To say the majority of us don’t enjoy hen weekends

[ShrunkInTheWashAgain]

It’s the forced fun, the excessive costs
bring back a simple night out on the town

or do you actually enjoy it ?

I’ve been to many and enjoyed them but then I was late 20s, no kids. I do think it’s a bit of a cringefest when grown 40s women are having these big hens, most of them have kids and lives and far better things to do that go on these things.

Agreed, I’ve never been to one I enjoyed and I’ve been to loads over the years. I’ve never been married but if I had my hen do would be a meal out and drinks in the town where I live.

Agree with @Radra only on mn we'd people so utterly miserable. I like going to parties, spending time with my friends.

If I had the spare funds I would probably enjoy them but the costs are insane now
I always wonder how the hell do people manage to coordinate a large group to get away for a whole weekend?! My friends and I struggle to get one night pencilled in as we all have different commitments and shift patterns etc

I‘ve never been to a hen do. I was invited to one when I was younger (think matching sashes, devil horns for all, and an L plate for the bride) but I turned it down, partly because it was my idea of hell, and partly because I couldn’t afford the insane cost of it. It was many hundreds of pounds, and on top of attending the wedding and buying a gift it just seemed like too much to ask.

Luckily in my 60+ years I've only been to 2 as they weren't a big thing when I was young. Both just consisted of a meal out.
I'd refuse to go if it involved going abroad, lots of drinking and forced participation in stupid activities

god forbid women with children decide to go abroad for a weekend with friends and without the kids in tow for a change 😂

What "better things to do" for 40s women you suggest they do? Gardening and meal prep nicely? Preparing for retirement while ironing their aprons?

Never had a hen party never been to one?
I've been on planes and seen them going on holiday though.

This remind me of a group of men I saw at the airport wearing Tshirts that said BIG BRY'S LAST SHAG BEFORE HE MARRIES THE HAG. Never did find out which one Big Bry was,as thank god they weren't on our flight.

I love a hen weekend. As life seems to be getting busier and busier it’s lovely to have some time away celebrating and catching up with my friends

My middle DD went on one last year. The Bride had booked a villa in Menorca but it ended up being miles out of the resort. By the time the flights, villa, taxis, airport parking had all been added up it was around £900 each person for 4 nights. On top of this, the maid of honour had themed each day so DD ended up spending around £150 on clothes she'd never wear again and then food/drink. She added up she'd spent nearly £1400 in total. DD is midway through a house renovation and said she could have carpetted two rooms for what that weekend away cost. She's declined two more since saying she just didn't have the money to attend the hen and the wedding as well.

Have you see this? Saturday Night Live know what you’re talking about:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJKRo9VOTbe/?igsh=MWc3eTN6ODNyZ2V3ZA==

In theory I’d love it, however, my friends whilst individually are terrific really don’t get on.
Not just the ones that we used to be in a school group with, the ones I’ve met over the years. None of them like one another, so it would be hell.

The hen nights I've been to have been much smaller affairs - a meal and then the dancing, with a few nice drinks. I've turned lots down, elaborate ones or when I didn't know the bride that well.
I didn't have one myself.

I loathe them. I’m glad that by now, all of my friends are married so I don’t have to bear one again 🤞. I’m not a party-pooper though- I used to just paint a smile on and pretend to enjoy it, but honestly, I’d happily never go on one again. I think as others have pointed out, the main issue for me is that it isn’t just a night out anymore. It’s at least a whole weekend, sometimes longer (and abroad). Costs a fortune in the first place, involves forced fun, usually loads of extra cost on top having to buy fancy dress/gifts for bride/tickets for something. No thanks.
(however I do love a wedding!)

Nope, I don’t go and never would. Boring, annoying, expensive.

A weekend away with your closest friends, hot tub, champagne, lovely food. What's not to like? There's no need for stupid games or organised activities.

I love them! I went to benidorm on my own, barcelona on my sisters, dublin on my aunts, prague on a friends. I wouldnt have travelled to a lot of those places without the hen do being the reason, I dont see how its forced fun if you want to go and have a great time with family and friends. No one is forcing you to go, you must be a pretty boring person if you cant enjoy a weekend away with friends. Would you go away if it wasnt a 'hen do'?

I've absolutely loved all but one I've been on. The one I didn't love was a makeover and photo shoot and cocktail making session. I would have loved it but the photographer and makeover people were just terrible. We still had fun though.

I have never enjoyed one ever. The last one I went to meant I had to decline a fantastic invitation to a friend's birthday at the private dining room of a really lovely restaurant.

I was at the hen night , reluctantly wearing my very very half hearted attempt at a fancy dress outfit and not able to have a chat with anyone because the awful 90's dance music was so loud.

Meanwhile my husband was sharing photos of each amazing dish he was being served at the birthday dinner.

I just kept thinking that I'm in my 50's and should one able to find the courage to say I hate hen nights and decline the invitation.

I've enjoyed all the hen weekends I've been on but they've only ever been for close friends and they've all been well organised with a real effort made to keep the costs reasonable.

I’m mid 50’s and never been on hen weekend, only hen nights. A hen weekend would be too long for me.

Best hen I ever went to was a the bride's flat, she'd made a big pan of chilli and we all bought some wine. The issue isn't hens in themselves but the weird way they've turned into some sort of multi-day spendathon. Just have some drinks with your mates, or go for a walk or whatever you like to do.

That sounds great, I have never been to one where there are tantrums but have heard stories of one they seem such a production sometimes

I love a hen do. I love meeting new people and spending time with a group of women. I realise that I am in the minority on MN with that attitude.

I went to my niece’s last year. It was a blast. And i Loved the fact that I knew so many of her friends at the wedding.