Tasteful Hen Do ideas

Counting_Pennies_2

I wonder if you can help my mature friend is getting married.

We have a nice hotel booked for the Hen Do, and wondered if anyone can suggest some tasteful ideas for small gifts etc? I am not sure wearing a net and L plates is quite the done thing in this place, nor her idea of fun.

Many thanks

bylromarha

I had my hen do at one of those places where you paint pottery. It was VERY nice, sedate and serene. Much tea and cake being eaten as we chatted. A treasured memory was made that day - all the girls clubbed together to buy a large serving plate, and they painted a section each. 13 years on, that plate still gets regular use.

Anywhere like that near the hotel?

fluffnutter

Small gifts for whom?

Jox

My cousin's hen do was at Kenwood Park in London, there was a jitterbug concert and we had a picnic on the grass!

Counting_Pennies_2

fluffnutter wrote: »

Small gifts for whom?

Hen Dos I have been to (admittedly not many) everyone has given the bride to be something to wear for the evening.

Often horse shoes, veil, l plates etc.

Naturally not looking to decorate her that way. Wondered whether to each buy her a small piece of jewellery, or something else, not sure.

Any thing else you can suggest to make it special and tasteful would be appreciated

Many thanks

mogchops

For my sisters do, we brought her a cuddly hen - and named it Henrietta - and she had to carry it with her all the time

Sarri_2

I had a very mellow hen do - and recieved some really thoughtful gifts, i was spoilt! My lovely friends had made a photo book with lots of pics of us all, going back years (which made me very teary!) Luckily they'd also clubbed together for some fancy make-up including waterproof mascara - much appreciated as i was doing my own wedding make-up, though has totally ruined me for ever going back to my usual bargain basement slap

fluffnutter

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Hen Dos I have been to (admittedly not many) everyone has given the bride to be something to wear for the evening.

Often horse shoes, veil, l plates etc.

Naturally not looking to decorate her that way. Wondered whether to each buy her a small piece of jewellery, or something else, not sure.

Any thing else you can suggest to make it special and tasteful would be appreciated

Many thanks

Is she paying for the stay in the hotel? That's a nice touch - just for everyone to club together and treat her. In terms of a gift, I've not heard of people giving a bride presents before (perhaps we're getting into the realm of bridal showers like they have in the States).

I think she might feel a little overwhelmed if you all bought her a piece of jewellery but if you wanted to buy something collectively it would be a lovely thing to do. But it's not essential. What's important is that you're spending the time with her.

What does she like doing? Is there any way you can work her favourite activities into your stay in the hotel?

koalamummy

Not sure if this would be suitable for your friends circumstances but it may be worth considering what my group did for mine. We were recent graduates, all virtually penniless spread across the country at the time so this was not individually an expensive gift, but an amazing one DH and myself remember to this day.

My friends contributed to a central pot and bought us gift vouchers for a high end hotel chain to be used as and when we saw fit. We had the most idyllic long weekend ever that reminds us of why we married every time life gets just a bit too stressful.

lika_86

Why do people get anything for the bride? Is it not enough that everyone has to pay for activities on the hen do (which is usually of the bride's choosing)?

Person_one

lika_86 wrote: »

Why do people get anything for the bride? Is it not enough that everyone has to pay for activities on the hen do (which is usually of the bride's choosing)?

This.

I always thought the present the bride got on her hen do was...her hen do.