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From making all the reservations, to helping the bride curate her hen party wardrobe, bridesmaids have a lot to do in the run up to the all-important hen weekend. So, let us help you take the stress out of one specific dreaded task — pulling together the hen do gift bags.
While it’s certainly not essential, giving out gift bags is a lovely way to kick off the celebrations. Plus, it’s also a great opportunity to lay the weekend’s theme on thick right from the start — whether you’ve kept it classic with pale blues and bows, or you’ve gone all-out with a Last Rodeo or What The Shell aesthetic.
In terms of gift bag fillers, useful beauty accessories, pampering products, and recovery remedies are guaranteed to come in useful throughout the weekend. And instead of stocking up on heaps of ‘bride tribe’ tat — or shelling out for custom matching hen merch — pick accessories that subtly tie in with the theme, but will still get used long after the hen celebrations after over.
Need a little more inspo? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with this fail-safe guide to building sensational hen do gift bags, whatever your budget.
Best Items for Your Hens
1. Start off with some cute on-theme accessories:
boohoo Triple Flower Claw Clip
A great accessory for getting ready, going out, and pretty much everything in-between, statement claw clips make gorgeous hen party gifts. With its dainty floral design, this pretty pale blue one would work well for a range of different themes — from Mamma Mia, to Last Toast On The Coast.
Skinnydip Pink Cowgirl Beaded Phone Strap
Another practical yet pretty accessory, this beaded strap looks super cute with its mix of pink beads and cowboy charms — and it’ll also help minimise the risk of your hens losing track of their phones. This one would be ideal for a Last Rodeo theme, but there are also lots of other options to choose from.
Resin Compact Mirror
Finding a spare bit of mirror space to use when getting ready can be tricky during a hectic hen weekend — so compact mirrors make for a really thoughtful gift. With its pretty pearlescent sheen, and clever twist opening, this resin one really nails the brief.
2. Add a Few Hair and Beauty Essentials:
Brushworks No Crease Clips
Designed to not leave behind any kind of dent or mark, these kinds of clips always come in handy when you need to move your hair out of your face to put your makeup on. This set includes eight clips in soft pastel hues — so split open the packs, and give the hens a couple each.
e.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil
These best-selling oils have a lovely non-sticky feel, and leave you with a really plump and glossy pout. They’re also infused with really nourishing ingredients, and come in a range of tinted finishes that work to enhance your lips’ natural colour.
NuFACE Prep-N-Glow Facial Towelette (20 Pack)
Taking your makeup off after a night out can be tricky if there are hens hogging the bathroom. A luxurious and skin-loving take on traditional makeup wipes, these dual-sided towelettes have a softer side for removing makeup, and a polishing side that helps refine and nourish the complexion. You get 20 in a pack — so just pop a couple in each gift bag.
3. Throw in Some Morning After Must-Haves:
Happy Tuesdays All Night Electrolytes
Whether they’re suffering through a hangover, or dealing with the dreaded post beach club afternoon slump in energy, these hydration sachets will certainly helpbring your hens back to life. They’re packed with electrolytes and antioxidants, and have a lovely lemon flavour.
Grace & Stella Under Eye Masks (Set Of 6)
The perfect antidote to puffiness and dark circles, under eye masks are a must-have for the morning after a big night out. These Grace & Stella ones come in big bulk packs of 24, 48, or 72 — and you’ve got the choice of three different colours, so they’re easy to match to your theme.
Grind Naturally Sweet Iced Coffee Bundle – 16 Pack
Bring the barista experience to your Airbnb or hotel room with these ready-to-drink iced coffee cans — which each boast a delicious double shot of Grind’s delicious House Blend. Half of the cans in this bundle are Iced Caramel Latte flavoured, and the other half are Iced Vanilla Oat Latte flavoured.
4. And Finish Off with Some Subtle Bridal Tat:
Silver Disco Ball Drink Straws x10
You can’t go wrong with a silly straw. These reusable plastic ones boast a playful swirl design, and are each adorned with a miniature silver disco ball at the top — making them a great option for a wide range of different themes. They come in silver or pink, and you get ten in a pack.
Personalised Something Blue Embroidered Tote Bag
While it’s totally fine to just use standard paper gift bags, these pretty blue embroidered totes are an ideal alternative if you like the idea of everyone having some kind of matching accessory to use throughout the weekend. Personalised with each hen’s name, they make really lovely keepsakes.
Bride Squad Mini Bath Soak
Nothing beats a relaxing Sunday evening soak in the tub after getting home from a hectic weekend. Filled with Epsom salts, pink Himalayan salts, dried rose petals, and lavender, this cute little ‘Team Bride’ tube will seriously help soothe any dance-induced sore muscles.
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