If you thought baby showers were the ultimate way to celebrate a growing family, think again. Enter the nesting party—an intimate gathering that helps prepare a friend or relative’s mind, body, and home for the postpartum journey. These get-togethers are quickly becoming the go-to way for Gen Z and Millennials to celebrate pregnancy (Pinterest searches for nesting parties surged 205% last year), and it’s easy to see why. Here, we break down what a nesting party is, how to throw one, and why more parents are happily swapping party favors for freezer meals.
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What is a nesting party?
Think of a nesting party as a baby shower’s low-key cousin, designed to help moms-to-be tackle some of the items on the long list of to-dos before baby arrives—while making them a whole lot easier (and more fun!) to check off. While expectant moms walk away from their baby showers with armloads of gifts from their registries (all of which still need to be cleaned, folded, assembled, and/or organized), this is more of a preparation party focused on simplifying life and getting ready for the whirlwind ahead. It’s about making the home cozy, preparing essentials, gaining insight and advice, and filling their freezer with easy meals they’ll love in those hazy first few weeks postpartum.
The term was coined in 2021 when one very happy mom-to-be took to Instagram to share her gratitude and spread the word. Dietitian and lactation consultant Allegra Gast asked some friends to come help her nest, and it’s no wonder the post went viral as fellow parents took to the comments to celebrate her genius! “I cannot thank these friends enough for helping me on their Saturday to get the nursery put together, my nursing station, my bathroom essentials, meal prepping, and helping me make little toy baggies to cycle around to keep my toddler entertained and just providing me with that support and encouragement,” she said. Because more than any toy or gadget or tiny little outfit, this is what pregnant people need!
How to throw a nesting party
The great thing about a nesting party is that you don’t need a fancy venue or elaborate decorations. Instead, create a laid-back, welcoming environment that prioritizes support and relaxation.
Keep it small and cozy
Think quality over quantity. Your nesting party should be filled with the people you trust most—the ones you’ll actually call when you need a hand (or a snack) in those early days. Invite friends and family who love a hands-on project and keep the vibe relaxed. After all, the goal is a stress-free, low-key gathering that leaves you feeling more prepared and less overwhelmed.
Delegate tasks
Whether you’re throwing the party for yourself or hosting for a bestie, sister, or anyone else, make sure the help actually helps. Create a list of what the parents-to-be want and need, then build the party around that. If freezer meals are the priority, set up a meal-prep station so guests can stockpile ready-to-go dinners. If cleaning and organizing are the focus, write out tasks on note cards so guests can grab one and get to work—no awkward “How can I help?” moments necessary.
Assemble and organize
Baby things can be a challenge to assemble, and even when they’re easy, it’s the last thing you want to have to do when you’re heavily pregnant or in the throes of newborn life. So help your parents-to-be get their gear assembled and organized well in advance. This could mean building the crib, washing and folding baby clothes, putting together diaper or postpartum stations for every floor, assembling the activity center and play gym (how cute is the Ocean Easy-Fold Play Gym by Melissa & Doug?!), or making sure there are a few developmental toys stashed away in different rooms to whip out when needed (hello, Melissa & Doug Flip Fish).
Trade over-the-top games for activities that are helpful and enjoyable
Set up a “words of wisdom” station where guests can share their best parenting advice (or funniest parenting fails). Create a DIY baby-care kit station with essentials like diapers and wipes so guests can assemble something useful. If you want a little friendly competition, try a lighthearted guessing game—like predicting the baby’s birth date or future personality traits. The goal? A fun, relaxed vibe with zero pressure.
Keep the food and drink easy
Pull together a DIY snack station with everything from fruit platters to veggie wraps—easy to eat with no fuss. This way, guests can grab something when it’s convenient for them, and there’s no pressure for everyone to eat at the same time.
Go-to recipes for freezer meals
Any postpartum mom will tell you that the last thing they want to consider is what’s for dinner. That’s where freezer meals come in as a game-changer for nesting parties. Stocking their freezer with ready-to-go meals for the weeks—or even months—after baby arrives is an absolute lifesaver. To make it easy for guests to contribute, we’ve rounded up some favorite freezer-friendly recipes to keep the new parents well-fed while focusing on their little one.
Soups & stews
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Chicken and Rice Soup
Cheesy Chili
Casseroles and pasta bakes
Chicken Pot Pie
Dump-and-Bake Chicken and Vegetable Casserole
Make-Ahead Baked Ravioli
Make-Ahead Spaghetti
White Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Stir fry
Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
Shrimp Stir Fry
Homemade Freezer Stir Fry
Crockpot meals
Maple Pulled Pork
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Slow-Cooker Sweet & Sour Pot Roast
Ginger-Turmeric Chicken Soup
For even more ideas, check out these instant-pot freezer recipes.
Don’t forget about digital nesting
A nesting party isn’t just about physical prep—it’s also about sharing advice and talking through major concerns and decisions. One item that’s good to have on the agenda is preparing for baby’s digital future. We’re talking about “Digital Nesting,” the practice of establishing digital boundaries and safety measures that protect a kiddo’s digital footprint.
Here are a few ways to weave digital nesting into your party:
- Have a chat
Set aside time for a relaxed chat where parents-to-be think about their digital boundaries. Guests can offer tips or share their own experiences, helping to get the expectant parents on the same page before baby arrives. - Digital nesting workbook
Create a fun workbook for guests to fill out, covering social media boundaries, photo-sharing rules, and digital privacy preferences. By the end of the party, the parents will have a handy guide to help navigate their baby’s online presence. - Advice cards
Set up a station where guests jot down anything they’ve learned along the way, whether it’s their favorite safety resources or tips on online privacy. Collect the cards as a guide to help parents make informed decisions about sharing baby photos and maintaining privacy.
Ultimately, nesting parties are a way to help take away some of the stress of having a baby rather than add to it with a big fancy party. This trend is all about rolling up your sleeves and getting down to business—organizing, prepping, washing, folding, cooking, and, of course, having fun with the people who’ll be there when the real work begins. It’s not just about the baby—it’s about setting the stage for a smooth transition into parenthood with some help from your friends (and a freezer full of meals). No wonder more parents are jumping on the nesting party bandwagon; it’s the “baby prep” trend that actually makes sense.