Ideas for a Winter Bachelorette Party

Take a break from wedding planning -- even if it's cold outside

By Cynthia Myers

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Celebrate the bride's upcoming winter wedding with a winter-themed bachelorette party. This is a great time for the bride to relax with her friends and enjoy some favorite winter activities. Choose an activity the bride enjoys or try something completely new. The goal should be to relax and get away from the stress of preparing for the upcoming wedding, so anything that involves pampering or acting like a kid again should be high on your list of choices.

Hit the Slopes

Grab warm hats and mittens and head to the nearest ski resort for a fun day of hitting the slopes. Guests can all wear matching scarfs or brightly hued leis. Single out the bride by fastening a veil to her helmet or hat. Don't know how to ski? Request a group lesson -- handsome male ski instructor optional. After skiing, head to the lodge for a warm cocktail and some relaxation time.

Other Outdoor Fun

Visit a skating rink or sledding hill. Recapture childhood memories playing crack the whip or executing belly flops down the hill. Retire to a nearby clubhouse or tea room for hot chocolate and hot buttered rum and soup and sandwiches. If you don't live where it gets cold in the winter, visit an indoor ice skating rink and rent skates. Pretend you're the next Olympic skating team, or choreograph a new dance routine on ice.

Sleigh Ride

Arrange for horse-drawn sleighs to take your party to a mountain cabin for an elegant evening meal. Toast the bride in front of a crackling fire and enjoy steaks and seafood by candlelight. Or opt for more adventure with a dogsled ride. Arrange to visit the kennels beforehand to see the dogs, then zoom over the snow in your own mini-Iditarod.

Spa Visit

Plan a day of pampering at the spa. Arrange for a group manicure and pedicure session, and maybe facials or a massage. Hit the sauna and finish up with a soak in the hot tub. The weather outside may be frightful, but you'll be warm and relaxed inside.

Tropical Escape

Turn your back on winter with a tropical-themed party. Get the blenders humming with margaritas or daiquiris. Play reggae, Jimmy Buffet and other beach music. Encourage guests to wear tropical-themed clothing and bump up the heat to keep everybody comfortable. Serve stuffed shrimp, grilled kabobs and tropical fruit.

Escape the Cold

Just because it's winter doesn't mean your bachelorette party has to be freezing. If you have the budget to travel, take a trip to a classic bachelorette party destination like Las Vegas. As destination parties go, Vegas is relatively cheap (if you don't gamble) because you can squeeze into huge hotel rooms. Plus, Las Vegas winters are mild and you spend most of your time indoors, anyway. Alternatively, you could rent a beach house if you are close to a warm oceanfront city, like San Diego or Miami.