Christmas Pass the Parcel: Rules and How to Wrap

Pass the Parcel is a music game where players pass a gift with many layers. Each time the music stops, one lucky player peels off a layer and finds a treat.

How to Set Up

1. Put the main gift inside a small box.
2. Wrap the box in paper. Tape a small treat on top, like a candy or sticker.
3. Wrap again. Add another treat. Keep going until you have one layer per player, plus two.
4. Seat everyone in a circle on the floor or in chairs.
5. Choose a grown-up to control the music.

How to Play

1. Give the parcel to one player.
2. Start the music. Players pass the parcel from hand to hand around the circle.
3. The music-maker stops the music at a random time.
4. The player holding the parcel takes off one layer and keeps the treat.
5. Start the music again and keep passing.
6. The player who takes off the last layer wins the main gift.

Scoring and Winning

There are no points. The winner is the one who unwraps the final layer. Everyone who unwraps a layer wins a treat, so all players get something.

Tips for a Fun Game

• Make sure each guest gets a turn by writing a name on each layer. You can then decide who unwraps.
• Stop the music at different lengths, short and long.
• Use easy tape so small hands can open it.
• Keep a small treat for anyone who missed a turn.

Variations

• Little kids: Use only five or six layers and give every child a treat in each layer.
• Dares: Put a silly task in each layer, like “sing a jingle” or “do a reindeer walk.”
• Adults: Fill layers with funny coupons and make the last layer a gift card.