This might come across as a daft question but whats the difference between...

Hi A bridal shower is an American tradition more like a tea party and a hen party is is when you go out with all your friends.

I believe the hen party was originally the last night that you would be out for a blast with your friends before settling down to marriage. Not really so relevant nowadays as we all tend to go out anyway and are no longer tied to the house. The bridal shower is a bit like a baby shower when people give gifts of things, particularly for the kitchen but basically for the home.