Family member has bought refrigerated gifts

It will then need to be in the fridge once given, until all eaten. They are very bonkers.
Just provide a space outside the back door.

I have lidded plastic boxes that I use to keep food either outside or in the shed in case of fridge overflow at Christmas. Drinks go out in the shed in their bottles and we bring stuff in as we need it. Could this be a solution?

Guess they’re manifesting the Christmas story, ‘There's no room at the inn!’ , and expecting op to find room!

Can you reply that the food will have to go in the stable?!

Yes I definitely wouldn’t be keeping cheese or trifle outside. The local wildlife would be gleeful if I did.

We do actually have a second fridge but that's always rammed - it's our drinks fridge - and certainly would be at Christmas too, as any overflow from our regular fridge would get tucked into the drinks fridge. I suppose bottles could be stored outside but we have a large contingent of foxes and I can imagine their glee if they discovered someone had put out a load of cheese (or a trifle or profiteroles or all three!) for them. You don't want cheeses with sharp pointy toothmarks in it. No garage either.

You could put the item(s) in the NDN's fridge but tbh I wouldn't accommodate this family member, they have to learn. I hope they're not one of those annoyomg people who just won't be told, my MIL was one of those. You could talk yourself blue in the face and she'd just dismiss it all. So infuriating (especially when posters say "Oh just use your words OP and TELL her/him. Whyyyy can't people just speak to people these days blah blah". Because they don't bloody listen, that's why)!

I keep veg in a lidded plastic box in the porch or even outside if it's not freezing. But agree you don't turn up demanding two fridge shelves when you're staying with someone for Christmas. I'm really interested in what it is they're bringing!

Well it needs to be kept very cool until you are going to eat it. Where do you keep your cheese then?

A fridge runs at 5 degrees so if you have an out building or external garage, they should be fine in there.

Or as per your PP, you are doing your neighbours a favour and I don't suppose they would be bothered about you using the fridge, if they are away I doubt it will be full of food

They are about three hours journey away so no chance sadly of popping back for it. They are here earlier than everyone else as they don’t drive, my son is collecting them on his way here. My neighbours are on holiday for Christmas and we have their keys and are turning lights on and doing their bins. I might text and explain and ask if they’d mind - but I really don’t want to. We always accommodate this family member and I’m pretty fed up of it.

Perhaps they’ve never hosted and dont fully appreciate the delicate balancing act of getting everything into the fridge for Christmas?

Lots of things go into our other fridge at Christmas, ie opening the back door and putting the wine and beer outside.

Using the neighbours fridge does sound sensible though. I will be doing exactly the same thing with a relatives.

They have already decided. The deciding has been done.

Cheese doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

'LET THERE BE SPACE'

I’d be hyperventilating if I had to clear 2 shelves at Christmas time!

If it's someone obtuse enough not to understand that a fridge is most likely going to be full before a large gathering, my bet is that they are also thick enough to buy some 'impressive' food item that has already been thought of and catered for.

Yes agreed. I understand that the person is a massive pain and who brings large refrigerated goods to a christmas host, but there’s an easy solution which costs nothing and solves the problem. I think dislike of the individual is clouding the issue.

This does seem very short sighted on their part. I'm very interested to hear what they are. 2 shelves is huge at Christmas. My fridge only has 4!

I don't think its the OP being difficult or creating drama! I'd say that's on the presuming relatives. Neighbours have left the key for OP to keep an eye and do bins etc. Who says they'll be happy about OP potentially trailing her relatives into their house with their chilled offerings?

If they kick up a fuss you say calmly I don’t understand what you thought I’d do- cancel the Christmas turkey and ham because you were binging a ‘surprise’?

This is exactly what I would do 👍 I genuinely can't believe anyone would be so presumptuous to think someone will have 2 empty fridge shelves this time of year, and it would massively annoy me.

😂😂

Do send the picture.

Is it cold enough that they can sit in a plastic box outside?

Please do update what they are.

Is someone in need of a kidney? Could it be that?

Why are you being difficult and creating drama? Just ask the neighbours as you have their key then its sorted.

It will be cheese I reckon, I’ve ordered a fancy cheese hamper for one set of my family - but although im taking it to another family member’s house on the big day I fully plan to say to them to pop it the garage or their car after opening - it’s winter in the uk it’s plenty cold enough there. Just pack your fridge solid and repeat that they are welcome to store it outside.

Or a whole pig. At least they can take the blanket upstairs.