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Original poster

Hen ideas - not tacky & won't break the bank?

29 replies

ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:18

I'm planning my friends hen and have got some fun filled days covered for the Friday and Saturday. But struggling with a Sunday activity that is a little bit different, fun, works for a group and would be £50 or less a head.

So far I've covered off, at the hens request; afternoon tea & games night that I've planned myself for the Friday, made and designed everything from scratch there so it'll be low cost. Saturday is a scavenger hunt that I've planned myself (sounds shit but was modelled on a corporate one I did in London and it was amazing), followed by a cocktail class and drinks in the evening at a speakeasy bar. So only really the drinks elements they need to pay for.

Then we get to Sunday and I want to do something different, not boozy but fun, maybe creative. I'm looking into things like candle making, cooking class, twilight spa.. not sure these will appeal to the group as a whole so seeking some more inspiration!

We aren't in a big city but are in a smaller one so do have some options but nothing amazing like London. She wants to stay local and her friends have a bit less to spend than me and my friends (I dont mean for that to sound rude, but so far I've done everything myself and spent hours so that people don't have to pay much out of their own pocket which seems to be a factor).

I'm not forcing anyone into anything and people will be able to come to what they like and skip what they don't. I guess I just want to offer something in contrast on the Sunday that's a bit calmer as well. I quite like the candle making and twilight spa idea but I'm not sure others will go for it so I'm interested in opinions.. she has a big group coming and I don't want to debate it all over a group chat and cause a bun fight so want to finalise what I can before sharing.

Anyone got anything different I could look into? This is taking up way too much of my time 😅

OP posts:
Zola1 · 20/01/2023 11:23

Does it need to be something creative? Could it be something
Adult crazy golf, axe throwing, a games bar, an adult arcade, flower crown class, escape room...loads of these come in way under 50 a head so you could do a couple

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:26

Thanks for the ideas. Doesn't have to be creative at all. I did wonder about golf but our local ones aren't as good and travel obviously puts the coats up.

Same with arcades, we have been to one by us recently and it's very child focused. There is a new games place that opened recently so I'll definitely check them back out. I don't think the flower crown would be as popular with the group. I like the active suggestions - though guess can't predict if people will be hungover from the Saturday 😀 thank you!

OP posts:
Bluesclues1 · 20/01/2023 11:30

To be honest, by the Sunday most people are ready to go home. Are you all staying the night Sunday too? If so, could you do something at the place you’re staying? Get a florist in to do bouquet making, a chef in to cook you dinner? Twilight spa sounds nice but a decent one will be more than £50. Also if people have work on the Monday, they probably won’t be that keen to be in the spa until evening as need to get ready for the week.

I’m currently arranging a hen in Spain and we’ve agreed that the Sunday will be a chilled one, maybe a couple of hours on the beach or a brunch before people fly home.

Also, what are you doing for meals? Surely on the food will be an additional cost?

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Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:34

So we aren't going away. She wanted to stay home to keep costs down and basically people can pick and choose what they come to and everything is local to where we live.

I'm working with her parents to sort food for the Friday evening so they won't need to cover this. The bride wanted hen bags so I'm making everything for these, I'll ask for a small charge from everyone to try and get a bit of what I'm spending back.

Saturday I'm thinking after the scavenger hunt to go somewhere for lunch, but then people can choose whether to come or not, and they can come just for a drink if they don't want to pay out for food. In the evening I'm going to see what nibbles we can include if not people can sort their own food before/after.

Sunday will probably have less people coming which is fine, she still wants to do something on the Sunday. That's why I thought of 'slower' activities but also don't want people to be bored and put off. It's hard as the group varies from 17-70 so it's impossible to find a lot everyone will enjoy, bar the games night on the Friday! 😀

OP posts:
Tamarindtree · 20/01/2023 11:35

Pub lunch. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:35

Tamarindtree · 20/01/2023 11:35

Pub lunch. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm trying to do something we don't do regularly and her friends do pub lunches and meets often.

OP posts:
mrsbyers · 20/01/2023 11:36

Ring making workshop ?

BertieBotts · 20/01/2023 11:37

Pottery painting is nice and everyone gets a keepsake.

For my friend's hen do we did Go Ape which was brilliant!! Everyone felt amazing afterwards. We just did the beginner course so not too physically taxing.

PhoebeBridger · 20/01/2023 11:38

Flower crown making? Something for people to take home, maybe with some food thrown in?

I think the hen all sounds lovely OP and your friend is lucky to have you as a friend!

BertieBotts · 20/01/2023 11:39

The other nice thing about pottery is you choose your price so if you don't want to spend much you can just do an eggcup or something. If you want a bigger item to take home you can pay more.

Whataretheodds · 20/01/2023 11:39

Is there a walking tour somewhere near you? Or even just a nice place to walk and chat?

Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:44

mrsbyers · 20/01/2023 11:36

Ring making workshop ?

Now i'd love this! Will certainly look into it as I'd never have thought of this one 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:44

BertieBotts · 20/01/2023 11:37

Pottery painting is nice and everyone gets a keepsake.

For my friend's hen do we did Go Ape which was brilliant!! Everyone felt amazing afterwards. We just did the beginner course so not too physically taxing.

I'd love to do this too but she's already warned me they may not go over anything overly physical. And I'm going to be making them schlep around town for my treasure hunt 😅

OP posts:
Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:46

PhoebeBridger · 20/01/2023 11:38

Flower crown making? Something for people to take home, maybe with some food thrown in?

I think the hen all sounds lovely OP and your friend is lucky to have you as a friend!

Thanks so much - I'm finding it quite stressful as want to make sure everyone feels included and is happy, lots of people don't know anyone else either so I'm planning games to make sure everyone is introduced and feels comfortable.. it's consuming my life 😄 hopefully it'll be worth it though!

OP posts:
Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:46

BertieBotts · 20/01/2023 11:39

The other nice thing about pottery is you choose your price so if you don't want to spend much you can just do an eggcup or something. If you want a bigger item to take home you can pay more.

Another one for me to look at for sure.

Thanks for all the great ideas ladies 💕

OP posts:
Original poster
ErinAndTonic · 20/01/2023 11:47

Whataretheodds · 20/01/2023 11:39

Is there a walking tour somewhere near you? Or even just a nice place to walk and chat?

Not particularly. Only with driving included - and I'm not sure that's wise after a boozy evening 😂

OP posts:
OfTheNight · 20/01/2023 11:56

Do you have a steam railway nearby or a waterway that does boat trips? Even if you stay local it’s quite nice to see your home city from the water!

Rainbowshine · 20/01/2023 12:08

It sounds like everyone will potentially be hungover/tired and not want a full on activity anyway. How much time are you realistically trying to cover? By the time people wake up, have breakfast and get dressed it might not be worth having an activity and just hanging out with tea/cake having a chat would be fine.

If you do need an activity you could go to The Works and get a load of small or medium canvasses and some paints and brushes etc and people could paint a picture, or pottery painting as others have suggested.

gogohmm · 20/01/2023 12:11

Are you all heading home on the Sunday or the Monday? If heading home Sunday I would book a good brunch spot then go your separate ways. If Monday i would personally do something outdoorsy, a 5 mile or so walk (within most people's ability) with a pub lunch half way with open fire ideally, then back for board games

ODFOx · 20/01/2023 12:12

Some kind of animal experience like flying raptors or visiting somewhere like a butterfly park or farm?

weemouse · 20/01/2023 12:21

Are you all going home each evening then as it's local? Not staying anywhere as a group?

If so, then the Friday and maybe an activity Saturday afternoon would be more than enough for me. Dragging it out over 3 days the whole weekend seems a bit much, and I would guess some others would think the same,.

AutumnLeaves5 · 20/01/2023 12:23

It sounds like you’ve put loads of time and effort into making a great couple of days already…do you actually need to do something on the Sunday or will people be done with activities? If anything I think I’d do a walk and brunch. I know I’d appreciate a day to unwind, get home, catch up on normal weekend chores etc?

Alternatively can you give the Sunday organising over to another bridesmaid/friend?

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 20/01/2023 12:30

God this all sounds a lot of hassle I'd be happy with afternoon tea and a games night!

Labradinger · 20/01/2023 13:32

I had my hen do last year. We went away for 2 nights and my friends organised alpaca trekking, an escape room, cocktail making and a really nice bottomless brunch meal. None of them cost very much to do per person and they were all really fun

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