Nesting Party Ideas: A Meaningful Alternative to a Traditional Baby Shower

Are you looking for nesting party ideas? Or wondering what a nesting party is? A nesting party is the chill alternative to a baby shower, where expectant parents and their closest circle hang out, organize stuff, and maybe share a little advice—without the cheesy games and awkward gift openings. Think comfort food, practical prep, and a lot less fluff. It’s perfect for anyone who’d rather skip the theatrics and just get ready for the baby with a little help from their village.

Not everyone loves the idea of eating candy bars out of a diaper and guessing what they are eating.

When I told my daughter that it was a legitimate baby shower game, she was absolutely disgusted. I hadn’t heard of the term “nesting party” before this year. Still, when I heard that it was a trending thing with new Gen Z and Millennial parents who just want to prep for parenthood with a bit of extra help from their family and friends I thought it sounded like a much better alternative to a baby shower.

What is a Nesting Party?

Pinterest’s Trend Predictions has reported that searches for “Nesting Parties” are up 205%, and that number is only likely to grow.

Instead of the traditional baby shower with games and gift registries, a nesting party focuses on creating a calm and intimate environment where you can connect with loved ones and prepare your home for the new arrival. Rather than cheesy baby shower games, Nesting Party activities may include family and friends helping with any tasks that will help the new parents feel more prepared before the baby arrives.

Nesting Party Activities:

• Setting up the crib
• Helping to deep clean the new mom’s home
• Prepping freezer meals so they are ready to go
• Organizing baby gear
• Sharing advice
• Finalizing a birth plan
• Painting the nursery
• Provide any support that an expectant mom needs
• Have guests sign a framed mat that can go around an ultrasound photo like this one as a keepsake

I don’t know about you, but that sounds WAY better than any baby shower I’ve ever been to.

Nesting Party Ideas: Freezer Meal Prep for New Moms

One of the best ways to make life easier during the chaotic early days of parenthood (and during the last few weeks of pregnancy) is by preparing meals in advance. Freezer meals SAVED me during the early days with my twins.

At a nesting party, consider turning meal prep into part of the celebration. You and your guests can prepare a variety of freezer-friendly meals to stock the freezer for those sleep-deprived days ahead.

• Plan the menu ahead of time to help things to run smoothly (This 7 day freezer menu is a game-changer for freezer meal prep)
• Consider having each guest bring a few ingredients to cut down on cost
• Clearly label each meal and include easy prep instructions. Those first few weeks with a newborn do not leave a lot of extra brain cells left for meal prep

Freezer Meal Prep Tools Recommended

• These Freezer Bag Holders make filling freezer bags so much easier, especially if you are doing several meals at once.
• I will not be without my FoodSaver, especially when it comes to freezer meals. These work with the freezer bag holders above, and they keep food fresh for way longer than regular freezer bags.
• These reusable freezer bags are fantastic for freezer meals. I love that they have several size options so you can portion out smaller sizes if you want to leave some smaller sizes out for the new mom to have on hand.
• The Skinnytaste Meal Prep Recipe book is the best I’ve found (even if you aren’t on a diet). This includes a good mix of make-ahead meals and freezer meals and makes a great nesting party gift or a resource for meals to make at the party.
• This cookbook has some great budget-friendly freezer meals that are perfect for families.

Freezer meals are a game-changer for new parents, offering the convenience of ready-to-go, home-cooked meals without the stress of cooking every night. Plus, they’re an easy, practical activity to include in your nesting party that everyone can get involved in. Whether you’re prepping hearty casseroles, soups, or snacks, your guests will love the opportunity to pitch in and help while you all bond over making life a little easier for the new parents.

Need some ideas to get started? You’ll be able to make seven meals in less than an hour with these chicken dump freezer recipes.

If you need more ideas here are seven more freezer meals for a full two weeks of freezer recipes.

Take Time to Reflect and Relax During a Nesting Party

While nesting parties are all about preparation, it’s just as important to take time to unwind and reflect on the exciting journey ahead. Amidst the organizing and food prep, make sure there’s space for quiet moments where everyone can relax and appreciate the special time before the baby arrives.

• Encourage guests to take a breather – Whether that means sipping on a warm drink, journaling some thoughts to share with the new mom, or simply enjoying each other’s company.
• Set up a space where guests can offer the new mom advice – Create a cozy space with comfy seating and peaceful background music where guests can come and share their best advice, funny stories, or words of encouragement for the parents-to-be. This is a wonderful way for everyone to bond and share the excitement of the new arrival.

Taking a moment to reflect on what this new chapter means for the parents-to-be and for everyone involved will make the nesting party not just practical but also deeply personal.

It’s a chance to share memories, offer support, and soak in the joy of welcoming a new little one into the world—all while keeping things calm and stress-free.

Nesting Party Ideas: Give Guests a Keepsake from the Nesting Party

A thoughtful keepsake from a nesting party is a beautiful way to thank your guests for sharing in such a special time. While the focus is on preparing for the baby, a small, personal gift can make the day even more memorable.

• Personalized mementos – Consider giving each guest a keepsake that ties into the nesting theme, like a small potted plant or a custom candle with a meaningful quote. These gifts are simple yet thoughtful, and they offer a way for guests to take home a piece of the celebration.
• Framed ultrasound photo – A framed copy of the ultrasound image is a heartfelt gesture that can be shared with close family and friends. It’s a personal, sentimental gift that captures the excitement and joy of the journey ahead.
• DIY projects – If you’re feeling crafty, a handmade gift can make for a meaningful keepsake. This could be anything from a hand-painted picture frame to a knitted baby blanket, adding a personal touch that shows how much you care.

These small gestures are a great way to show your appreciation while also creating lasting memories. Keepsakes from a nesting party don’t have to be extravagant—they just need to reflect the love and connection shared on such a special day.

Nesting Party Gift Ideas: What Gifts to Buy for a Nesting Party

Having a nesting party does not mean you can’t buy gifts for the new mom. I don’t know any new mom who doesn’t love being pampered, so gifts are always encouraged.

When it comes to gifts for a nesting party, it’s all about practicality and functionality. Choose gifts that will help the parents-to-be prepare for their new arrival while also making their lives easier once the baby is home.

Here are some thoughtful and functional nesting party gift ideas:

• Meal Prep Containers – Help the parents stock their freezer with ready-to-go meals by gifting high-quality meal prep containers.
  • These glass meal prep containers come in two convenient sizes, so they are perfect for family meal prep and setting aside a smaller lunch size for the mom-to-be.
  • These disposable meal prep containers are great for meal prepping in bulk, and even though they call them disposable, I reuse mine until they break and typically get a dozen or more uses out of them (depending on whether or not I forget about questionable leftovers and just decide to toss them).
  • For a sturdy, reusable option that is also freezer and dishwasher-safe, I love these containers from Bentgo.
• Slow Cooker or Instant Pot – A slow cooker or Instant Pot is a game-changer for busy parents. These kitchen tools can make meal prep a breeze, allowing for easy, hands-off cooking. Look for models with multiple settings for extra convenience. Even women who do not typically take advantage of slow cooking or Instant Pot meals will likely want to after a new baby arrives.
  • This 7-in-1 Instant Pot will make everything from rice to frozen chicken. We use ours nearly daily and it is a life saver when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
  • As an alternative to a traditional slow cooker, I’ve absolutely loved my Instant Pot electric dutch oven. This does slow cook but it also braises and sears meat so it allows you to get a lot more flavor into your food than a traditional slow cooker does.
• Freezer Bag Organizers – Keeping freezer meals organized can be tricky. A freezer bag organizer helps maximize space and makes it easy to store different types of meals. This is a practical gift that will keep everything neat and accessible.
• Reusable Silicone Storage Bags – These eco-friendly storage bags are perfect for freezing soups, sauces, or individual portions. They’re easy to clean and great for keeping meals organized without the waste of disposable plastic.
• Gift Cards for Grocery Delivery Services – Since meal prep and grocery shopping will be a big part of the nesting process, consider gifting a gift card to a grocery delivery service like Amazon Fresh or Instacart. This will help the parents-to-be get what they need without leaving home. I’d highly recommend gifting a Walmart+ membership for those last-minute diaper or grocery runs. They are so much harder when you have to take a newborn with you (or just don’t have the energy to go out).

These gifts are not only practical but also thoughtful, ensuring that the parents-to-be are well-prepared for the days ahead. Whether it’s meal prep tools or organizational items, these gifts will make the nesting process a little bit easier and a lot more functional.

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A nesting party is the perfect way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a baby in a relaxed and meaningful way. It’s all about bonding with loved ones, sharing advice, and preparing for the new chapter ahead without the pressure of traditional baby shower games. Whether you’re organizing practical tasks or creating memorable keepsakes, a nesting party offers a cozy, intimate celebration that everyone will cherish.