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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:
TimeForATerf · 18/12/2025 06:32

edited entire post, I get it OP, bit slow as I did not RTFT.

lol, mumsnet full house bingo card. You had me….
nearly.

RessicaJabbit · 18/12/2025 06:15

Well played OP 😄

Owly11 · 18/12/2025 06:15

Not sure why you wanted party food. Surely a nice hearty home cooked dinner would be more appreciated. You definitely need to have those as starters and add in a main course or at least a pudding and cheese too.

Alpinette · 18/12/2025 06:10

Surely anyone who’s ever lived rurally has a freezer permanently stuffed with food? Pizza being a classic. Where we are we are often totally snowed in, or cut off by fallen trees. I don’t believe that you don’t have a host of easy meals that can be rustled up by with the contents of your freezer.

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/12/2025 06:08

Can you send him out to a supermarket open 24/7 even if it’s a trek? He will just be a bit tired the next day. His mess and all that… or as others have said get your ds’s or dd to buy food. If the lads know there’s not enough in the house, they’ll likely sort it out rather than starve.

LegoWig · 18/12/2025 06:06

ChristmasfoodQ · 17/12/2025 22:26

She mentioned trying to get to shops herself on Friday. She is a student so no regular income but has taken in ironing a lot this year and says she wants to treat us.

Show quote history

Oh come on op, you’ve jumped the shark with the taking in ironing reference. I get that you’re going for the mumsnet bingo card but that’s a step too far.

SelotapeChicken · 18/12/2025 05:31

ColinOfficeTrolley · 17/12/2025 20:03

Who the flip wants lentil salad at Christmas?

Yeah this!

Mothership4two · 18/12/2025 05:18

Get groceries delivered and/or that and get a pizza delivered.

OP has explained grocery deliveries are difficult to get where they are @Mangoes822 and no takeaway deliveries

Mangoes822 · 18/12/2025 05:14

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?

Get groceries delivered and/or that and get a pizza delivered.

Terriblytwee · 18/12/2025 04:46

I’d triple that to allow for the late night fridge raid too

bleakmidwintering · 18/12/2025 04:43

Ha ha! M&S isn’t value dear! It’s nice treat food. Can’t you supplement with a different supermarket?

Mothership4two · 18/12/2025 04:38

We've got 2 very tall adult DSs and that doesn't seem a lot. I'd rather serve generous portions if they were coming home like yours - any leftovers would be hoovered up later.

Mothership4two · 18/12/2025 04:34

ChristmasfoodQ · 17/12/2025 21:21

Yeah, without being outing we are very much in an outpost in the DNorth!

Show quote history

We live in a market town in a rural area but it's not remote (11 miles from a city, 8 miles and 7 miles from sizeable towns) and Dominos won't deliver here - or any other delivery companies except one independent takeaway based in my own town.

Evolova · 18/12/2025 03:47

It sounds like you're just trying to make sure everyone is comfortable and happy

FateAmenableToChange · 18/12/2025 03:42

Order takeaway curry. That’s just appetisers.

user1492757084 · 18/12/2025 03:05

Ask DH to make up a boiler of soup with tasty herbs, spices, and warming potato and root vegetables, ham bones, barley, split peas, onion, garlic etc.

The party food with crusty bead and soup could be delicious.
Ask the big lads and their sister to bring something sweet - like chocolates - to share..

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 18/12/2025 02:35

Cook up a big chilli or stew that if leftover can freeze with some crusty bread and use the party food packs as extra sides. Through the evening it will all go.

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 18/12/2025 02:25

ColinOfficeTrolley · 17/12/2025 20:03

Who the flip wants lentil salad at Christmas?

Weird, sad people.

Goldongold · 18/12/2025 02:23

Sounds ok but I would ask the boys to pick up some nice bread and a pudding on their way home

askmenow · 18/12/2025 02:10

No, you need much more food. That’s nibbles only. Your OH sounds mean.
A large pot of chilli, cheesy garlic bread, doritos and some dips and a tomato/ onion salad.
A warming one pot / one plate meal.
And it can be easily reheated over the next days when peckish. Never any wasted in our home .

TheAutumnCrow · 18/12/2025 02:00

I think it’s a bit sad that so many posters aren’t appreciating the finesse with which the OP is taking the piss. Ah well. Twas ever thus.

TwinklyNight · 18/12/2025 01:48

Was it meant to be the evening meal for five adults? No good. If your dc are coming from a place with grocery stores can you send them a list and money? Between the 3 of them they ought to be able to grab dinner stuff to bring home, even if they just pick up frozen meat pies or burgers.

TheAutumnCrow · 18/12/2025 01:36

GrassMarketeer · 17/12/2025 20:19

I actually think this is ok for the pre-made party food element. It's often quite greasy and rich and usually presented as small tasters, not a hearty meal.

Maybe your DH is thinking of adding olive bread, sourdough or rye bread, cheeses, nice crackers, hummus, wnipped feta, some lovely small tomatoes etc.

Saving the budget for that!😀

Maybe your DH is thinking of adding olive bread …

Sorry but that’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever read on on MN, and the bar is pretty high when food is involved Grin

Clonakilla · 18/12/2025 01:22

Seems like a lot of solutions?

Presumably living rurally and only cooking from scratch there’s stuff available to cook. Your husband just makes a lasagne or something.

Or in the two days of busyness someone makes time to buy enough food to feed their family.

or the kids buy food on their way home.

WWomble · 18/12/2025 01:21

You need more food, especially to welcome students home! Garlic bread, pizza, cocktail sausages, a cheese board, crudités and dips - there are plenty of options, you just need someone to go and get it.

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