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Original poster

Best hen you’ve been on

50 replies

GearChange · 02/09/2019 18:46

I’m organising a hen night and am looking for things to do that people will enjoy.
Already arranged 2 nights away. Dinner will be in the house on the first night as everyone will be coming after work. Second night will be dinner out and then dancing (in same venue as it’s in the winter so no traipsing about in the cold/rain/snow).
It’s just what to do during the day?
So what things did you enjoy and what did you hate?

OP posts:

Original poster

GearChange · 02/09/2019 20:06

Anyone?!!!

OP posts:

SingingSands · 02/09/2019 20:19

Dinner, drinks, dancing, home in a taxi.

I'm not a fan of nights away or organised activities, or going abroad or dressing up. I'd like a hen night to just be a night out, not an entire weekend and £££. Sadly that no longer seems to be the case.

(Sorry or sounding grumpy, I guess my hen do tolerance has finally run out!)

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 02/09/2019 20:26

A nice meal, good conversation, maybe dancing.

Hate tacky outfits, too much alcohol and nights away for it.

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Weddings

MrsMoastyToasty · 02/09/2019 20:27

The one that the maid of honour didn't organise.

MOH organised a hen night at a nightclub with cocktails. Bride (my friend) went along with it but it wasn't really to her taste. She's virtually teetotal and hates clubs, as do I.
The week after the hen do the bride phones me and says she's having another hen do, just a select few and no MOH. We went and saw a live band and had a few drinks after in a pub.

CIT80 · 02/09/2019 20:29

I love a hen do but don’t like being dictated to the whole weekend - if you have plans for both the evenings I would say just fly by the seat of your pants and wing it in the daytime - some people may want to go shopping, others may want to stay in their pjs laughing about the events the night before. Let people have some time to choose what they want to do - nothing worse than a hen do feeling like a school trip

WillowySnicket · 02/09/2019 20:34

I can a do a list of things that have made horrible ones:
Obviously not to the bride's taste
Everyone getting smashed
Tacky awful cliches (strippers/inflatable willies, etc)
Embarrassing activities.
Oh and ££££!

Best:
Great food, good chat and not too £ so everyone could get involved. Lovely celebration of be bride and friendship and it felt like a sending off.

39Suzy · 02/09/2019 20:39

I loved my informal one, organised while DH was on stag for weekend. We got together at home, made some decs for my wedding venue, chatted wedding and had pizza and drinks.

My friend's hen.organiser had a great idea of bringing something to help the bride in married life - this could be a small gift or some advice. It took about an hour, was a fab conversation piece- especially for those that didnt know everyone. Included things like a scented candle for regular date nights, a book of dog walks.... then some funny things like a 'knit a willy warmer'kit, nipple tassles and a pincer on a stick for picking up pants off the floor. Wasgreat fun taking part asnoone knew who had brought what!

ThunderMum · 02/09/2019 20:42

What are you staying in? Hotel or big house?

Where is it? Rural or in a city?

I like hen dos where I can explore city.

Also have appreciated hen dos with activities where I can get to know the other friends of the bride. Always makes the wedding that bit more fun ☺️

SuzieQ10 · 02/09/2019 20:43

Nothing OTT or a weekend away.
Just:....dinner (inexpensive), drinks somewhere lively maybe like a cabaret or a comedy, then dancing / club. Then home. Preferably having spent a maximum of £100. And preferably a small group.

RosaWaiting · 02/09/2019 20:44

Tbh anything more than a few hours is grim.

Nicest one was a bar with some music, bit of a find as it was a new place, not busy and bride was very relaxed and didn’t mind what time anyone arrived or left.

And another hen party randomly gave me a hat! I still have it!

ThunderMum · 02/09/2019 20:47

A lot of people not answering the question as OP says she has already booked two nights away

kikisparks · 02/09/2019 20:48

I like things a lot of others would hate. I like fancy dress, themes, organised activities (treasure hunt, archery, body zorbing, aerial assault course, escape room, quiz, gorge walking, go karting, laser quest, clay pigeon shooting etc) also games, board games, spas/ hot tubs, and eating lots of good food and snacks. I wouldn’t like just going out for drinks or going clubbing, or lots of free time to just hang about, whereas others would love that.

I think you need to know your audience and what they like to do. Maybe ask the bride for some parameters?

maras2 · 02/09/2019 20:48

Mine in 1975.
Me and my mates did a booze cruise clockwise around our city centre
DH and his mates did the same but anti clockwise.
We all met up at our favourite for a last drink then kebab from the best place in the West Midlands and last bus home.
Up at the crack of dawn next day for the early shift then married 2 days later and really pushed the boat out.
We're all in our 60's now but thankfully still alive and well and all 14 of us still keep in touch.
Non of the females have touched Cherry B since (not envy)

CurlsandCurves · 02/09/2019 20:50

Would help if we knew whereabouts you were staying. Then if theres anything nearby worth seeing or doing....

For me, the last one I went on we went to a bar for a cocktail masterclass and lunch, that was good. Then we explored the city we were in. And out for dinner and dancing later.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 02/09/2019 20:55

What is around the place you're staying at? I think some free time is a great idea as some people love a mooch around the shops, some people want something active and some people want to sit in a pub all afternoon.

As far as activities in the house go, I would want cake, chat and board games but I appreciate I'm old before my time...

CharlotteFlax · 02/09/2019 20:58

I've racked my brain and can only put them in order of least worst! (Which was a nice meal in the city the bride lived in and a comedy show. Drinks afterwards.)

Sunshine1239 · 02/09/2019 20:58

Limit the organised fun

There’s really nothing worse! My mate did one with an itinerary all day and it was awful

Defo not cocktail making or some sort of dance class

I prefer one activity eg silent disco - these are amazing like a flash mob

Or go Holsteins and go out later

Personally I just like a day sesh where we just go with it - no plans other than restaurant booking

Sunshine1239 · 02/09/2019 20:59

Go karting that should say not Holsteins

Propertyofhood · 02/09/2019 21:01

I've done things like pottery painting, it's a knockout, cupcake decorating, spa day, salsa dancing lesson, cocktail making, a treasure hunt around the city etc for hen do's. I have enjoyed them all, but then again I do go against the MN grain in that I actually enjoy hen weekends!

Atalune · 02/09/2019 21:02

Something brides would be fun! I like the thing about bringing the bride something for her married life.

I think have a lazy morning- cooked breakfast. Maybe see if people want to get manicures or something and do that in the afternoon? Maybe give some people options?

Beamur · 02/09/2019 21:03

Mine. Wasn't even a proper do. Went to a spa with friends and they surprised me with silly hen do stuff - tiara, sash, etc. We watched a film, drank some wine and went to bed early 😁😁
How many people in your party and what age range?

allabouteve1 · 02/09/2019 21:03

Went on one where we went on a tea bus. Had afternoon tea in a double decker bus and drove a long a beautiful sight seeing route. Was fab.

One when we had a relaxed BBQ with lots of great food and lovely drink

Spa day was lovely

Hated: doing a scavenger hunt, everyone getting leg less, OTT party games all about sex. Having to dress up.

BarryTheKestrel · 02/09/2019 21:04

My favourite was where around 12 of use piled into a minibus and went to a local small festival for the day. It was pouring with rain and we were all soaked but live music, cider and good friends made it amazing. Everyone else was hiding in the beer and BBQ tents so we hens were out in the rain dancing and doing conga lines. No one was smashed, no one fell out, it cost £20 for the minibus and ticket and we had a great day.

Another favourite was a cocktail masterclass, mainly because I really enjoy mixology. We spent 3 hours making different cocktails, everyone had a go, we played some games and then sat down to a civilized meal with a glass of the bride's signature cocktail.

Don't go overboard. Don't think too hard. Think about the bride and the guests who'll be there. Are they moaners or the type to get on with it?

ChippyMinton · 02/09/2019 21:07

Late lazy brunch (in pyjamas)
Depending on where you are, country walk, explore city or just chilling in the house with a cheesy quiz or something wedding related.
Back for afternoon tea,
Then get ready for night out.

BinkySodPlop · 02/09/2019 21:07

Depending on where you're going, an escorted walking tour of any tourist / historic sites with gourmet food / drinks along the way. Or a Segway tour. Not very inflatable willy / raucous drinking friendly, of that's your thing, tho.

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