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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this really enough food? Fed up of DH’s tightness

262 replies

ChristmasfoodQ · 17/12/2025 19:55

To give some background, I live with DH and our DD. We have two sons who are at Uni and will be returning to ours ahead of the weekend for Christmas.

For the first night they are back, we thought it would be good to have party food so DH went out to get this earlier. We are both busy the next two days so this was the only opportunity - we also live very rurally so can’t just pop down the round for a shop.

He has come back with the following:

-2 lots of ‘3 for 2’ party food so 6 in total - things like breaded prawns and spring rolls. Not massive portions at all
-Two share bags of crisps
-Olives and a small pack of antipasto (salami etc)

Now, both DS’ are 6 foot plus rugby playing young men. They eat us out of house and home at the best of times. DD is really slender but has a healthy appetite too.

I don’t know what DH was thinking - I’d clearly said to buy double that amount of party food. Having discussed with him, it comes down to money which is ridiculous. He earns six figures which is complimented by my own salary and we have ample disposable income.

He maintains its sufficient food for the 5 of us. AIBU to disagree?

OP posts:
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Twofortheroadwanderlust · 23/12/2025 22:22

Hotmess101 · 18/12/2025 11:27

Not to mention the husband earning six figures 😂

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Off spring that ‘inhale’ whole loaves of bread and 2kg blocks of cheese 🧀
DH With an ‘outing’ hobby …

Mothership4two · 18/12/2025 19:00

@DiaryofaProvincialLady

We just need her to round off the evening by boiling all towels that anyone has glanced at (but not touched) and popping her loo brush in the dishwasher.

😂

Umm missing the classic annoying MIL ,OP

Also where's the mention of daily showers and a pet free home?

BiddyPopthe2nd · 18/12/2025 18:50

Can you add anything to it nearer home? Like some cheese and crackers, hummus and breadsticks and veggie sticks (carrot, cucumber, peppers), cooked meats…?

If you have any chickpeas in the cupboard, some garlic and some lemon, you could whizz up hummus at home. Or tzaziki with Greek yoghurt and cucumber. Or guacamole with avocado, lime, garlic and paprika. Make garlic bread with a french stick or part-baked bread?

But you definitely need more carb, and more basic food.

We go through 3-4 packs of party food as a starter for 3, not as a main course!

Taweofterror · 18/12/2025 16:16

If a tattle lifer posts a thread on Mumsnet, does it not make them a mumsnetter? Op you have become the thing you hate!

DiaryofaProvincialLady · 18/12/2025 14:46

ChristmasfoodQ · 17/12/2025 22:11

DH is now claiming he doesn’t remember me saying how many items we’d need. I often wonder if he has got early onset dementia sometimes!

Ok stop it now. 😂

But also, have you had him assessed for ADHD?

DiaryofaProvincialLady · 18/12/2025 14:35

Taweofterror · 17/12/2025 20:34

Lordy. It feels like someone wrote this thread to try and get a round of Mumsnet bingo in. We have:
6ft tall rugby playing sons
Slim daughter
Loves rurally
Mention of UPF

Perhaps you send him back out for a magical chicken that makes 5 meals and a massive salad?

Edited

We just need her to round off the evening by boiling all towels that anyone has glanced at (but not touched) and popping her loo brush in the dishwasher.

I'd also suggest she cancels any cheques and maybe take in some ironing to earn some extra cash.

HangingOver · 18/12/2025 14:28

InfoSecInTheCity · 18/12/2025 00:03

It’s seasoned mince served on toast. See image attached.

Show quote history

Oh.

FurForksSake · 18/12/2025 12:56

Oh no had OP not come back? We need a parking diagram, an elderly Korean woman and a discussion about the disgusting greed that is Christmas Eve boxes and more than one present per person.

where are the grandparents? Can’t they help with food and some babysitting despite being 95?

DarkPassenger1 · 18/12/2025 11:44

Just thinking outside the box, your two sons are adults now. Why don't you ask them to pick up some food to contribute? It might give them a nice sense of being trusted and of being treated like an adult.

Hotmess101 · 18/12/2025 11:27

Taweofterror · 17/12/2025 20:34

Lordy. It feels like someone wrote this thread to try and get a round of Mumsnet bingo in. We have:
6ft tall rugby playing sons
Slim daughter
Loves rurally
Mention of UPF

Perhaps you send him back out for a magical chicken that makes 5 meals and a massive salad?

Edited

Not to mention the husband earning six figures 😂

Charminggoldfinch · 18/12/2025 10:27

It’s not enough food. For example if you go out for tapas the recommended amount is 3-4 tapas dishes per person to them share between the table. If you applied that to your party food then you need to at least double what you have bought. Prepared party food is expensive - but it is also a one off and still cheaper than you going out for food.

Chazbots · 18/12/2025 10:20

Honestly, you bright lot should have started a TAAT and left us clueless ones to it. 😀

Mind you, I can get 8 meals out of a small chicken...I smile every time I manage it these days!

MrsGusset · 18/12/2025 09:42

harriethoyle · 18/12/2025 09:18

Add a neighbour not taking their parcel in and this thread is full on mumsnet joy 🤣

All we need now is the narcissistic mother-in-law to invite herself to the party. And the pizza delivery guy to ask to use her lavatory then we'll have MN Full House.

Nicely done @ChristmasfoodQ You've given me a good laugh with this one. Hope your boys enjoy the mince on toast with lentil salad side.

itsthetea · 18/12/2025 09:18

both of you are being unreasonable

here should have got a load of bread and salad bits ( tomatoes, carrot and pepper sticks) and coleslaw / cheap and filling food to supplement the party treats

harriethoyle · 18/12/2025 09:18

Add a neighbour not taking their parcel in and this thread is full on mumsnet joy 🤣

Starlight1984 · 18/12/2025 09:17

Taweofterror · 17/12/2025 20:34

Lordy. It feels like someone wrote this thread to try and get a round of Mumsnet bingo in. We have:
6ft tall rugby playing sons
Slim daughter
Loves rurally
Mention of UPF

Perhaps you send him back out for a magical chicken that makes 5 meals and a massive salad?

Edited

😆

SonK · 18/12/2025 09:04

If you can't pop into store or get deliveries then just transfer your son money as someone mentioned and send them a list of some more stuff.
The stuff your husband got doesn't sound very filling, more like nibbles to be honest and with 5 grown adults it will vanish quickly.

SonK · 18/12/2025 09:00

Sorry OP, but I don't think it's enough.

You need to get more stuff or order a few pizzas as well and get a ready made cake mix for dessert

Scentmas · 18/12/2025 08:33

I don’t know why they do, but I wouldn’t spend my mental energy stressing over it

HomeTheatreSystem · 18/12/2025 08:22

He maintains its sufficient food for the 5 of us. AIBU to disagree?

Why do men choose pinch points like these to make a point that can't be made?

Scentmas · 18/12/2025 08:07

The shops are open almost 24/7 in the next week. Surely you can get to one over the next couple of days.

Personally I’d be pissed off but then I would quickly just sort it out. It wouldn’t be worth the mental stress of arguing

Hollietree · 18/12/2025 07:27

If he is insistent that it is enough for all of you - tell him to prepare it all and serve it out. The 3 kids can go first and eat until they are full up, then he can eat whatever is left over (likely nothing!)

(And then you can order a takeaway to feed everyone who will still be hungry).

Enrichetta · 18/12/2025 07:07

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 18/12/2025 02:25

Weird, sad people.

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I’m neither weird nor sad, but I make a mean lentil salad. Salads, actually.

All kinds of ingredients apart from lentils - tomatoes, obviously, plus peppers, different kinds of onions, cucumber….. whatever. Dressed in lemon juice + EVOO, or a yoghurt and/or mild ‘curry’ dressing, or a balsamic vinaigrette with a kick.

What's not to like, especially if it’s part of a festive spread with smoked salmon, fancy cheeses, olives and sun-dried tomatoes, and ‘artisan’ breads.

Plus some good wines et cetera…

soupyspoon · 18/12/2025 06:47

Toothfairy89 · 17/12/2025 20:57

No one wants a bowl of rice, veg and nuts when they're supposed to be having party food

Op he needs more party food, or at least pizza or some French bread/garlic bread type thing. His own stupid fault that he didn't buy enough and needs to go back out

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You havent had a beautiful pilaf or biryani at a party? You havent tasted my rice dishes at parties obviously!!

HerNeighbourTotoro · 18/12/2025 06:32

Despite writing 'kindly' a number of times, you come across really unkind and horrible in some of the responses.

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