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Home › Articles › Baby Shower Information › A Meal Prep Baby Shower

A Meal Prep Baby Shower

Stocking the Mom-to-be's Freezer Before Baby Arrives

By Renee Roberson

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With the shower Hawkins is helping organize, the hosts are paying for the first 10 meals prepped, and they've also invited guests to make additional meals at their own expense if they choose to. Everyone can pitch in and help prep the meals as part of the festivities. Since this is the expectant mother's first child, the hosts also included her traditional registry information in their invitations, in case guests want to bring baby clothing or gear for a gift instead.

Planning Considerations

The most important thing to consider is how much freezer space the expectant parents have for the frozen meals. If they only have a small freezer, you might want to consider presenting the mom-to-be with an organized list of meals that will be prepared and brought by guests on specific dates. You can still do a recipe swap that way, too. Also be sure to ask if there are any vegetarian family members, food sensitivities or allergies in the family, or any dishes and ingredients that Mom and Dad just don't care for. That way, none of the meals will go to waste.

With a little planning ahead and organization, the new parents will relish these thoughtful "gifts" for months as they help their new addition settle into a comfortable routine without having to scramble to put together dinner (or head to the nearest take-out joint) every night.

Meal Prep Shower Planning Tips

Holly Calabro, co-owner of Let's Dish (www.letsdish.com), a meal prep store located in Greensboro, N.C., offers step-by-step tips to help organize an effective and efficient baby shower:

  • Plan ahead. Call the store to ensure the date and time you're interested in is available. Saturday mornings are usually the busiest days for meal prep businesses; Saturday afternoons are ideal. Menus change each month so, if you can, select the month that has the menu that appeals the most to the mother-to-be.
  • Make the guests aware of the type of shower you are holding and ask for donations to pay for the mom-to-be's meals. Gauge guests' interest in preparing meals for themselves. Some meal prep stores require a minimum purchase in order to keep the store closed to the public. You'll probably need to have menu choices selected and turned in to the store a few days prior to the party.
  • Ask if you can bring decorations, play games and bring in food for snacks. Most stores will offer food samples and a beverage or two, but if you'd like to serve more at the shower, ask if it's OK to bring additional food. See if they have glasses, plates and/or silverware for you to use and if it's OK to bring wine or other drinks. If you can't decorate the entire store, ask if it's all right to decorate a certain area.
  • Inquire about party perks. Meal prep stores often give "rewards" for parties that meet a certain criteria. Find out the criteria and the accompanying rewards – you might even earn a gift certificate worth another month's worth of meals for the mom-to-be.
  • Call to confirm the day prior to the shower to tie up any loose ends and to confirm the number of guests and orders.
  • Show up the day of your party with your camera – you'll want to record the fun!

Chicken Tetrazzini

Looking for a quick and easy meal to take to a meal prep baby shower? Try this one!

10 ounces dry spaghetti
3 cups grated cheese (Monterey Jack or cheddar)
3 tablespoons margarine
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
1 soup can of milk
3 cups cooked, diced chicken
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook spaghetti as directed, drain. Saute onions in margarine. Mix onions and remaining ingredients with spaghetti in large bowl. Put mixture in two different containers and freeze. To prepare for serving, thaw tetrazzini and put in baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F about 30 to 40 minutes until bubbly. Makes two casseroles.


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