Baby shower, gender reveal, nesting party – where do you start?
If you’re expecting and have no idea how to decipher which one to have for your baby, or in fact if you have all three, you’re not alone. Whilst the concept of a ‘nesting party’ isn’t necessarily new, it’s picking up a name for itself online this year, with it named as one of the top Pinterest Predicts trends for 2025.
I’ve taken a good hard look at both nesting parties and baby showers to see what each one really brings to the party, as well as pros for hosting each!
What Is A Nesting Party?
The term ‘nesting’ is probably one you’re very familiar with, it usually refers to that period of time before baby arrives when you’re sent into automatic nesting mode, cleaning, dusting and organising the house within every inch of your life.
Well, a nesting party is pretty much that, but it involves making a party out if it, inviting your nearest and dearest to get involved with the nesting to help mom get ready for the arrival of baby. It’s the baby shower as it should have always been, and it’s firmly not about gift giving, instead tokens of affection and care are welcomed with open arms.
This new trend that is being driven by Gen Z and Millennials on Pinterest has had huge rises in searches for ‘nesting party’ (up 250%), ‘nesting party ideas’ (up 105%) and ‘baby cupboard organising’ (up 90%).
I’ve previously shared a nesting party ideas checklist for inspiration for your own, but generally it involves assigning each guest a task to help with, this could be things such as, freezer meal prep, setting up the crib, cleaning the nursery, organizing baby cupboards and having a pamper session with mom to finish the day!
The idea of a nesting party is that when everyone leaves, mom feels rejuvenated, supported and most importantly, ready for the arrival of baby. It’s a supportive parenting trend that I can definitely get onboard with!
Pros of Nesting Parties
It’s one of the most nurturing and supportive ways to celebrate the impending arrival of baby and there are so many positives about choosing this route over a baby shower, here are some of the pros to consider;
- Everyone comes to your house – no worrying about getting there or the nearest toilet!
- There is no expectation for guests – they don’t need to spend anything to celebrate with you
- Low cost – you may choose to have some nibbles and food for everyone, but compared to hosting a full baby shower, the costs are minimal
- No stressing about the things that are on your to-do list before baby arrives, your guests are armed and ready to complete your list by the time they leave
- You’re not left with bundles of baby gifts to find new homes for when you get home like you do with a baby shower
- You feel nurtured and supported by your closest loved ones
- You finish the nesting party feeling well prepared
What Is A Baby Shower?
Baby showers have been popular for many years, a way to celebrate baby with mom-to-be, typically a month, or a few weeks before the arrival of baby.
Baby showers are usually hosted at home or a venue, and there are so many different ways you can celebrate. Host fun activities rather than games, an afternoon tea, a picnic in the park or an outdoor gathering by the beach.
Traditionally your guests will bring a gift to the shower, either a surprise or something from your baby registry that you need before baby arrives.
They can be as large or as intimate as you like, with drive by baby showers also being a popular choice that people can drop in to during the day so you’re not crowded by everyone at once.
Pros of Baby Showers
Baby showers have a different intention to nesting parties, but equally a gorgeous way to celebrate with your friends and family before baby is here. Here are some of the pros;
- A lovely way to see friends and family in a relaxed setting before baby arrives
- They’re fun and interactive – whether you host games or activities
- So many ways you can host one depending on what YOU love, give it a theme, have a picnic, whatever you want to do
- Generally guests bring gifts so it’s a perfect time to get everything you need in time without the financial pressure of buying it all yourself
- Opportunity to fill your cup up before baby arrives
Nesting Party VS Baby Shower – Which Is Best?
So, after taking an in-depth looking into both of these ways to celebrate the impending arrival, which one sounds best for you?
There’s no right or wrong answer which one you pick, and actually you can totally host a baby shower, and then a nesting party with a smaller group of friends a little closer to baby arriving so you have the best of both worlds.
However, ask yourself what’s important to you and how you want the celebration to make you feel? If you don’t like the idea of pressure in people gifting you and you want something relaxed and easy at home, a nesting party will leave you feeling refreshed and supported, without friends and family having to spend money on you.
If you’d prefer to host or create a celebration in a way of a baby shower, getting dressed up and having games, a baby shower might be a better choice for you.
If I had to sum either up, I’d say the baby shower was the celebration of mom and baby whilst a nesting party is a supportive way to leave mom feeling nurtured and supported right before baby arrives, it’s certainly the new and refreshing way to do things in 2025 and beyond.
Which one is your favorite? Or would you do both? Let us know in the comments below!
