Move over gift tables and balloon arches, there’s a new way to shower a mom: Cue a NESTING PARTY.

Pregnancy has always had one specific word attached to it, “nesting,” and it’s been known for the soon-to-be-mom to succumb to anxiety and nerves towards the end of pregnancy and begin extreme cleaning, organizing, and purging. Some people even believe the nesting is a sign that labor is near. But what if friends and family helped calm the nerves of moms nearing the end of pregnancy by stepping in and ensuring all the nesting needs are met? 

Hosting a Nesting Party 

There is a new trend sweeping (literally) the pregnancy world, and we are here for it. A nesting party is an event thrown for a pregnant woman in her own home. It is hosted by a close friend or family member and includes only the closest friends and family. The host and soon-to-be-mom sit down and create a list of nesting chores and wish list projects the mother hopes to accomplish prior to giving birth. This list is then turned into a spreadsheet in which the ‘guests’ choose tasks and timeframes to show up and knock the items out! 

Only including those the mother is close with is an important discussion, as acquaintances may not feel comfortable deep cleaning a bathroom or folding laundry; however, there’s nothing wrong with extending them an invite if the new mom feels it’s okay. Most people invited to baby showers want to do something meaningful and helpful without dropping too much money, and some really want to skip the event due to the forced socialization of it. A nesting party presents the perfect opportunity to throw in some air pods and give the free gift of time without the chit chat.

Choose a date range in which the house can be accessible all day for several days in a row. Narrow the projects and list down and put it in an order that makes sense. For example, mopping floors should not be the first task, as a dozen others will be entering and leaving, someone will be wiping cabinets and dusting fans, it wouldn’t be productive to mop first.

Not only will the entire house by ready to welcome the new baby, but the new mother will be able to relax and enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy knowing that there are no dust bunnies hiding behind her refrigerator and that her spices are labeled and organized alphabetically.

If you are at a loss of what to ask guests to do, go ahead and use our list as a starting point:

• Scrubbing trash cans
• Moving appliances and furniture to clean under and behind
• Vacuuming out and wiping kitchen drawers (then organizing and labeling)
• Bathroom scrubbing
• Clean out the fridge and pantry
• Mirrors, light switches and doorknobs
• Laundry folding, ironing and hanging
• Fan dusting, baseboards, wall wipe downs
• Cabinet doors and handles
• Cabinet organizing
• Linen closet folding
• Car wash and deep clean
• Put together any baby items
• Meal prep freezer meals