As you approach your due date, it’s natural to want to start prepping for the baby’s arrival. You can do this by decorating their nursery, organizing their items, and just generally getting your life in order to welcome a newborn. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of building furniture, washing and folding a ton of baby clothes, and preparing your home, one thing you can do is have your friends and family help. That’s right, throw a nesting party.
Here’s everything to know about the party trend, and how it helps to build community.
What is Nesting?
Nesting Party Origins
According to the New York Times, nesting parties have grown in popularity recently. Pinterest searches for the topic rose 205% from September 2022 to August 2024. The outlet reported that the trend harkens back to community events like barn raisings in Amish culture, where people would all come together to build somebody’s barn.
Physician and perinatal psychotherapist Dr. Jill Zechowy told The New York Times that this desire for community was likely strengthened following the isolation we all experienced in 2020.
Baby Shower Alternative
Instead of a baby shower, you could choose to just have a nesting party. But there’s no reason not to have both if you’d like. In fact, TikToker @camifrobabe had her nesting party shortly after the baby shower to help organize all the gifts received at the first party. Her loved ones helped wash and put away all the new clothes, sanitize new bottles, etc.
Great for Second Pregnancies
However, a nesting party can easily replace a baby shower if this is your second or third pregnancy. Maybe you already have most of the items you need, so you don’t need a traditional party. But it would probably be helpful to have some people help you get ready for the new baby. Especially if you already have little ones, and they’re likely making it more difficult to get things done on your own.
When to Have a Nesting Party
If you do have a baby shower, holding the nesting party afterward is probably the best bet. Otherwise, you can do it anytime during the final trimester that works for you. Per videos shared on TikTok, it seems most moms choose to have the party between 32 and 38 weeks, just so it all gets done before the baby arrives.
Nesting Party Guests
Unlike a baby shower, where you can invite a mix of close friends, acquaintances, neighbors, coworkers, etc., a nesting party should be more intimate. Because you’ll be asking the guests to assist with chores, it’s probably best to invite only those you’re closest with, like family members and best friends.
Nesting Party Gifts
Guests at a nesting party are helping by showing up and putting in hard work. They don’t need to buy gifts — especially if you already had a baby shower. But you can ask attendees to bring a freezer meal for you to have post-birth. That’s what TikToker @thehughescasa did, and it seems like it worked out really well for her.
