Nesting parties are the latest trend in baby prep, offering a hands-on way for friends and family to pitch in. Instead of traditional gifts, these gatherings focus on tackling tasks, making the countdown to baby feel more manageable and supportive.
When I was expecting my oldest daughter, Sophie, in 2011, I was an anxious mess. I researched strollers and car seats ad nauseum, but I couldn’t buy anything. I had a vision for the perfect nursery, but I couldn’t bring myself to work on it. I agonized before every appointment and tried to stay as distracted by work as possible. I loved this little babe so much, and I was just so worried that something would happen to her if I let myself get too invested. (I was later diagnosed with clinical antenatal and postpartum anxiety, and my health care team went into high gear to get me the help I needed.)
But as my due date loomed, I knew I had to get the show on the road. For a highly organized person, I was at odds with myself. I wanted to wait to make sure she was here safe and sound before I did anything, but I also knew that would spell disaster. So I did the thing I’m terrible at, as a rule: I asked for help.
Nesting Parties Before They Were a Thing
About a month before Sophie was due, my friends showed up at the door ready to work. I’d reluctantly ordered what we needed, but everything sat in boxes and bags in the guest room. But not for long.
My friends Andrea and Dave tackled the nursery. They assembled the crib, they painted, they wallpapered the accent wall I desperately wanted (no joke!). To my surprise and delight, they even found a second-hand rocking chair and painted it to match the room’s decor.
My friend Lani took all the baby clothes to the laundry room in the basement of my building and washed, dried, folded and put away tiny onesies, PJs and socks. My mom and sister-in-law appeared with new outfits and hand-me-downs from my nieces, freshly washed and ready to stock Soph’s dresser.
My friend Claire helped me to meal prep, so my freezer would be full of easy-to-heat-and-eat meals. Other friends popped over with meals and treats they had already prepared, to add to the stockpile.
I cried more than once that day, and I still tear up thinking about it, 13 years later. But it turns out we were on to something. Because we had a “nesting party” before they were even in the cultural zeitgeist.
Meet the Top Parenting Trend of 2025
According to Pinterest Predicts, an annual trends report from—you guessed it—the visual content-sharing platform Pinterest, the incidence of nesting parties are on the rise, thanks to young millennial and Gen Z parents. Nesting parties aren’t about gifts; they’re about helping the parents-to-be get ready for their new arrival. So instead of picking up cute onesies or organizing a group gift of that fancy swing, friends and family give the gift of their time and skills instead.
Tasks that can be handled during a nesting party include furniture assembly, setting up a diapering station, getting baby clothing and bedding washed, sterilizing bottles and other feeding gear, meal preparation and even installing your car seat and figuring out how to work your stroller. Feed your friends some pizza, raise a glass to your impending arrival and call it a (productive) day. You’ll feel loved, looked after and more ready than ever. And if this means we can forget over-the-top, expensive parties where only women are included and the expectant mother has to sit in front of a room ooh-ing and aw-ing over sleeper after sleeper, we’re all for it.
