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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:
Toothfairy89 · 17/12/2025 20:57

soupyspoon · 17/12/2025 20:05

Is this to feed people the whole evening, so picky bits all night, grazing?

It wont be enough if so, but presumably you have bread and pasta or rice in the house with veg perhaps, mix up a big pot of flavoured rice/pasta with veg in it, perhaps nuts and seeds, perhaps mix tuna and olives in it, so its a hearty big bowl and supplements the little bits

Then cheeses, we have a virtal cheese board in the fridge at all times to be honest, we have tons of tins of beans and lentils so could make up a big veggie chilli or just bean stew type thing and that can be put on teh side.

But I suppose the whole point was not cooking so scrap that

No bread in the freezer?

He'll just have to go back out if you havent got anything.

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

Delphiniumandlupins · 17/12/2025 20:57

If he's worried about the cost why didn't he go to Aldi rather than M & S? Get a plate and portion out 1/5 of what he's bought, so he can see how much he is going to get for dinner. Then explain to him that he will be last to help himself and if the DC take more he will get less. Can your DD or either DS pick up some more food?

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 17/12/2025 20:56

Does he resent the ds's coming home?

LovesLabradors · 17/12/2025 20:54

This has to be a joke - doesn't sound nearly enough for 5.
My early-20s sons would eat that as a side with a Dominos pizza, and then want pudding.
I can't believe how much young men eat & stay slim!

Notashamed13 · 17/12/2025 20:54

Not rtft. Got any oven chips????? Yanbu

soupyspoon · 17/12/2025 20:53

InfoSecInTheCity · 17/12/2025 20:51

True, it is a faff and goes against the concept of bunging stuff in the oven but the situation is what it is now and from what the OP has said:

  • they have a limited amount of bung it 8n the oven party food available
  • no access to the shops due to time and location
  • usual food is non- upf and cook from scratch so presumably store cupboard basics and whole foods in the freezer.

So the choice appears to be:

  • Be hungry after a small meal
  • make some stuff to bulk it out.
Show quote history

True. The husband is in for faff alright.

soupyspoon · 17/12/2025 20:51

dontmalbeconme · 17/12/2025 20:41

I agree the selection isn't very varied, and I'd prefer some salad, veg, cheesebord etc. But that wasn't the question. OP asked if it was sufficient quantity, and I think it probably is, depending on the items bought.

Show quote history

Ok fair enough I get that. I thought perhaps it might not be enough, firstly those items are very small but also the xample was probably not based on the usual 3 for 2 ones, you couldnt get 50 cocktail sausages in one of those deals I think.

The 3 for 2 deals are normally trays of 10 things each.

InfoSecInTheCity · 17/12/2025 20:51

soupyspoon · 17/12/2025 20:26

Jesus what a load of faff, the whole point of party food is its processed and oven ready and easy to eat and slap on the table. Presumably if OP wanted to make a load of stuff she wouldnt have sent him out for prepped party food.

Show quote history

True, it is a faff and goes against the concept of bunging stuff in the oven but the situation is what it is now and from what the OP has said:

  • they have a limited amount of bung it 8n the oven party food available
  • no access to the shops due to time and location
  • usual food is non- upf and cook from scratch so presumably store cupboard basics and whole foods in the freezer.

So the choice appears to be:

  • Be hungry after a small meal
  • make some stuff to bulk it out.
Justchilling07 · 17/12/2025 20:51

DappledThings · 17/12/2025 20:03

Doesn't seem that bad. 1.5 sharing things each plus cold meats and crisps. It's not overflowing but it's not noticeably mean either I don't think.

Doesn’t seem that good either😂
I completely agree with op, personally, l think it’s come across as mean spirited, no effort has been made, that’ll do, sort of outlook.Bah humbug😬

TowerRavenSeven · 17/12/2025 20:44

No way enough food. Our ds is coming home with his gf (so four adults total) and we just bought a 16 lb. Turkey for one meal + sandwiches. Not to mention I made a 3 lb fruitcake, mince pies, gingerbread men and cinnamon biscuits, plus all the snacks, party mix, booze, etc.

DaisyChain505 · 17/12/2025 20:44

I’d be adding a few pizzas, a bag of wedges and some garlics breads into the mix.

Happyjoe · 17/12/2025 20:43

Can you get pizza delivered? Perfect treat for uni students and the other bits on the side.

Sorry, Edit - just read you are out in the sticks, so prob no delivery option. Looks like one of you has to go shopping again..

tara66 · 17/12/2025 20:43

OP point out to DH that he has totally missed the (secular) point of the festivity (which generally applies to all festivities in different cultures) - which is to spread a little joy and abundance - and not be a meanie with snacks and treats for D Family.

ElectoralControversy · 17/12/2025 20:42

Sorry - just to be clear - is that ^ supposed to be dinner for 5? Not, like, a starter?

caringcarer · 17/12/2025 20:42

readystdygo · 17/12/2025 20:40

Personally I think that's enough... maybe cook a pizza to go with it but cant see why you need more.

OP's DH didn't buy any pizza and she lives out in the wild so no popping out to get pizza.

suburberphobe · 17/12/2025 20:41

I would never live rural.

My supermarket is a ten minute walk away.

PinkyFlamingo · 17/12/2025 20:41

Of course it's not enough.

caringcarer · 17/12/2025 20:41

I'd be bloody furious with him. Your kids are coming home and he doesn't want to feed them properly. Do you have a large freezer? If so I'd fork out for a supermarket delivery and always keep a few pizzas, garlic bread, things like chicken breasts, meat skewers and party bits in there. I'd make him go back out and rectify his mistake. Silly man

dontmalbeconme · 17/12/2025 20:41

soupyspoon · 17/12/2025 20:38

What with no bread, coleslaw, hummus, guacamole, cheeses, other salady bits if so inclined, pickled onions.

Show quote history

I agree the selection isn't very varied, and I'd prefer some salad, veg, cheesebord etc. But that wasn't the question. OP asked if it was sufficient quantity, and I think it probably is, depending on the items bought.

theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 17/12/2025 20:41

Taweofterror · 17/12/2025 20:35

Oh and a 6 figure salary!

I know, my eyes cannot roll back any further...

readystdygo · 17/12/2025 20:40

Personally I think that's enough... maybe cook a pizza to go with it but cant see why you need more.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 17/12/2025 20:39

Overthebow · 17/12/2025 20:20

Have you got any store cupboard things like stuffing mix you could make into balls, or bread mix that you could make some rolls with to bulk it out? I think it would be fine with a filler like those.

This is the second post about eating stuffing as a snack, I honestly didn’t think that was a thing.

soupyspoon · 17/12/2025 20:38

dontmalbeconme · 17/12/2025 20:35

Op, can you give the portions and types of food. 50 cocktail sausages (so 10 each) is going to be more substantial than 10 chicken skewers (2 each).

I think his choices might make a difference.

But I'm imagining a plate with 10 cocktail sausage rolls, 2 chicken skewers, 2 tempura prawns, 3 Indian snacks, 3 spring rolls and 2 mozzerella sticks, plus crisps (more than the equivalent of a single serve bag each), olives, salami etc, and thinking that seems plenty, even for rugby players (probably too much for lighter eaters). And that would leave extras if you'd bought (from Sainsbo's) the items I've listed.

What with no bread, coleslaw, hummus, guacamole, cheeses, other salady bits if so inclined, pickled onions.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 17/12/2025 20:38

user1492757084 · 17/12/2025 20:32

It's plenty of party food.
Ask your sons to russle up something extra in the kitchen.
Cheese Toasties.
Mince on Toast.
Savoury Scones.
Scrambled Eggs.
Hot Potato Salad.

Mince on toast? Mincemeat or minced meat, both equally gross.

Bibbitybobbity70 · 17/12/2025 20:37

Seems ok to me, we had party food last weekend when our DS were home. Apart from some garlic bread & dips extra it fed all 5 of us & a fair bit left over.
We are same family size & 2 hungry student DS

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