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AIBU?

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Original poster

Family member has bought refrigerated gifts

408 replies

ScottyandWestie · 18/12/2025 20:15

AIBU - Family member arriving on Saturday to stay for the whole of Christmas has just advised me they are bringing gifts which need to be refrigerated. It’s not alcohol but they will not explain what the items are for fear of “spoiling the surprise” and will need “possibly two shelves of the fridge”. I have a large fridge but due to catering to a huge amount of people over the Christmas period it’s full and will be at capacity tomorrow. I explained this but they are adamant. AIBU to suggest they store their gifts in a cool box in our shed?

OP posts:
SheinIsShite · 18/12/2025 22:31

Boot of the car?

MimiGC · 18/12/2025 22:29

Just say no again and when they arrive with the mystery gift, repeat. When they complain that it will go off and be a waste of their money, say yes, that’s why I told you many times not to bring it. It’s their responsibility, not yours.

67eleven · 18/12/2025 22:26

We got told one year to "keep a shelf free" for a badly butchered ox tongue (shudder)

DisappointedD · 18/12/2025 22:26

No advice but place marking to find out what they are bringing!

PfizerFan · 18/12/2025 22:26

DallazMajor · 18/12/2025 20:25

Is it Mounjaro ?

😂

JumpingJiminy · 18/12/2025 22:23

DallazMajor · 18/12/2025 20:25

Is it Mounjaro ?

😂😂😂😂

FollowSpot · 18/12/2025 22:22

The mind boggles.

A Rudolph statue carved in Red Leicester? A hibernating tortoise?

Whatever it is I would just tell them categorically that there is no space in the fridge.

Backhometothenorth · 18/12/2025 22:20

Outside is best at the moment as it’s a better temperature than the fridge for cheese etc!

MissDoubleU · 18/12/2025 22:18

Garage or shed will keep pretty cold I guess! You’ve explained there won’t be much space. They can’t expect you to not have a full fridge over Christmas. It’s bloody Christmas!

Original poster
ScottyandWestie · 18/12/2025 22:08

I will update with what turns up. I have asked my son to give me some clues when he does the pick up and a better idea of the size. Everyone knows fridge space is sacred in the run up to Christmas.

OP posts:
Lamentingalways · 18/12/2025 22:05

Put it in a cardboard box with ice packs in your garage or shed. It’s forecast 8/9 degrees over the weekend, should be fine. Very weird behaviour though! Please do update when you know what it is. I would just eat it really quickly if it’s food 😂 get everyone else on board for having a slice so it’s a team effort.

ButWhysTheRumGone · 18/12/2025 22:05

I’ve had cheese bought for me and have bought cheese for people too but not two shelves worth! A packet or two, yes. Some people have no common sense.

RessicaJabbit · 18/12/2025 22:04

If it's cheese, it will be fine outside in a box of some sort, it's cold here!

Maray1967 · 18/12/2025 22:01

I’m dealing with similar, but much smaller, a third of a shelf. In our case it’s cheese. There’s no way we could accommodate something that takes up two shelves!!

CauliflowerCheese00 · 18/12/2025 22:00

DP bought his brother a box of cheese for Christmas that have been taking up half a shelf in our fridge for the past two weeks - and that was unacceptable in my opinion 😅 thankfully he’s dropping them off this weekend!!
Two whole shelves on actual Christmas week is simply impossible.

CranberryCandyCane · 18/12/2025 21:55

My guess is also cheese. Voted YANBU but as inconvenient as it is, be grateful they told you. Our relative didn’t so the present went under the tree, close to the radiator. The smell on Christmas morning was horrendous! 🤢

Neodymium · 18/12/2025 21:49

I would send the photo of the fridge and just say sorry there is not going to be space. I suggest you bring a bar fridge to plug in or a camping fridge.

Incelebration · 18/12/2025 21:45

This reminds me of when my aunt wanted me to cart a large bottle of beer the length of the country by public transport for my brother's Christmas present. Completely thoughtless.

B1anche · 18/12/2025 21:40

Please update us when you find out what it is. I'm invested in this now.

naemates · 18/12/2025 21:32

ScottyandWestie · 18/12/2025 21:09

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.

Have the neighbour as a back up plan and you can choose to reveal it based on whether or not you want whatever it is when it arrives

HarryVanderspeigle · 18/12/2025 21:31

I wouldn't have that much spare fridge room on a normal day, let alone the week of Christmas! Cool box outside seems to be a good compromise.

awrbc81 · 18/12/2025 21:27

Omg absolute nightmare! Any chance you can borrow a mini fridge from somewhere and have it in the shed?

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 18/12/2025 21:15

I imagine it's cheese

AffableApple · 18/12/2025 21:15

It's something tall and they actually aren't sure if a second shelf needs to be removed. Utter twats. Tell them no. Lovely idea if they bring another fridge. It isn't going in yours, end of.

PoppysAunt · 18/12/2025 21:13

A whole salmon and 2 dozen pigs in blankets.

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