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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
LouH1981 · 18/12/2025 21:12

It could be a hamper with cheese or a cream tea type gift and could be really lovely and thoughtful. However, yes, rubbish timing when your fridge will probably already be jam packed 🙈
A cool box would work I imagine.

travelforthesoul · 18/12/2025 21:10

DallazMajor · 18/12/2025 20:25

Is it Mounjaro ?

oh that made me laugh out loud. Id love that as a gift, especially two shelves worth! 😂

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
SlowSloths · 18/12/2025 21:08

My fridge only has 3 shelves! What on earth have they bought?

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 18/12/2025 21:08

Delia always says the boot of a car is as cold as a fridge. Or tell them to buy a cool box.

WhineAndWine1 · 18/12/2025 21:07

Just tell them no ffs.

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 18/12/2025 21:07

DallazMajor · 18/12/2025 20:25

Is it Mounjaro ?

You win the internet today! Brilliant.

Dliplop · 18/12/2025 21:07

Are they very young and have never hosted?

put it in the shed and decide how much you want to help with giving ice packs etc. we are hosting and will have things stored outside.

lifeisgoodrightnow · 18/12/2025 21:06

Tell them to bring a fridge and you’ll plug it in in their room

Tammygirl12 · 18/12/2025 21:06

Cheese I reckon

TheSmallAssassin · 18/12/2025 21:04

Grumpynan · 18/12/2025 20:59

cou you not use a couple of picnic/chill bags reusing the freezer blocks alternating twice a day. I keep a lot of chilled stuff like that over Christmas

Don't you mean couldn't they use some chill bags and alternate the freezer blocks?

Grumpynan · 18/12/2025 20:59

cou you not use a couple of picnic/chill bags reusing the freezer blocks alternating twice a day. I keep a lot of chilled stuff like that over Christmas

Topjoe19 · 18/12/2025 20:58

This would annoy me no end! What on earth needs 2 fridge shelves

user1471538275 · 18/12/2025 20:55

How far away are they coming from?

Can they leave it in their fridge and go and get it at a later date?

How are they transporting it?

godmum56 · 18/12/2025 20:45

That's just stupid and thoughtless. What part of "THERE WILL NOT BE SPACE" do they not understand?

Original poster
ScottyandWestie · 18/12/2025 20:38

Good idea about taking a photo. They are not listening so maybe a visual will help them understand. My big shop is tomorrow for Saturdays gathering, then another on Tuesday for the Christmas gatherings. I will send a photo tomorrow once the fridge is at capacity and suggest the shed a cool box again.

OP posts:
Pallisers · 18/12/2025 20:34

I would simply say No my fridge is full so that won't work. Stupid idea for a present.

My sil once arrived to stay for Thanksgiving with the contents of her fridge in little tupperware boxes. I was catering for 20 and my fridge was completely full. Ridiculous.

verycloakanddaggers · 18/12/2025 20:34

ScottyandWestie · 18/12/2025 20:21

They seem excited for these items - we are getting together with extended family Saturday but the gifts are for Christmas Day. I can’t imagine what it is to be honest, but the description is bulky. Part of me wants to say don’t bring them, but then I’m the one that will be blamed for spoiling their surprise for others.

Just tell them there is no space in the fridge because it is CHRISTMAS. Tell them they can put it in a plastic box in the shed or buy a fridge or buy a coolbox.

SweetHydrangea · 18/12/2025 20:31

ScottyandWestie · 18/12/2025 20:21

They seem excited for these items - we are getting together with extended family Saturday but the gifts are for Christmas Day. I can’t imagine what it is to be honest, but the description is bulky. Part of me wants to say don’t bring them, but then I’m the one that will be blamed for spoiling their surprise for others.

It’s probably cheesecakes/proftieroles etc as they are quite bulky. I can’t imagine anything else would take up 2 shelves of a fridge. How big do they think your fridge is?! 😫

Getdne · 18/12/2025 20:28

Unbelievable.
Tell them bring a fridge/electric cold box as your fridge is full.
I would be full on allergic before they have even arrived.

saveforthat · 18/12/2025 20:27

It's probably cheese. Yes it's ridiculous to expect that much fridge space at Christmas.

TheCosyViewer · 18/12/2025 20:26

I think you need to message them, so it’s in writing, and state quite clearly that you have absolutely no spare capacity in your fridge, let alone two shelves free. That they will have to store these gifts in your shed as you simply can off no-where else.

Be Prepared for them to rummage through your fridge on arrival asking you move stuff around/remove items from the fridge so they can have the space.

SunnySideDeepDown · 18/12/2025 20:25

Have you asked them if it’s something that can be consumed Saturday/Sunday?

My guess is it’s a special cake?

DallazMajor · 18/12/2025 20:25

Is it Mounjaro ?

gamerchick · 18/12/2025 20:25

Take a picture of the inside of your fridge and send them it.

Tell them, if they want to bring stuff that needs a fridge then it'll have to go outside as there's no room.

Then let them crack on.