To Shower or Not to Shower: The Nesting Party Debate

Welcoming a new baby is nothing less than achieving the biggest milestone of your life. And for decades, baby showers have been the traditional way to celebrate this transition. However, recently, a new trend has been buzzing around among expecting parents and their loved ones. It’s the nesting party! This approach blends practicality with celebration. And with changing tastes, busier lives, and the ever-changing needs of parents, families are switching traditional baby showers with low-key and cozy nesting parties.

So what’s the actual deal behind nesting parties? Whether you should consider this new transition or this is just a trend that will pass away? Read below this interesting article to learn about the shower or not to shower-nesting party debate.

A baby shower is a traditional event where friends and family gather to celebrate a baby on the way. It is usually organized by close friends or family members. And gifts, cakes, and fun are some elements of the party. On the other hand, a nesting party is more practical in its element. Instead of focusing on gifts, it focuses on helping the parents-to-be prepare for life with a newborn by setting up the nursery, baby essentials, or even preparing freezer meals together.

A recent survey has witnessed a shift toward these more practical celebrations, with around 30% of parents preferring nesting parties over baby showers. This is because the nesting parties offer much-needed help as parents in their journey of welcoming the baby.

Here are three key reasons why a nesting party might be your major pick.

Did you know in the U.S., the average cost to raise a baby in the first year alone is about $10,000? So, parents have a lot to juggle, both financially and mentally. In this case, a nesting party offers practical support and brings friends and family together for activities such as assembling the crib, organizing clothes, or meal-prepping. Overall, for parents who feel overwhelmed by all the things left to do, a nesting party can feel like a breath of relief.

While baby showers are wonderful, sometimes they come with high expectations. On the other hand, nesting parties are designed to be low-key and comfortable, with an atmosphere that is welcoming for every guest. And for parents who don’t love the spotlight, it’s a way to still celebrate without all eyes on them for hours. Just put on some music, share some snacks, and let everyone enjoy the preparation.

On one hand, where baby showers are large events, nesting parties are usually more intimate, which allows parents to spend real time with a small group of close friends and family members. And this can feel especially comforting as the countdown to the baby's arrival gets closer. The smaller and more personal the event feels, the better is the quality time you get together to spend instead of trying to mingling around with a larger crowd.

Here are a few reasons why a baby shower might be the perfect fit for your celebrations.

For most families, baby showers are a rite of passage, something their parents and grandparents did before them. So, if you love celebrations with a classic element—cake, games, and gifts—a  baby shower might be your choice.

Even though nesting parties offer practical help, baby showers are great when it comes to collecting gifts from your registry. Of course, babies have a long list of essentials, and the registry can go a long way in reducing expenses.

The truth is, some parents want a full-fledged joyful celebration along with a big crowd cheering them on their preparation of the baby's arrival. Baby showers make it possible to celebrate with more friends and family members, with an atmosphere of joy and excitement.

The debate between the traditional baby shower and trending nesting parties is actually a reflection of how parents want to celebrate—whether a cheerful crowd or hands-on help. Whatever the way you choose, in the end, it's all about feeling supported, loved, and getting ready to welcome the new baby.