Need ideas for a hen party!

[elspeth]

My best friend is getting married at the end of May and it seems to be falling to me to organise her pre-wedding bash... and I've no idea what to suggest!

We're on a budget, so I can't suggest anything expensive. There's be at least one very new mother present so we can't really do anything too active. There'll be one coming who's allergic to alcohol and most of us don't drink much anyway so spending an evening getting drunk's not an option.

Help! I'm really struggling for ideas!

[pianistimo]

ok.  i'll think about this whilst rabbit shopping.  i think i might have some ideas for you - because i've attended some 'showers' for this kind of thing.  vaguely remembering a 'money tree' which people clip money on - so they can at least have some cash on hand for the stuff they have to buy at the last minute.

[thalbergmad]

I do a good strip act.

Only £30 plus baby oil.

Thal

[elspeth]

Oh my, what an image... I'm scared!

[thalbergmad]

You can have me and Mental Martin for £50

[elspeth]

Tempting as it is, I think I'll have to turn down the double act, as I mentioned there's going to be a new mother present, I don't want her having a funny turn and leaving her husband to cope with the existing two-year-old and the new month-old addition...

[pianistimo]

that's funny thal.  i think that only works when it's a bachelor party and there's girl strippers.  but, thankfully, my husband didn't do that - i don't think anyways.  i'm all for the bride and groom keeping in close touch.  i mean - how many years of being a single girl or gal - why the last minute rush to have something other than the best choice you picked?  i say - can the strippers.

here's what you want, elpeth.  you want a 'pampered bride' shower.  tell the guests to bring her spa supplies only.  bath products, gift certs to spa, or have the shower at a spa.  and, well, if you want to make it cheaper - set up your home for the day as a spa.  get the toe pedicure things out - good smelling aromas - candles.  the works. 

here's some  ideas to plagarize.  you can make you own for much cheaper - or just buy them already made - www.beau-coup.com/bridal_shower_favors.htm   (yes.  i plagarized the pampered bride idea off this site).

also, there's really cheap stuff you can make (sachets, etc) that are fun.  kitchen stores have some good aroma stuff to fill them with.  and, well, you could combine the spa idea with some various tea breads as well.  i found this very cool book of tea breads and can give you some recipies if you want.

[pianistimo]

here's some games:

www.bridebingo.com/freegames.html#scramble

(there's more than bingo there)

[lichristine]

concert!! A day concert...or a symphony, or an opera.....mmm.....

or a zoo. i'd go to a zoo for a bridal shower...

[elspeth]

Hmm, both the zoo and the spa are stong contenders... There a complex of Turkish baths about twenty miles away. Maybe I'll suggest a trip there... The problem with concerts is finding one to everyone's taste. Hmm, choices choices!

[pianistimo]

never thought of the zoo as a choice - but hey, it's probably the most surrealistic thing she'll do before getting married.  a week later she'll be coming back to you and thanking you when she sees her husband imitating the apes in some way. 

from your friends - collect an envelope of tips for her.  about anything.  mine is - never open a shut door (especially bathroom door).  in fact, separate bathrooms are my idea of utopia.  you can spread all your stuff out - and also, not worry about having the good soaps you put out exchanged for deoderant soaps.  that one kills me.  literally.  'i'm thinking -what?  i didn't put deoderant soaps here.  what is going on?  am i living in the twilight zone.'  or, you fold the towels really nice and go in and the washcloth is way  out of place.

[elspeth]

Her husband to be is a lovely young man but unfortunately she's alreay noted the ape-tendancy... and is still going to marry him! Mind you, at least it means he's easy to amuse...