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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:
Original poster
ScottyandWestie · 21/12/2025 10:07

I already had tons of cheese in, I have a plan for the Brie and considering making some broccoli and Stilton soup as family really like it and it will use loads of it up. Family member is off with sister this afternoon, they need to find wrapping or bows for the “surprise bottles” I’ve told my sis I couldn’t possibly spoil the surprise - she knows it’s booze but I have led her to believe it’s some type of home brew concoction. Family member has form for this - we all got chipotle cranberry chutney couple of years ago - I’m enjoying stirring things up now I know the surprise 😂

OP posts:
SharonEllis · 21/12/2025 09:33

Its a pain it being so warm. You used to be able keep everythi g in the garage or shed and not have to worry about fridge space at all.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 21/12/2025 09:29

A wheel of Stilton!! I called it! #smugface

Those cheeses will be perfectly happy in a cool place, rather than the fridge.

JingsMahBucket · 21/12/2025 08:47

Okay, that’s it. I’m going to bookmark Arran Gold for gifts next year.

SophieJo · 21/12/2025 08:47

Thanks for the update!

Changename12 · 21/12/2025 08:45

I have never had Arran Gold but I have had similar from another distillery we have visited in Scotland.

Sarahw33 · 21/12/2025 08:35

I live Arran gold, it’s a great present. We get one every year. I’ll be disappointed the year we don’t!

rookiemere · 21/12/2025 08:33

On the cheese front, I assume you already have some cheese in. So whilst it’s a lovely idea in theory, it would have been preferable if she told you in advance.
You could make a big thing of it “Ooh these cheeses are marvellous, so much better than what I was able to buy” then “Shall we put you down for cheeses going forward “ which turns it from a pain into a useful task which saves you some money. Speak to her during the year about it “Oh yes we’re really looking forward to your yummy cheeses, they were so amazing last Christmas “ she gets to be the hero and you save some fridge space and money.

Derpytiger · 21/12/2025 08:21

My sil did this last year except it was frozen stuff and we only have one of those tiny 3 drawers freezers. She lives in America with a huge American freezer. She's so generous and the good was top quality but I was despairing when it arrived as it was a surprise and freezer was already full for Christmas plus with our usual frozen stuff.

99bottlesofkombucha · 21/12/2025 08:20

Oooh well they do sound like genuinely decent gifts at least!

MargotMoon · 21/12/2025 08:18

Arran Gold!! 😋

rookiemere · 21/12/2025 08:06

Arran Gold is delicious it’s like Baileys but nicer.However it doesn’t need refrigerated until opened just like Baileys so most of the refrigerator space is unnecessary.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 21/12/2025 07:48

I can just see the manufacturers of Arran Gold scratching their heads over the sudden rise in sales!

DisappointedD · 21/12/2025 07:32

Never heard of Arran Gold but now very tempted to order some! Glad it all worked out.

custardcreme77 · 21/12/2025 06:32

I’ve just ordered an Arran Gold from Amazon to try. A pre-Christmas treat to myself.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas OP xx

Silverbirchleaf · 21/12/2025 06:04

Are the cheeses presents for you, the gist? If so, presume you already have a cheese platter so they’re duplicates?

Off to google ash-covered goats cheese and Arran drink.

FreeTheOakTree · 21/12/2025 05:57

I am sitting in an airport on my way to spend our first Christmas back home, in the UK, since before the pandemic.

I had never heard of Arrans gold, so it is my first purchase once I arrive!

Cheers for that OP!

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 21/12/2025 04:57

The cheeses don't need to be refrigerated, just kept cool. Lovely gifts, actually, just also annoying! Merry Christmas!

Trallers · 21/12/2025 02:10

Phew, those are lovely thoughtful gifts. But the secrecy and demandingness of it - so over the top and draining!

Blondeshavemorefun · 21/12/2025 01:00

Baileys /arrans gold doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge tho?

goats cheese is yummy

obv it was a hardship to eat the profits 😂.

bless your aunty

SlowSloths · 21/12/2025 00:19

@ScottyandWestie oh I love Arran Gold. I prefer it to Baileys.

Original poster
ScottyandWestie · 21/12/2025 00:16

Such a long day, only just sat down. Gifts are bottles of something called Arran gold I’m assuming it’s Baileys like - for some family memebers who went on a Whisky holiday earlier this year. They’ve got one each - they are in the shed in the new “outdoor fridge”. Also a large wheel of Stilton, a Brie and an ash covered goats cheese, that someone expressed a liking for once? these are in the fridge. A large profiterole dessert came too but I persuaded it to be eaten this evening. So that’s gone and then there’s some blocks of fresh yeast which are tiny for a family member that likes to bake, also in the fridge. I am almost disappointed it wasn’t a tortoise hibernating 😂

OP posts:
Acg1991 · 20/12/2025 23:04

Don't leave us all in suspense! What is the mysterious, must be refrigerated present?

Curly66 · 20/12/2025 21:01

JoshLymanSwagger · 20/12/2025 18:47

@ScottyandWestie
You really will need a bigger wheelie bin this year...

One year my Uncle won a frozen turkey in a raffle.

He sawed it in half (clamping it on his work bench - he used a new blade?!) and delivered literally half a solid Bejam turkey and half it's still frozen giblets still wrapped in plastic for us (Dad, mum n me) on Christmas Eve.🤢

It was the first year I didn't eat any turkey...I don't think my Dad did either.

I really hope she's gone OTT on alcohol as a gift.
🙏🏻🥂

Brilliant!! 🦃

AlwaysRightISwear · 20/12/2025 19:43

Have they and the unwanted gift arrived yet?