the perfect thank-you for your guests.

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OTHER GIFTS

After something a little bit different for your hen party goodie bags? See below for some alternative filler ideas!

OTHER PARTY BAG FILLER IDEAS

DRESS UPS
Some sort of accessory that relates to the theme of your party is a great filler. These are not only fun; but also an easy way to bring your group together/stand out from the crowd!

​Think anything from headgear (such as flower crowns, devil horns, flower clips, headbands, clip on bows, etc.) to dress ups (such as sunglasses, long gloves, feather boa's, necklaces, shot glass necklaces, handcuffs, bow ties, etc.). 

Hit up your local op shop if you're after to some fun yet unique goodies!

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PENS, PENCILS & TEXTAS
Probably not what you were expecting to see on a party bag ideas list, but there’s a great reason behind it!

For my sister’s hen do I wanted to create an extra special and memorable keepsake. To do this, I took her shopping prior to the party for a white dress; one that she wouldn’t use EVER again.

On the day of the party, each guest was gifted one coloured permanent marker via their goodie bag, and asked to sign the ‘guest book’ with them. Trick being that the guest book was actually the white dress being worn by our beautiful bride-to-be!

​Throughout the night everyone wrote notes to my sister on her dress; with the messages getting more and more risqué (and the laughs louder and louder) as the night went on!

Handy Hint: Pens, pencils and textas are great for completing game cards as well as unique keepsakes (such as the one mentioned above). Purchase in bulk (or large packs) for a discounted price, then collect them all after the party to use around the home so they don’t go to waste

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LARGE GIFTS
If you have a smaller group or a large budget, more expensive gifts are definitely an option. For instance, those hosting a pamper themed event might want to invest in some beautiful robes/dressing gowns for the bride and her friends. Alternatively, someone hosting a Hollywood Glamour themed event might organise professional makeup for each of the girls (along with some take-home makeup products). Get creative!

Keep in mind: Whilst thoughtful and useful, large gifts can get quite expensive - especially when you have a large group to buy for.

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PLAY-DOUGH (HOME-MADE)
If you're planning on including hen games such as 'moulding' (think along the lines of moulding a man, body parts, etc.!); consider placing balls of play-dough in your goodie bags. 

A great home-made recipe that has been tried and tested by yours truly is on the side of McKenzie's Cream of Tartar containers (no affiliation, just LOVE the result!). Add food colouring in your theme colours to tie everything together.

To view the recipe, click here.

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YOUR BRIDE-TO-BE

MAKE HER FEEL EXTRA SPECIAL
Now that you have some fillers to consider, I want to turn your attention to the guest of honour. She will be appreciative of anything you organise for her (meaning you could simply pass her a bag that's the same as everyone else's); BUT it is fun to spoil your hen; it's her special day, after all!

If treating that bestie of yours is something you would like to do, I recommend grabbing a larger bag and filling it with everything the girls have in theirs (minus the game cards, of course!) plus some extra goodies.

To start with, think along the lines of a custom 'Bride to Be' sash, a beautiful veil, special accessories JUST for your hen (such as a gorgeous headpiece), hints for the night, etc.

Then, think about gifts that would truly mean the world to her. Would she absolutely LOVE a new bottle of her favourite perfume? A fun prop to take around with her during the night (I once added a pecker selfie stick to a hen bag, it was definitely a hit!)? Or something a little more personal - such as a keepsake photo album filled with pictures of the bride and each of her guests (along with written memories/well wishes)? 

Get brainstorming with the bridesmaids and/or mother of the bride - together you will be able to come up with something that is perfect for your hen (and she'll love you even more for it)!

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HAVE THE BEST TIME!

Before signing off I want to take a moment to remind you that you don’t need a ridiculous amount of fillers for goodie bags to be a hit –even one item in a beautiful little favour box or bag will be received with delight!

And one final tip – whatever you decide to fill your goodie bags with, just make sure it relates to your overall celebration (e.g. if you have a pirate theme, gift your guests some gold chocolate coins). It’s more memorable and builds more excitement that way!

As always, I’d love to see your gift bags in action – so please share your pictures and/or fillers with myself and the rest of the For Every Hen community via the comments section below or social media (Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram).

Cheers to an AMAZING celebration with party bags adored by all!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GREAT HEN PARTY & BRIDAL SHOWER TIPS, TRICKS & INSPIRATION!