Forget baby showers, 'nesting parties' will be one of 2025's biggest trends

New parents are celebrating differently

Parents are ditching cute onesies for community-focused, practical support as they prepare for parenthood.

If you’ve ever attended a baby shower, you’ll know they’re a unique type of event. Activities can range from guessing the size of the baby bump with a piece of string, playing trivia about the mum-to-be, and even the infamous game involving chocolate and nappies (yes, really!).

While these gatherings are a fun way to celebrate parenthood, baby showers have evolved in recent years. Many now include both parents, with trends like “baby-queues” growing in popularity and more low-key “baby sprinkles,” where guests come together for a relaxed, celebratory lunch.

And in 2025, baby showers are getting a rebrand, and it’s about so much more than cute onesies and pastel cupcakes. According to Pinterest’s newly released Pinterest Predicts report—a highly anticipated annual trend forecast—it has unveiled the next big thing in modern parenting culture: nesting parties.

According to Pinterest, interest in nesting parties has already surged by +205%, and searches for freezer-friendly meal prep (+85%) also indicate a shift in how we rally around new parents.

So, what exactly is a nesting party, and how is it different from a baby shower? A nesting party is all about providing practical support for new parents. Whether friends help assemble baby furniture, clean the house, or stock the freezer with meals, nesting parties bring your chosen village together to offer real, tangible help.

The Modern Village, in Action

These events aren’t just celebrations—they’re acts of solidarity and community, something many modern parents say is harder than ever to create in such a fragmented society.

According to Tully Walter, a futures strategist at Soon Future Studies, Gen Z and Millennials are at the forefront of this movement. This highlights a growing desire for community support as people start having families.“Nesting parties embody a return to a ‘village’ mentality, where communities rally to support new parents—aligning perfectly with these generations' desire for purpose-driven, inclusive, and practical celebrations,” Walter tells Body+Soul. “Nesting parties are heralding a new economy of care and community overconsumption,” she adds.

Walter says the biggest factors for this shift are the surging cost of living and the stress of global warming. “Because of this, people are gravitating toward meaningful, low-waste gatherings, prioritising connection and purpose,” she explains.

These events aren’t just celebrations—they’re acts of solidarity and community, something many modern parents say is harder than ever to create in such a fragmented society. Image: Pexels

Communities Build Confidence

According to Keisha Hutchens and Ariel Bryant, co-founders of From Day One—a purpose-built space in Melbourne for mothers and their babies—a supportive community fosters confidence in parents.

“Community builds confidence, which is exactly what new parents need. They don’t need unsolicited advice or criticism from the internet; they need reassurance that they know their baby best,” they explain.

The co-founders highlight that inviting loved ones into your space before having a baby to an event like a nesting party can help parents feel more comfortable accepting support down the line.

“So many people don’t want to host after a baby—and understandably so! Nesting parties bring family and friends into your home before the baby arrives. That way, they know where things are and how to help you tidy up and organise to restore the space to how it was before. Parents will feel more at ease accepting help, knowing their guests are already familiar with the space,” they explain.

“So many people don’t want to host after a baby—and understandably so!" Image: Pexels

Beyond the Onesies: Acts of Real Service

Well-meaning friends and family are often eager to help in an impactful way, but traditional gifts can sometimes overlook what parents actually need.

“Baby showers only focus on the baby's needs, not the mother's, and normally involve an influx of products and outfits you may never even use,” they say.

They predict that in 2025, nesting parties will champion acts of service and care, gifting families with meal delivery, doula support, and postpartum experts who assist with feeding, sleep, and physical recovery.

“After a baby is born, their needs are simple. It’s the mother who needs nourishment, rest, and support to thrive in the fourth trimester,” the co-founders explain.

“Baby showers only focus on the baby's needs, not the mother's, and normally involve an influx of products and outfits you may never even use,” they say. Image: iStock

Creating Lifelines for New Parents

Ultimately, nesting parties help parents build a strong support network, which is invaluable during the often isolating postpartum period.

“Support is essential for parents,” say Bryant and Hutchens. “Whether it’s family, friends, or a parent group, having people going through the same experiences—or who’ve been through it and can share firsthand knowledge—is vital.”

“Parenting is hard! It’s a shock to the system, but it’s also incredibly joyful. Having people who can hold your hand through all those emotions makes all the difference.”

Originally published as Forget baby showers, 'nesting parties' will be one of 2025's biggest trends