What is a Nesting Party? Better Than a Shower

Preparing for a new baby is an exciting, transformative experience, often accompanied by a surge of energy and an overwhelming urge to get everything in order. This phenomenon, known as “nesting,” has a deep-rooted presence in both human and animal behavior. While baby showers have long been the traditional way to celebrate the impending arrival, a new trend is emerging that brings a fresh, practical twist to pre-baby festivities: the Nesting Party. In this article, we’ll dive into the concept of nesting, explore the tradition and costs of baby showers, and discuss why a nesting party might be the perfect alternative for modern parents-to-be.

What is Nesting?

Nesting is the instinctive urge experienced by many expectant parents to prepare their home for the arrival of a new baby. This can include a variety of activities such as deep cleaning, reorganizing, and decorating. The nesting instinct often manifests as a sudden burst of energy and a strong desire to create a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for the baby. Some common nesting activities include:

• Laundry: Washing and neatly storing clothes.
• Cleaning: Vacuuming, wiping surfaces, and sanitizing baby-safe items.
• Food Preparation: Ensuring snacks and meals are ready for when the baby arrives. We’ve found CookUnity incredibly helpful—use our referral link for $50 off plus free shipping.
• Nursery Setup: Preparing and organizing the nursery, including assembling the crib, setting up the rocking chair, and arranging the changing table.
• Learning: Reading and understanding the manuals for new baby gadgets.
• Preparation for Go Time: Installing the car seat base and packing hospital bags.

Just as animals prepare their nests, many human parents feel compelled to ready their homes for their soon-to-arrive child. While this instinct is powerful, its origins in humans are not entirely understood. Some believe it’s driven by a surge in estrogen levels during pregnancy, typically around weeks 32-34. Others argue that it’s a psychological response to the stress and anticipation of bringing a new life into the world. Regardless of its origins, nesting is a natural part of the pregnancy journey, helping parents feel more prepared, less anxious, and demonstrating love and care for their growing family.

Why We Go into Nesting Mode

Nesting behavior is observed across various species in the animal kingdom to ensure a safe and optimal environment for offspring. For humans, the nesting instinct may be less about biology and more about psychology. Research on human nesting is limited and often inconclusive, with some studies suggesting it’s a psychological phenomenon rather than a purely biological one. Whether it’s driven by hormones or the simple desire to create a nurturing space, nesting is a way for expectant parents to channel their care and concern into tangible actions that make them feel more in control and prepared for the challenges ahead.

The Tradition of Baby Showers

Baby showers have been a popular way to celebrate the impending arrival of a new baby for generations. These events typically involve gathering friends and family to shower the expectant parents with gifts, advice, and well-wishes. The tradition of baby showers dates back centuries and has evolved significantly over time. Originally, baby showers were more modest gatherings, often focused on providing practical items for the baby and mother. Today, they have become elaborate celebrations, sometimes resembling mini-weddings with themes, games, and even professional event planners.

The Costs of Baby Showers

The cost of hosting a baby shower can vary widely, ranging from a modest, budget-friendly gathering to a lavish affair costing thousands of dollars. For our baby shower, we ended up spending around $4,000, covering expenses such as venue rental, catering, decorations, and party favors. Social media has played a significant role in elevating the expectations for baby showers, often adding pressure to create an Instagram-worthy event.

One memorable (and stressful) part of our baby shower was attempting a DIY balloon arch. These arches can cost $500-$800, and we decided to save money by making our own. However, it turned out to be a lot more complicated than we anticipated. From building it, to transporting it, to setting it up, and the stress of blowing up all the balloons—what was meant to be a fun DIY project turned into a major headache.

Another humorous but frustrating experience was the diaper raffle we held. We ended up with a year’s worth of size 1 diapers, all without gift receipts. When we tried to exchange them at Walmart, they treated us like we were trying to pull off a heist! The store staff alluded to us stealing the items and even threatened to put us on their watch list for life. Note to self and everyone—diaper raffles might sound like a good idea, but they can be more trouble than they’re worth!

Consider a Nesting Party Over a Baby Shower

With the rising costs and pressures associated with traditional baby showers, many parents are looking for meaningful and practical alternatives. Enter the Nesting Party—a gathering focused on helping the expectant parents prepare their home for the new arrival. Unlike a baby shower, which centers around gift-giving and socializing, a nesting party is all about getting things done. It’s an opportunity for friends and family to come together, roll up their sleeves, and assist with various nesting tasks, from organizing the nursery to assembling baby gear.

What is a Nesting Party?

A nesting party is a modern twist on the traditional baby shower, where the focus is on preparing the home for the baby rather than simply celebrating the upcoming birth. These gatherings are practical, hands-on events where guests contribute their time and effort to help the parents-to-be with essential nesting tasks. According to a survey of over 50,000 people, a significant majority reported engaging in nesting activities before giving birth, yet many were unfamiliar with the concept of a nesting party. This suggests that while the nesting instinct is common, the idea of a nesting party is still gaining awareness.

How to Host a Successful Nesting Party: A Step-by-Step Guide

Throwing a nesting party is all about blending practicality with a sense of togetherness. The goal is to help the parents-to-be prepare for their baby’s arrival while enjoying quality time with loved ones. Here’s how you can make it a seamless and memorable experience:

Benefits of a Nesting Party

There are several benefits to hosting a nesting party, making it an appealing alternative to the traditional baby shower:

1. Practical Support: Guests can help with tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and assembling baby items, providing much-needed practical support.
   • Hands-on Assistance: Instead of receiving items that might not be immediately useful, guests at a nesting party contribute by completing tasks that directly benefit the parents-to-be.
   • Task Delegation: With multiple hands on deck, tasks like deep cleaning, meal prepping, and nursery setup become more manageable and less overwhelming.
   • Immediate Impact: The efforts of guests can have an immediate and tangible impact on the readiness of the home, providing peace of mind to the parents.
2. Cost-Effective: Nesting parties typically require fewer decorations and entertainment, making them a more budget-friendly option.
   • Simplicity Over Extravagance: By focusing on functionality rather than aesthetics, nesting parties avoid the high costs associated with traditional baby shower decorations and entertainment.
   • DIY Friendly: Many aspects of a nesting party can be handled with DIY solutions, further reducing costs.
   • Minimalist Approach: The emphasis on practical support over material gifts aligns with a minimalist and sustainable approach to preparing for a baby.
3. Meaningful Contributions: Friends and family can feel more involved and helpful, contributing their time and effort rather than just purchasing gifts.
   • Personal Touch: The act of contributing time and effort can be more meaningful and memorable for both the givers and the receivers.
   • Shared Experience: Working together on nesting tasks fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among friends and family.
   • Support Network: Building a support network through active participation helps strengthen relationships and creates a community of caregivers.
4. Educational Opportunities: Nesting parties offer a chance for parents-to-be to share their preferences and routines, teaching family and friends how they can be most helpful post-birth.
   • Knowledge Sharing: Parents can explain their specific needs and preferences, ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to caring for the baby.
   • Practical Training: Friends and family can learn practical skills, such as how to properly sanitize bottles or assemble baby gear, which can be invaluable post-birth.
   • Tailored Support: Understanding the parents’ routines and preferences allows guests to provide more tailored and effective support.
5. Stress Relief: By tackling nesting tasks together, parents-to-be can feel less overwhelmed and more prepared for their baby’s arrival.
   • Shared Load: Delegating tasks to willing helpers can significantly reduce the stress and workload for the expectant parents.
   • Emotional Support: The presence of loved ones provides emotional support and reassurance, helping to alleviate anxiety and stress.
   • Confidence Boost: Completing tasks and seeing the home come together boosts confidence and readiness for the upcoming arrival.

Cons of a Nesting Party

While there are many benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider:

1. Fewer Gifts: Because the focus is on helping rather than gift-giving, parents may receive fewer presents compared to a traditional baby shower.
   • Practical Over Material: The emphasis on practical support might result in fewer tangible gifts, which could be a downside for some.
   • Registry Needs: Parents may still need to create a registry for essential items that are not typically covered during a nesting party.
2. Less Glamorous: Nesting parties are more about work and less about socializing, which might not appeal to everyone.
   • Work-Oriented: The focus on tasks and preparations might make the event feel less celebratory and more like a work session.
   • Social Balance: Finding a balance between work and social interaction can help maintain a positive and enjoyable atmosphere.
3. Home-Based: Since nesting parties are usually held at the expectant parents’ home, there may be concerns about cleanliness and readiness to host.
   • Hosting Pressure: The pressure to have the home in perfect condition for guests can add stress to already busy parents-to-be.
   • Privacy Concerns: Inviting guests into private spaces can feel intrusive for some parents.
4. Intimacy: Nesting parties are best when kept small and intimate, which may limit the number of guests.
   • Guest Limitations: A smaller guest list may mean excluding some friends or family members who would otherwise be invited to a traditional baby shower.
   • Quality Over Quantity: Keeping the event intimate ensures that the help provided is meaningful and manageable.
5. Time and Energy: Hosting a nesting party requires a significant amount of time and energy from the parents-to-be.
   • Preparation Effort: Planning and organizing the tasks for the party can be time-consuming.
   • Physical Demand: Participating in the activities, even with help, can be physically demanding, especially for the expectant mother.

The Emotional and Community Benefits of a Nesting Party

A nesting party fosters a sense of community and connection. With modern parents juggling work and life, having a support system in place can be invaluable. A nesting party allows friends and family to come together and share in the responsibility of preparing for the baby, creating a bond of mutual support. It’s more than just about completing tasks—it’s about building a village that will support the parents and baby long after the party is over.

How Men Can Contribute to a Nesting Party

Traditionally, baby showers have been seen as events primarily for women, but nesting parties offer a unique opportunity for men to get involved in a meaningful way. Here are some ways men can contribute to a nesting party:

• Cleaning Tasks: Men can take on heavier cleaning tasks such as cleaning baseboards, windows, and garage spaces.
• Maintenance Work: Fixing broken items around the house, such as loose doors, squeaky hinges, and faulty screens, can be extremely helpful.
• Assembly and Setup: Men can help assemble cribs, bassinets, and install baby monitors and cameras.
• Organizing and Decluttering: Clearing out storage spaces and organizing essential baby items.
• Outdoor Work: Tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, and ensuring the outdoor area is safe and welcoming can also be part of the preparations.

By involving men in these activities, a nesting party can become a more inclusive event, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and teamwork.

Conclusion

In a world where the cost and pressure of hosting an extravagant baby shower can be overwhelming, a nesting party offers a refreshing, practical alternative. It aligns with the natural nesting instinct many parents-to-be experience, providing meaningful support and reducing stress as they prepare for their new arrival. By focusing on the practical aspects of getting ready for a baby, nesting parties foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, embodying the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. Whether you’re expecting your first child or adding to your family, a nesting party might be the perfect way to celebrate this exciting new chapter in your life.

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About the Authors: We’re a husband and wife team with over 30 years of experience in finance, investments, and marketing, committed to helping growing families make informed decisions. Think of us as that older sibling who’s been through it before and ready to share our mistakes and successes. Learn more about our journey from insecurity to financial security where we conquered adversity to reach the top 10% of our peers.