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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:
Isittimeformynapyet · 18/12/2025 01:18

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

@GrassMarketeer

This. I have no doubt whatsoever that this was exactly what the DH was thinking 🤔

DBD1975 · 18/12/2025 01:11

OP I would never trust my DH to shop, he would have come home with half that amount of food!
He is also mean and hates spending money on anything unrelated to his hobbies.

There is no answer other than you have to find time to do some additional shopping yourself or cook some extra food.

Your DH obviously has form for this.

I couldn't bear it and no matter what would be back to the shops to stock up on some decent food. Tesco are open all night and there must be a shop locally you could buy some additional food from.

Good luck with getting it sorted.

Somethingneedstochange78 · 18/12/2025 01:04

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

I forgot to post the recipe it’s this.

https://www.kitchensanctuary.com/sticky-pineapple-chicken/

Sticky Pineapple Chicken

Sticky Pineapple Chicken - Juicy pieces of chicken, fried up with peppers, onions and pineapple chunks in a simple, sweet and savoury stir-fry sauce.

https://www.kitchensanctuary.com/sticky-pineapple-chicken/

justasking111 · 18/12/2025 01:03

We have spare freezer in the garage. When the lads came home from university it was well stocked with Iceland food. They ate at odd hours.

@ChristmasfoodQ you'll have to go shopping yourself. Stock up. Or as I've done let the boys do a shop and reimburse them. Mine loved Lidl.

shuggles · 18/12/2025 00:54

@ChristmasfoodQ 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.

According to mumsnet, that's only average. Need to be careful.

IHateTheElf · 18/12/2025 00:34

Well even if you think it's vile you could always get one of your sons to pop into the shithole that is Greg's and bulk it out with some stake bakes or something?

Glitterybee · 18/12/2025 00:31

dontmalbeconme · 17/12/2025 20:08

I think it is enough actually. 6 bags/boxes of hot nibbles means the equivalent of one whole pack each, plus a spare pack, plus crisps, olives, salami etc. Looking in my freezer a pack is 18 piece Indian selection , 14 mozzerella sticks, 12 tempura prawns etc, so you've got more than a dozen hot nibbles each plus all the extras, which is a fair amount.That said, I'd probably have bought more, thinking any extras could just go in the freezer. And fillerlike baguette or garlic bread would be good to have on hand too.

Edited

I agree it’s enough food and I’m not an under eater! I eat loads.

I think people are missing the fact he bought 6 packs of party food. I had to read it a couple of times, I read it as ‘2 packs’ the first time.

angelfacecuti75 · 18/12/2025 00:29

Get rugby player sons to get stuff on way through & transfer them the money. Tell husband off for being a dipshit*, tight arse who couldnt organise a piss up in a brewery and get sons to contribute something instead of eating everything you have no matter how broke they are. They arent kids they are young adults. Even if that contribution is going to the flipping shops on their way through a train station & going to m& s.

2Rebecca · 18/12/2025 00:29

It sounds as though he is trying to get out of shopping again. I probably would have gone if he has form for being tight with money and clueless with amounts

Thedownwardspiralpath · 18/12/2025 00:26

I’m doing something similar with my daughter and 2 grandsons, 9 and 12 but we also have a couple of pizzas, crackers, pate, cheese, melty Camembert, garlic bread, coleslaw, dip and a pecan and toffee roulade ( you can keep your olives 😁) We will be grazing on this while watching movies and playing games. Probably have brunch that day and put it out about 4.00. I’d rather have too much and the boys can really eat.

Somethingneedstochange78 · 18/12/2025 00:23

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

I made this last night. I am trying to make do with what we have in before our big Christmas shop is delivered. Was really simple to do and would go perfectly with those spring rolls and prawns. I doubled up on the onions and peppers. DD said she enjoyed it more than her favourite sweet and sour Hong Kong style takeaway.

Daygloboo · 18/12/2025 00:13

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?

He's clueless.

Happytap · 18/12/2025 00:04

Oh this was a great thread when I'm doing the night feed! Thanks OP! I was with you until the outing hobby. Brilliant!

InfoSecInTheCity · 18/12/2025 00:03

HangingOver · 17/12/2025 23:27

Can someone just please fucking explain what mince on toast is

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

Is this really enough food? Fed up of DH’s tightness
HangingOver · 18/12/2025 00:01

Minjou · 17/12/2025 23:27

Isn't it self explanatory?

Show quote history

But but but... Mince like mine pies or just fried crumbles of cooked beef/mine/turkey? If so does it not all roll off? Is there seasoning? Sauce? Cheese? I need to know 😂

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 18/12/2025 00:01

Crushed23 · 17/12/2025 22:59

This thread is like Mumsnet bingo!

Live rurally
6-foot rugby-playing DS’s
Very slender DD
Six-figure salary
Taken in ironing
Husband’s outing hobby
Always cook from scratch
Early onset dementia
Perimenopause

LOVE it!

😂 Isn’t it? Its got a bit of everything!

I hope the Tattle thread spot it.

Tomomomatoes · 17/12/2025 23:50

If DH does go back out to the shops just make sure no one parks in your drive!

MySilentLions · 17/12/2025 23:36

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!😀

I doubt the DH is thinking of anything like that at all. Confused

MySilentLions · 17/12/2025 23:34

Natty13 · 17/12/2025 20:12

If he is insistant it's enough food then let the DC and yourself fill your plates first and leave him to whatever is left. Men only learn from consequences. Plus why should everyone else skimp and go hungry because of his tightness?

Love this idea!! Oh nothing left? Such a shame …

PinkyFlamingo · 17/12/2025 23:34

Just do a magic chicken. Obviously have to go to a shop as you live so rural.

latetothefisting · 17/12/2025 23:32

He sounds really stupid and illogical if he resents spending money on food bit at the same time will only go to the most expensive supermarkets.

Surely the best solution if he was adamant it was enough food would be to say "fair enough, the four of us will take what we want first and you can have whatever is left over. If you're right there will be enough food for a full portion for you. If I'm right you'll go hungry, which is only fair given you were the one who deliberately didn't buy enough food." Surely any decent parent would rather themselves go hungry than their kids anyway.

SALaw · 17/12/2025 23:32

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

Just give her the money to buy more?! Isn’t that a very obvious solution?

Minjou · 17/12/2025 23:27

HangingOver · 17/12/2025 23:27

Can someone just please fucking explain what mince on toast is

Isn't it self explanatory?

HangingOver · 17/12/2025 23:27

Can someone just please fucking explain what mince on toast is

MrsGusset · 17/12/2025 23:25

Crushed23 · 17/12/2025 22:59

This thread is like Mumsnet bingo!

Live rurally
6-foot rugby-playing DS’s
Very slender DD
Six-figure salary
Taken in ironing
Husband’s outing hobby
Always cook from scratch
Early onset dementia
Perimenopause

LOVE it!

I wonder if DH is on the Dspectrum?

Perhaps OP could make a mahoosive salad and allow her lads unlimited access to the fruit bowl.

Swipe left for the next trending thread