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Choose one of these fun, clever ideas and round up all your favorite gal pals for a memorable bachelorette bash.

There are plenty of great bachelorette parties to suit every style and budget. Whether you want to splurge or save some dough, find the best one for your gang.

PARTY POINTERS Who should plan my bachelorette bash? Usually it’s the maid of honor, the bridesmaids or the bride’s core group of friends—even if they’re not in the wedding party. Can I tell my friends what I want without seeming pushy? Yes, it’s OK to say you would love to sing karaoke. That might make planning it easier. How much should my friends spend? It depends on what they can afford or wish to spend. Tell the friends doing the planning what amount you’re comfortable with. Will I need to pick up my own tab? Probably not. Usually everyone chips in to cover the bride’s cost. When’s the best time to have it? Two or three weeks before the wedding is ideal. Avoid the week before the big day. Related Articles: Your Guide to Prewedding Parties Ladies' Night Essentials Prewedding Party Q&As

1. The Great Outdoors

High-Concept Idea: White-Water Rafting. "Gatherings that involve a thrill ride are growing in popularity," says Darren Hitz of Adventure Bachelorette Parties. "White-water rafting brings the group together, gives them a new experience and has them working as a team to paddle the raft," says Hitz. "It helps them bond, and they'll have tons of stories to share later on." Expect to pay about $75 to $200 per person for a rafting outing.

Affordable Alternative: Camping Trip. If all of you are looking for something outdoorsy that doesn't involve equipment rental and a hotel stay, investigate local campgrounds. For a small fee, you can pitch a tent, build a fire and roast hot dogs and s'mores while you gossip into the night. Plan other camp-themed activities or games you can do together, like a nature scavenger hunt. To keep costs low, have everyone bring something different: food, drinks, camping equipment and a stereo, for example.

2. Creative Outlet

High-Concept Idea: Craft Classes. Up for making your own purses or necklaces? Scout out small local crafts shops, bead stores or design studios. You might be able to reserve a shop for the evening, bring in a caterer and have an instructor walk you through the process. While the gals create the accessory of their choice, they can munch and sip on some special treats—and no one has to clean up! Cost: about $35 to $125 per person.

Affordable Alternative: At-Home Knit-Night. Time to get down to the real knitty-gritty! Have one person collect money and buy wool and needles, and make sure someone else can walk the beginners through the basic steps. "Check books and magazines for fun projects," says Laura Maffeo, author of Girls' Night In (Ryland Peters and Small). "It's great for everyone to take home a memento." One nifty idea: Have your pals work on squares they can piece together for a blanket for you.

3. Culinary Delights

High-Concept Idea: Wine Tour. Many regions of the country have gorgeous wineries: California, New York and Virginia, among others. Reserve nearby hotel rooms, and spend the day traveling from vineyard to vineyard in a shuttle bus. You'll always enjoy the memory of touring the grounds, learning about wine and tasting the varietals. Tours can range from $90 to $250 per person.

Affordable Alternative: A Tasting Party. Do your libation tasting right in the comfort of a friend's home—it could be wine, or, if you prefer, scotch, tequila or rum. Have each guest bring a different bottle. Cover each one with a paper lunch bag to disguise it, then write the name of each wine on a piece of paper. Divide the group into teams. As each bottle's name is pulled out of a hat, each team samples the wines and tries to figure out which bottle is which. The team with the most correct guesses wins! (It's really interesting to try to distinguish the pricey stuff from the $5 variety.) Just make sure you have plenty of munchies and safe rides home.

4. Day of Pampering

High-End Idea: Spa Outing. Book a nice comfy area in a local spa for the entire group. Then splurge on beauty treatments and massages. "Women enjoy gathering with friends and being girlie," says Maffeo. Individual treatments can cost from $40 to $300.

Affordable Alternative: DIY Beauty Party. Some supplies are in order, but who doesn't have nail polish, facial masks or scrubs at home? Maffeo suggests that each guest brings her own robe and flip-flops, so it really feels like a spa. Best food to serve? Wholesome snacks like fruit smoothies and sushi.