Christmas and New Year are notoriously popular times to propose so we’re sure there are plenty of newly engaged couples out there or soon to be engaged – and have we got a treat for you!

Here at Redseven, we have have teamed up with Wedding Ideas Magazine and we are offering a FREE £50 giftcard to use on your hen or stag weekend! Alternatively, if you’re feeling generous or you’re not in the process of organising your own hen or stag party, you could give it as a gift to one of your friends who is.

Simply pick up a copy of the January issue of Wedding Ideas Magazine from Tesco or Asda’s and you’ll receive the FREE £50 gift card attached on the front of the magazine which can be used on a hen or stag weekend in 2012.

With the £50 giftcard, you could be paying as little as £33 for a three night stag or hen weekend to Tenerife or as little as £25 for an Edinburgh hen weekend. There are plenty more fantastic weekends available for both hens and stags!

We organise weekends to 70 UK and overseas destinations so for ideas on where to go and what to do visit www.redsevenleisure.co.uk. Alternatively, give one of our lovely sales team a call on 01273 872200 and they can give you inspire you with their ideas and organise the whole weekend for you!

Brighton is not only one of our favourite destinations because it’s close to our hearts but because it has every ingredient needed for a unique, exciting and memorable stag or hen weekend. In the summer, Brighton’s beach comes alive with people sunbathing, playing volleyball, drinking in the sun, swimming in the sea all to the sounds of live music from bands playing on the beach front. Then there’s the Brighton lanes lined with boutique shops and café’s serving delicious food. At night, there’s something for everyone with bands performing live gigs, cocktail bars serving up monster mojito’s and nightclubs with top DJ’s playing tunes till the early hours.

Chief Bridesmaid Jessica Holmes has been kind enough to tell us all about her friend Lisa’s hen weekend in Brighton, what they got up to and why they had such a fantastic time…

What did you get up to?

Through Redseven, we organised a weekend of fun in Brighton for my friend’s hen party. A big group of us came down on the train and went straight to a cocktail making class where we were shown how to make all different kinds of cocktails, although we didn’t need any help drinking them! The staff were all friendly and we had a glass of bubbly and a shot waiting for us when we arrived. At the finale, the bartender did a brilliant trick where the hen had to set off a domino-effect set up of shots.  After the cocktail making we had food arranged for us, which was really tasty and soaked up the alcohol!

We we were all very impressed as the accommodation was fantastic with spa facilities with a lovely warm pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.

The evening entertainment was a 2-hour karaoke session- we all had such a great time that we wanted to stay longer! In general, we found everyone to be really friendly in Brighton and the fish and chip shops along the seafront are a definite must!

What was the funniest story from the weekend?

I think that one of the funniest moments was when we were making the cocktails and the barman was showing us how to mix the drinks.  You have to hold the cocktail mixer over your head to show that the glass is secured tightly and we were all really scared of doing it just in case it spilled out all over us…the barman was giving us a lot of banter and when two of the last girls got up to hold the cocktail shaker up, instead of putting it over their own heads they did it over the barman’s instead and his face was a picture when the tables were turned!

Did you play any hen party games focusing on the bride-to-be?

Prior to the hen weekend I spoke with the Groom-to-be and asked him a load of questions about himself, our hen and their relationship so that we could play our own version of the Mr and Mrs Game. We played it on the way home the next day to pass the boring train journey and it was really funny and a nice end to the weekend.  The best part was when the hen kept getting the questions wrong and telling us far too much information than we needed to know…I won’t go into details..!

I also put together goody bags for all the girls, which had things like sashes for everyone to wear, shot glasses, a mini bottle of wine, sweets, whistles and bubbles, painkillers for the morning after, glow sticks and some dare scratch cards, which we did in the hotel before we went out and had to do things like “Pinch a strangers bum.”  The bride to be had a veil and L plates and a flashing badge to set her apart from the others and we had a water gun filled with the hen’s favourite drink.  I definitely think it’s worth doing extra things like that as it made the weekend a bit more special.

What is the most memorable part of the weekend?

The karaoke was another really great focus of the weekend and at the very end for the last song we put on Bruno Mars “Marry You” which was very fitting for the reason that we were all there.  The bride was having a great time and the environment is so relaxed it ended up with us all dancing in the booth and it didn’t really matter who had the mic as all you could hear was all of us belting out the song anyway!

What was the best part about booking with Redseven?

I think it was just the way they made everything really easy – when I booked I shopped around a bit and Redseven stood out for me as a company – the rep on the phone was really helpful and allocated specifically to the group so you only had to deal with one person which is so much easier than having to speak to various different people and explain the same thing over and over again. All I had to do, once we had created the package, was log on to a home screen via the Redseven website and it created a mini-website just for our hen party, where I could organise everything from there.  I just put in everyone’s email and phone number and automatic emails were sent out to everyone about payment – you even had the option to pay in instalments if you couldn’t afford the whole package in one go!  I think the package price was really reasonable when you look at how much we got from it – including all the shots and drinks, which then when you are actually out, means you end up spending less actual cash on things like drinks and bar entry. All in all, the most important thing for me was that the bride-to-be, and everyone else, had a really good time.  There was plenty to do and it was so stress-free that I enjoyed myself just as much as everyone else without having to worry about organising money or paperwork.

The streets of Manchester have been rumoured to have been graced with some early Christmas presents from Mario Balotelli, an Italian football player for Manchester City, who apparently handed out money on Saturday night to passers by.

When Manchester Cities boss Roberto Mancini was asked if this was true, he said;

“I don’t know – with Mario it is possible!

True or false, and it is most likely false considering the fact that he was with his team mates preparing for the Premier League game against Arsenal the next day, Balotelli seems to have adopted a bit of a crazy reputation, so stories like this are not the first that have turned out to be untrue and are likely not be the last.

Amongst a few fights with fellow players and opposition players, the controversial Manchester City player has set fire to his bathroom after lighting fireworks from the bathroom window, thrown a dart at a youth team player and given evidence for prosecutors in a Mafia trial in court in Naples. Not your average footballer antics!

If you’re on a stag do in Manchester, keep an eye out for Balotelli handing out money or see if his approach to women works; he’s rumoured to have got his mates to go up to girls in clubs and say “Balotelli will see you now.” We’re reckoning you can only get away with that one if you’re a footballer…or Balotelli.

Get into the Christmas spirit and either venture abroad or within the UK to find some original and unique gifts from the beautiful abundance of Christmas markets;

Manchester Christmas Market

Award winning, this market has over 200 stalls and  runs for the whole month of December. The market sells everything from clothes and jewellery to arts and crafts, with a great selection of international food stalls as well as the classic mulled wine and christmassy delights like cinammon biscuits. If you’re finding yourself on a Manchester hen do then be sure to drop by.

Edinburgh 

With Europe’s largest outdoor ice rink, fireworks, hundreds of stalls selling antique and contemporary gifts all to the backdrop of the majestic Edinburgh castle, this market is an absolute must even if you’re on a stag do in Edinburgh as it’s in the centre of the city so you can walk through on your way to the pub and pick up a delicious German sausage as well as a German beer to get you started.

Berlin – Kaiser Wilhelm

If you can tear yourself away from the beer garden on your stag do in Berlin then this market is definitely worth a gander. With up to 4 million visitors every year, the rustic wooden stalls sell the usual handmade crafts and gifts however, with Berlin being home to very creative and cutting edge artists, you have the added extra of picking up some original artwork or even unique jewellery for the missus.

London – Winter Wonderland 

Food and drink stalls, a Ferris wheel, circus, a fairground ride and an ice rink which is illuminated by thousands of little lights, this market overruns Hyde Park every year and is the biggest in the UK. Wandering around the Winter Wonderland makes for a unique experience for a London hen weekend.

Prague 

This market is best for food and drink rather than gifts. Set in the Old Town square of cobbled streets and Baroque architecture, the surroundings are beautiful and it’s easy to combine the market visit with a night out if you’re on a stag do in Prague.

The Hangover

One of the funniest films featuring a stag weekend, there’s a ridiculous series of events that go wrong after the guys have a night out and wake up in a very damaged hotel room to find they’ve lost the groom. What follows is the stealing of a police car, adoption of a baby and finding one very angry kung-fu fighter in their car boot. Every single painfully wrong event makes for absolute hilarious viewing.

Bridesmaids

Co- written and starred in by Kristin Wiig, this film has gone down as one of the most popular films of 2011. Essentially a chick flick but with more guts and a lot more humour than the usual Rom Com, this film brilliantly and humorously plays out the trials and tribulations that arise when it comes to the relationships between women when organising a hen weekend.

Bachelorette

Soon to be released in 2012, this film looks set to follow in the footsteps (and probably off the back of the success) of Bridesmaids. Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan star as three chosen bridesmaids to a girl they used to bully at high school and although this is about all that has been revealed so far, judging from the film title, we’re pretty sure the film will be based around a hen party! Bachelorette is produced by Will Ferrel so if it’s anything like any of the films he’s been in, we’re pretty positive we’re going to love it!

American  Wedding

An absolute classic, this hilarious film highlights the disasters that occur when a stag do isn’t planned or should we say, when it’s planned by a character like “Stifler,” an outlandish woman crazy party animal who manages to get everyone else into trouble on a constant basis. The awkwardness of the situation when the bride-to-be’s parents return home with Jim, the groom, to his parents house where Stifler has organised a stag party unbeknownst to the Jim, is priceless.

 The Bachelor Party

A retro classic, Rick Gassko played by Tom Hanks and his friends decide to organise him the wildest stag party possible with strippers, booze, a swanky hotel suite, a donkey and a belly dancer to name a few of the ingredients.  At the time it was released in 1984 it was rather controversial and although there are moments, comparing it with the likes of The Hangover, it seems rather quaint now. Quintessentially 80′s, it’s a must see even if it’s just to be amused by the datedness of it!

Here are some of our favourite hen weekend ideas;

Socialise over Afternoon Tea

This idea is a great way to spend some quality time with the girls. Sit back and relax in beautiful surroundings whilst feasting on sandwiches, pastries, cakes and of course, sipping on some delicious tea.

Get happy with chocolate making

They say chocolate scientifically makes you happy because of that ingredient found in cocoa beans called phenylethylamine. What lamine? I know, it sounds complex but really all you need to know is that thanks to this ingredient, we feel stimulated and happy when we eat chocolate and with a chocolate making session, you get to eat lots of the lovely stuff!

Relax with a pamper day

There’s nothing better than taking time out to indulge in some pure relaxation, especially when it’s done with good friends. Feel special with a spa day and relax in the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi finishing the experience off with a treatment such as a massage, pedicure or manicure.

Go to the theatre

Why not go catch a musical? Most cities have at least one theatre with a decent selection of shows and it’s sure to be a memorable experience. Combine it with dinner in a top restaurant to make a night of it.

Have a laugh at a comedy club

Laughter is good for the soul and the mind so you can’t go wrong with a good old comedy gig with the girls. Go for a package which includes a meal and enjoy a whole evening of fun and smiles.

Any symbols, chants or other associations to the Nazi’s are illegal in France, which was occupied by Germany in the second world war and some members of the party could face prosecution for their offensive behaviour with one French police spokesman stating;

‘Anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi crimes are taken extremely seriously in France. Anyone suspected of breaking the law in this respect can and will be prosecuted.’

The Tory MP may not have been the one wearing the uniform, chanting Nazi slogans or saluting Hitler however, he stood by and watched, making no attempt to put a stop to the shameful behaviour. With his job at risk as many are calling for his resignation, he has apologised saying;

“ There was clearly inappropriate behaviour by some of the other guests and I deeply regret that this happened…I am extremely sorry for any offence that will undoubtedly have been caused.”

Hindsight seems to bring such clarity, especially when you’re on the brink of losing your job- funny that!

A little word of advice to you lads organising your stag weekends, not that most of you will need it as it’s really just common sense: there are plenty more stag do ideas and themes you can go for – just leave the Nazi’s out of it!

The capital and largest city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is made up of 165 wide and narrow canals. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the canals give the city it’s unique character and the best way to experience them is to take a boat ride down admiring the quaint streets alongside them.

Another popular way to get round the city is by bicycle and is another way to appreciate the canals, as it’s easy to get around and you can reach the narrow alleyways stopping off to browse boutique shops or stopping for a drink in a cafe. Visiting the Jordaan area is essential as it’s one of the most picturesque areas where you’ll find quirky Dutch bars, vintage shops and 18th Century Dutch buildings.

Most women love flowers, aside from the ones that are presented by a partner as a guilty apology! The surrounding countryside of Amsterdam is blessed with areas of sandy soil which means that it has a great advantage for cultivating hundreds of different types of flowers. A stunning site to see, fields of Dutch tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are grown in their millions every spring and it’s well worth a trip to see them, or if you’re short on time then visit Amsterdam’s beautiful floating flower market Bloemenmarkt, the only one of its kind in the world.

Art lover or not, most can appreciate one of the greatest painters of  our time, Van Gogh. Amsterdam is home to the largest collections of his works anywhere world and wandering around the Van Gogh museum is a great way to spend a few hours of your weekend.

For the evening, there are plenty of restaurants to choose and if you’re brave enough you should try a raw herring, a quintessentially Dutch culinary experience! From arty cocktail bars to live music venues and contemporary clubs, the Dutch like to party so there’s no shortage of choice.

For a city which offers culture, art and endless unique things to discover, topped off with a liberal and friendly attitude, then a hen weekend in Amsterdam is a winner ladies!

We’re sure that it’s only a matter of time before snow makes it’s way to other parts of Europe, so if this is something you look at as a good thing then there are plenty of destinations to choose from for a winter hen or stag weekend abroad;

Riga

This is one of the most exciting destinations to visit in winter as there are plenty of winter sports including snowmobiling and bobsledding; perfect for a stag do. The capital city of Latvia, a stag do in Riga satisfies all areas with cheap beer, beautiful architecture, modern restaurants and a nigthtlife that rivals any other more well known capital cities.

Reykjavik

It may be far to go however, this is one of the most beautiful destinations you’ll ever visit so it’s 100% worth the distance. From snowcapped mountains to natural hot springs, cosy local bars and contemporary and sophisticated nightclubs, a hen weekend in Reykjavik is unique and unforgettable.

Budapest

The capital city of Hungary, this city never looks better than when covered in snow. A great one for both stags and hens, a Budapest hen party guaranteed to be relaxing being home to some of the best natural hot springs in Europe and a stag do in Budapest is guaranteed to be original with the opportunity to try out bobsledding. Yes, if you’ve ever seen Cool Runnings, it is as fun as it looks in the film!

The team will be completely taking over all 53 rooms of the Hotel Stary, a top class boutique style hotel with a champagne bar and roof terrace that overlooks Market Square; slap bang in the middle of the city, where all the  nightlife is…lets hope they can restrain themselves from drinking too much especially with the temptation of being next door to Legends nightclub!

The city could be expected to see an increase in visitors of up to 15, 000 fans which will make Krakow an even more popular destination next summer than it already is.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Krakow is not only a destination perfect for the England lads, it makes for a top destination to visit for a stag party. With a winning combination of culture, beautiful architecture, entertainment and unique experiences this is a destination you can guarantee you will be happy with every element of your weekend.

Krakow is home to some of the best shooting ranges in Europe so if you fancy yourselves as the next rambo’s then here you’ll get the chance to try your skills with an AK47, a Glock and an Uzi. If you’re visiting Krakow in the winter then an original and unforgettable experience is dog sledding with the husky dogs in the beautiful Polish forests; definitely not your average stag do idea! The city also has an abundance of local bars as well as bigger and more cosmopolitan bars and clubs serving drinks as very reasonable prices.

It doesn’t get much better than a stag weekend in Krakow and the England boys will definitely not be disappointed either; let’s just hope they can combine some winning partying with some winning games.