Nesting parties are taking over the internet, and perhaps not replacing baby showers, but they’re a new way to celebrate both mom and baby that is nurturing and supportive for mom before the impending arrival.
A nesting party takes inspiration from the term ‘nesting’ which moms-to-be typically refer to in that period just before baby arrives, nesting could be anything from deciding to deep clean the house days before the baby arrives to decluttering the ‘avoid at all costs’ cupboards.
If you’re not familiar with it, I have written another post on nesting party ideas and what types of things you could do. I’ve put together a nesting party checklist below that you can use for inspiration for your own party.
Nesting Party Checklist Ideas
I’ve put together a handy checklist image at the bottom of this post that you can screenshot, print, pin or do whatever you need to do with it.
You can work through the checklist, or create your own nesting party checklist for the day. A popular way to do this is to grab some post it notes and write your tasks on them, stick to a fridge, wall, board or whatever you have. This makes it super easy for guests to come in and take a task from your list.
I know what you’re thinking, why was this not a thing before?
Freezer Meal Prep
A well stocked freezer is one that will last a lot longer than any baby shower present. The idea is that each guest creates a healthy meal or snack that can be frozen.
Those early days and weeks after a new baby can be challenging, and cooking fresh food isn’t often a priority, yet nurturing, healthy food will help with your postpartum journey.
Guests can pre-cook meals and bring them for you to freeze, or perhaps host them for a baking day to help create your favorite meals.
Open & Put Away Ordered Baby Supplies
There’s nothing worse than having a stack of baby supplies to sort through and not having the energy to do it towards the end of your pregnancy.
Get everyone to cut tags, wash items if required and store away in the appropriate cupboards to make your life easier when baby arrives.
Fold Baby Clothes & Put Away
Once your newborns clothes have been washed, give someone the task of folding the clothes and storing away in the babies wardrobe or cupboard.
Stock The Pantry
As well as freezer meal prep, it’s a good idea to have plenty of pantry items in so you can be self sustainable for a while without having to pop to the shops.
Order everything in well in advance of the nesting party, and get guests to help unload and stock up your pantry.
Sweep or Vacuum The House
You might not be feeling like cleaning the house but you know it will make you feel so much better and ready for baby once it’s done.
Get guests to tackle a room each, sweeping or vacuuming the room depending on the floor surface.
Dust Main Rooms
In an extension of the above, get those rooms dusted and clean for baby!
Assemble High Chairs or Cribs
If you have furniture that is awaiting to be assembled, this is the perfect time to do it!
Task a guest with this, or have a few to help out with each item, be it a crib, bassinet or high chair.
Install Car Seat
Nesting parties are all about supporting mom ensuring she is ready for her baby. Help her with getting her car seat installed, how to put it in and take it out of the car. Practise makes perfect!
Setup Guest Room
If the parents to be have guests staying once baby is born get them to make up the guest room so it’s one less thing for mom to think about.
Make the bed, clean the room and lay out some fresh towels for the guests, along with any other details like chocolates or candles!
Tidy Up Kitchen
If you’ve been doing a big meal prep session, the kitchen is probably in need of a big tidy up!
Use this as the perfect opportunity to get those areas deep cleaned that haven’t been touched in a while, wiping all cupboard doors down and clearing any clutter off the sides that isn’t needed.
Wash Baby Bottles
Unpack your baby bottles and get them all sterilised and ready for use, they’re just like diapers and are going to be used A LOT. Ticking this one off your list will feel good!
Stock The Diaper Caddy
Speaking of diapers, get a diaper caddy setup if you don’t already have one. They will make changing time so much easier having everything you need in sight.
Get diapers unpacked, add wipes, diaper bags, powder and towels.
Create Birth Affirmation Posters
After your main tasks have been done, this is a lovely one that everyone can join in with. Give everyone a piece of A4 paper or card and have a stack full of pens at the ready.
Get creative, draw and get your loved ones to add words of wisdom and birth affirmations to help prepare you.
Small DIY Projects
If you have any small DIY projects that haven’t been ticked off the list like putting up shelves in the nursery or perhaps a small bit of painting, get them on your list!
Guests will be pleased to help out with those niggling tasks so everything is perfect for when baby arrives.
Nursery Organization
Finally, get everyone into the nursery! Have a checklist for everything pending here, it will be done in double the speed that it could on your own.
Whether that’s folding and sorting babies clothes, putting up the crib or simply just giving it a deep clean.
Save the nesting party checklist below for later! Whilst it’s still a new concept, a nesting party is a nurturing way to support mom before baby arrives, kind gestures that don’t cost anything but will keep on giving well into the time that baby arrives.
What else would you add to this checklist?
