How to make hen dinner special?

[threefeethighandrising]

We're eating and having cocktails at the beginning of a friend's hen night (before going out).

I'd like to think of a way to bring a sense of occasion to the meal / make it special for my friend but I'm stumped! There will be about 15 to 20 of us.

Any ideas gratefully received

shameless bump!

anyone?

I nipped in to see if you had any ideas so I could borrow them

Hi threefeet,
at my hen do last year, my chief bridesmaid made a speech, and I got a present (which I was so not expecting-beautiful ruby earrings!)
We did the same for another friend a few weeks ago, and she was totally made up.
Is that the kind of thing you wanted?

After typing the above I have just remembered what I did for a friend years ago.

I got together with her mum and sister and borrowed photographs and memories and did a small this is your life presentation. Starting with the baby pictures, school and silly stories to go with it all presented in a big red book with pages spare for her to but hen night and wedding pics in.

Aw Magna that's a lovely thing to do. And I bet could be really funny as well- the bride doesn't get to have the piss taken like the groom does with the best man's speech! I have to say the speech my best friend did was like a best man's one, but then I've got myself in lots of trouble over the years :)

Jenni, and Magna, brilliant that's exactly the kind of thing, thanks.

Hmm, which of my gobby friends will be best for doing a speech I wonder?!

I'll ask around and see who's up for it. I really like speeches - when done well. I'm terrible at them myself though!

Maybe we can get everyone to say something very short. hmmm ....

A present would be a nice idea too (we're way too skint for Ruby earings unfortunately though!)

I ended up reading the book out myself but once I got into the flow and got the girls laughing it was brilliant

Jenn I did make it more comical than serious and it didn't take too long to put together.

threefeet if there's 15-20 of you, you can all throw in a fiver and get the hen something really nice with that. i doubt my earrings cost more than £75. (Ruby earrings makes them sound very grand, tbh! - they are rubies, but not v big!)