An expectant mother, Olivia Wooten, took a unique approach to prepare for the arrival of her second baby by hosting a freezer meal prep party instead of a traditional baby shower. Olivia, who already had all the necessary baby gear from her first pregnancy, wanted to focus on ensuring her family’s meals would be taken care of as they transitioned to a family of four. The stay-at-home mom, who also runs a private chef service, prioritized getting dinners in order for her household. She shared her experience exclusively with PEOPLE, revealing her decision to host a freezer meal prep party instead of a baby shower.
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Olivia shared that during her first pregnancy, she had a baby shower, but this time around, with two under 2 on the way, she wanted to do something different. She explained that the meals she prepared during her first pregnancy didn’t reheat well, so she decided to focus on creating freezer-friendly meals this time. Olivia’s innovative idea caught the attention of many, as she aimed to make the postpartum period easier for her family through thoughtful preparation.
In the lead-up to the freezer meal prep party, Olivia invested time in researching recipes both online and in cookbooks. Drawing inspiration from her family’s love for cooking and her own culinary background, she carefully selected foolproof recipes that would cater to her family’s nutritional preferences. Her consideration for her husband’s high-protein, low-carb diet and her daughter’s food preferences guided her meal selection process to ensure everyone’s needs were met.
With her recipes organised and shopping completed from various stores, including Costco, Aldi, and Kroger, Olivia was ready for the meal prep party. She adopted a mis-en-place approach, a common chef practice of preparing all ingredients beforehand, to streamline the cooking process. Family and friends joined her as they assembled 32 meals in just two hours, making the task manageable even at 37 weeks pregnant with the support of her loved ones.
Since welcoming her new baby, Olivia has been appreciating the convenience of the prepped meals, especially during busy days when she can simply pop a dish in the oven. She noted the positive feedback she received from others who found her idea inspiring and practical, with some considering it for their own baby showers. To further assist families in meal preparation, Olivia generously shared all her freezer-friendly recipes on her Instagram, emphasizing the importance of community support during the postpartum period.
Reflecting on the experience, Olivia highlighted the significance of having a supportive village and stressed the importance of assisting those who may not have access to help during such demanding times. She encouraged expecting mothers to start preparing freezer meals early in their pregnancy, even if they lack a strong support system, suggesting a gradual approach to building a freezer meal supply over time. Olivia’s story serves as a reminder of the power of community support and thoughtful preparation in easing the transition to parenthood.