Nesting Party vs. Baby Showers: Which One Fits Your Family Best?

When you’re expecting a baby, loved ones often want to celebrate and support you, but not every family’s needs look the same. While traditional baby showers are a fun way to gather and receive gifts, more families are turning toward nesting parties for a different kind of support.

So, what’s the difference, and how do you decide which fits your family best?

What Is a Baby Shower?

A baby shower is the classic way to celebrate a growing family. Usually hosted before birth, it’s a social gathering centered around games, food, and gifts for the baby. It’s often focused on celebrating and preparing materially — think onesies, bottles, and strollers. Ever heard of a "diaper raffle"?

Pros:

• A joyful, social event to celebrate with family and friends, sometimes themed

• Helps stock up on essentials for baby

• Great for those who love a good party and being the center of celebration

• If gift-giving/receiving is your love language, your heart will be so full!

• Can be a practical way for older family members or a bit more distanced-acquaintances to feel like they are able to support your new family

  
  

Cons:

• Can be expensive for the host and attendees

• Sometimes emotionally draining and stressful, especially for parents feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or recovering from loss

• Often focuses on the baby rather than the parents’ transition

• Items from the registry might not always be used or fit, every baby is different so there is potential for waste

What Is a Nesting Party?

A nesting party (sometimes called a “nesting shower” or “pre-baby work party”) is a newer, more practical twist. Instead of games and gifts, guests come together to help you prepare your nest for the baby. Think organizing baby clothes, prepping freezer meals, deep cleaning, or setting up the nursery.

It’s less about fanfare and more about hands-on support.

Pros:

• Offers tangible, practical help when it’s needed most

• Can reduce stress before baby arrives and complete the to-do list

• Builds a sense of community (everyone literally lends a hand)

• Often lower cost than a traditional shower

• If acts-of-service is your love language prepare to feel overjoyed!

• Men tend to feel more helpful when assisting with more practical tasks like this such as adding shelves to baby's closet, assembling crib, etc.

  
  

Cons:

• Less traditional or “party-like” so it may not appeal to those who love social gatherings, dressing up, taking photos, or playing games

• Can feel vulnerable or overbearing inviting others into your home or personal space

• May not be especially helpful or necessary for families who already have plenty of help or resources

• Essentials like diapers and high cost items like a car seat or stroller will still have to be purchased by the parents or family at some point

  
  

  

  
  

Comparing Costs

Baby Shower: Depending on venue, décor, food, and gifts, traditional showers can range from $200–$2,000+. Are you having it at a hotel, party space, restaurant or your garage, friends house, backyard, park? Is it potluck style, just apps and snacks, or will it be catered? All of these things can really affect the shower's budget.

Nesting Party: Usually smaller and home-based, a nesting party might cost very little to a few hundred dollars (for snacks, cleaning supplies, or meal ingredients). Guests often bring their own helping hands or premade meals instead of a gift.

Which One Benefits Your Family Most?

Think about your needs and comfort level:

• If you love celebrating and need baby supplies → a baby shower might be perfect.

  
  

• If you crave practical support and want help setting up your home → a nesting party might be the better fit.

  
  

• And if you want both joy and support, you can always combine the two — start with a light brunch and end the day organizing or meal prepping together!

  
  

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose a baby shower, a nesting party, or something in between, the most important thing is to receive support in a way that feels authentic and helpful to your family, not something that brings stress or burden in any way. If you need help creating your baby registry, finding nourishing meal recipes, or postpartum plan, send me a message! I'm happy to help.

As a postpartum doula, I often remind parents that community care looks different for everyone, sometimes it’s a pile of cute onesies, and sometimes it’s a stocked freezer and folded laundry. Both can be beautiful ways to honor your growing family. Congratulations!

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