How to Throw a Nesting Party
A nesting party is a way to help an expecting mom prepare for the arrival of her baby! This is much different than your typical baby shower. Think very practical areas of help including: organizing the nursery, postpartum freezer meal preparation, cleaning/organizing tasks, or preparing an activity basket for older kids. I have recently had a nesting party thrown for me prior to my 3rd baby arriving and I hosted one for friend for her 2nd baby. I have included ALL the details and logistics on how to throw a nesting party here:
What is a nesting party?
There are so many small and large tasks to do when pregnant. When I was expecting my third child, a friend of mine brought up the idea of a nesting party. The practical help with the to-do is so needed and helpful! It was the biggest help to have friends and family come together to prepare freezer meals, organize the nursery, organize kids toys, clean and put away baby bottles. Since having my own nesting party, I have also planned and hosted one for a friend.
At a nesting party, you are actively helping the mom-to-be. It is a true way your community can love on your family. One of my favorite things about a nesting party is the benefits of it continue on until after the baby is born. Having frozen breakfast burritos to heat up the morning after I arrived home from the hospital and then being able to throw chicken teriyaki into the crockpot was so helpful. My guests also prepared a sibling activity bag for my older kids. I had an entire bag full of fun and new activities for my 2 and 4 year to use. This was great to pull out when I needed to tend to the baby more.
How to throw a nesting party
Okay, so how do you actually throw a nesting party?? There are many different options. Ask the mom-to-be what her priorities are and provide options. Also, think about the friends or family coming and their strengths. Is someone very detailed oriented and good at organizing? Is someone comfortable in making meals for meal prep? Here is a great list to consider options:
- Preparing postpartum freezer meals. You could do breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack options
- Organizing the nursery – putting away clothes, sheets, preparing the diaper caddy, organizing the nursery closet
- Assembling nursery furniture or hanging wall decor
- Other organizing tasks – pantry, fridge, toy room
- Cleaning tasks – Dust, wipe down surfaces, vacuum
- Put together a basket full of activities for older siblings. When the baby arrives, this will be an easy thing for mom to grab out options to help entertain the older kids while she tends to the baby. Check out these easy activities to include in a activity basket.
Aside from the actual tasks – consider the fellowship aspect. Guests will want to talk and visit with one another at certain times throughout. Snacks and drinks are a great thing to provide! Also, the mom to be will be very pregnant at this point so make sure she has opportunities to sit and visit with her guests. Having a movie night or going out to lunch or dinner afterwards is always a great idea too!
When to have a nesting party
Typically the third trimester is a good time. Both of the parties I attended have been 4-6 before baby was due. You will want to pick a time where people are available as well – Saturday or Sunday’s work well. Both of the parties I attended were from 9-noon on a Saturday and we went out the lunch afterwards. In the invitations people knew it was a come and go as they are able event.
Who to invite
Have the mom-to-be think of people in her that she is close to and are able to jump in and help! Typically, this would be close friends and family. You want to make it clear on the invitation this is a time to wear comfortable clothes and what tasks are on the list to help with.
Nesting party invitations
I tend to prefer e-mail invites or texting out the invitation. I created an invitation in Canva and it was quick and free. If you would like the free template to edit yourself and use, enter your e-mail below and it will be sent to you! You will then be able to edit it using canva.com (it is free and easy to do so). With entering your email you will also receive printable tasks for the nesting party and be opting in for my monthly newsletter. This includes more helpful and free resources such as this one!
Food and drink
I’d recommend providing some snacks and drinks! These parties are also FUN. There is time to snack and visit. Depending on the time of day will help guide your snack options: breakfast muffins, bagels, scones, donuts, fruit, or vegetables and dip are all great low preparation options.
Tips for a nesting party
- If you are doing postpartum meal prep, have the recipes printed out and place instructions for reheating on the meals.
- Write out tasks that the mom-to-be has prioritized. You can place them on the back of a baking sheet or the fridge. Guests can look at options and pick one they want to complete.
- Have mom wash the baby clothes beforehand so you will have time to put them away at the party.
- Provide a notebook for guests to write encouragement for the mom-to-be in.
- 4-10 is a great number for a nesting party. Consider how many tasks you want to accomplish and the number of people that would be good for it.
- Limit the party time to a max of 3 hours. Any longer and you might be super tired!
- Plan something fun afterwards. A movie night, going out to lunch or dinner. A fun way to end the event!
I hope this was helpful in how to throw a nesting party. If you have had one or thrown before, please comment your tips down below!
