Goodie bags
When it comes to budgeting, goodie bags are a “nice to have”. You can create them cheaply however and they help to enhance your decorations, plus they are enjoyed by the bride and guests alike.
As well as helping to bolster your decorations, hen do goodie bags are a useful tool, alongside a glass of bubbly, to kick start proceedings.
Set a time for everyone to gather and invite each of them to take a bag. Have a special goodie bag for the bride which she can open first.
Include an itinerary (a cheap and easy way to bulk up the contents) and then the bride can read this out to reveal the planned festivities. Of course, you can hold back some surprises if you wish.
In terms of the actual bag, you could use a pack of party bags in the colour of your choice. Simple, brown paper bags can also be effective.
You can personalise these if you have the time. Add a tag, stickers spelling out the guests name, or attach a mini polaroid of the guest using a peg.
There are lots of ready-made goodie bags online, but making your own is cheaper. See below for ways to fill the bags.
Bags of fun
Ways to fill a hen do goodie bag are pretty endless, but here are some easy ideas for you:
Itinerary - as mentioned above. You can design and laminate, and even attach to a lanyard if you wish
Sashes - I’d recommend fabric or plastic options. The ones made of card/paper may look attractive, but won’t last long. You can use these to personalise the bags further, i.e. bride to be, mother of the bride, bridesmaid etc.
Drink accessories - so many options here. Multi coloured shot glasses, cocktail umbrellas, stirrers, willy straws etc.
Snacks - buy a multi-pack of wrapped sweets from the supermarket, things like lollies for example, which you can distribute evenly among the bags. They only cost a couple of pounds and are a crowd pleaser
Masks - we’re not talking Covid masks here, but masks of the groom. You can order these or it’s easy to make your own. Simply take a selection of photos of the groom’s face, cut out, laminate and attach to a lolly stick
Goodie bag fillers
Photo props - you can get lovely packs of these and everyone enjoys posing with them. Include one per bag to boost the contents - everyone ends up sharing!
A pick me up - individually wrapped tea bags or coffee sachets are always handy, and it means people can potter off and make their own hot drink without having to navigate kitchen supplies
First aid - always useful. Can include anything from plasters to diarolyte sachets
Pack of tissues - cheap, simple, everyone uses them
Keepsakes - lots of options out there, from brooches to bracelets, but if money is tight I think you can leave these out
Creating a special goodie bag for the bride is a nice touch, with lots of lovely canvas bags for brides-to-be available online.
Fill with all the things above, and then add these extras for the bride:
Veil - Claire’s Accessories do some lovely, classy options that are very reasonably priced
Garter - you can go classy here, or pick a fun, garish, flashing option! Lots available on Amazon
Nightwear - there are lots of lovely bride to be pjs, slippers and dressing gowns online
Swimwear - again, lots of good options online. I’ve avoided in the past purely because it’s such a personal purchase (hands up who hates buying swimwear for themselves!), but if you’re confident with your choice it can be a great gift. Or if you want to play it safe, they also have sliders
A little extra - there are so many fun options out there. Hair accessories, make up bags, notebooks, the world is your oyster! You know the bride to be best, so just enjoy yourself!
