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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:
lljkk · 19/12/2025 16:11

If the items are ok to be in transit (possibly inside a warm car?) for 3 hours, they can probably be stored in an unheated space somewhere until time to consume, like a shed or garage etc.

Just need to keep the bundle free from attracting vermin.

Usernamenotav · 19/12/2025 16:10

How can they be adamant that they need to use space in a fridge that doesn't exist?
No is a full sentence

Horsemadlady1234 · 19/12/2025 16:03

Simply say your fridge is full already, but you’re welcome to put them in a box in the shed otherwise we are unable to accommodate them. Then don’t go in any further discussion and make sure your fridge is full.

Astra53 · 19/12/2025 15:57

DallazMajor · 18/12/2025 20:25

Is it Mounjaro ?

😂

racoonsinbins · 19/12/2025 15:54

Well I suppose at least they told you. Years ago my late MiL came to stay a week before Xmas and we vacated our newly-decorated bedroom for her. When she left there was a funny smell in the room but as her hygiene was very questionable we weren’t surprised. However, even after washing all the bedding and airing the room it just got increasingly strong and unpleasant. We were seriously thinking about getting rid of the mattress when one of us thought to check the Christmas present for us she had left next to the radiator. It was a selection of cheeses.

FcukBreastCancer · 19/12/2025 15:20

Maybe it's a ginormous champagne. In which case I can definitely help if you want to send it my way 😁

Silverbirchleaf · 19/12/2025 15:12

I’m wondering if it will take up two separate shelves, or whether it’s quite tall, so you need to take one shelf out?

Grammarninja · 19/12/2025 15:09

WiddlinDiddlin · 19/12/2025 15:07

ooooh no... nonono..

The sort of person who will haul half a deer and a brace of salmon plus dramatic ice sculpture and demand two shelves of your groaning, creaking, bulging fridge..

Is absolutely the sort of person who would merrily decant the contents of two shelves of the fridge out onto the worktops, stuff their goodies in there and then walk off and say precisely fuck all about the problem they have created!

Then shrug at you when you notice, and ask where the fuck you're meant to put the cream, the butter, the cheese, the brandy butter, the pigs in blankets etc, as if you should have an extra fridge and the fact you do not have a commercial walk in fridge is very much your fucking problem.

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🤣🤣🤣

WiddlinDiddlin · 19/12/2025 15:07

Grammarninja · 19/12/2025 14:59

You've told them the situation, they haven't listened. When they arrive, point them in the direction of the fridge and let them figure it out for themselves. Within minutes, I can only imagine, they'll be asking you about your shed. This is for them to figure out.

ooooh no... nonono..

The sort of person who will haul half a deer and a brace of salmon plus dramatic ice sculpture and demand two shelves of your groaning, creaking, bulging fridge..

Is absolutely the sort of person who would merrily decant the contents of two shelves of the fridge out onto the worktops, stuff their goodies in there and then walk off and say precisely fuck all about the problem they have created!

Then shrug at you when you notice, and ask where the fuck you're meant to put the cream, the butter, the cheese, the brandy butter, the pigs in blankets etc, as if you should have an extra fridge and the fact you do not have a commercial walk in fridge is very much your fucking problem.

Grammarninja · 19/12/2025 14:59

You've told them the situation, they haven't listened. When they arrive, point them in the direction of the fridge and let them figure it out for themselves. Within minutes, I can only imagine, they'll be asking you about your shed. This is for them to figure out.

CautiousLurker2 · 19/12/2025 14:57

Wondering whether it’s products from Lush? Some of those have to be kept refrigerated, don’t they?

Frannyisreading · 19/12/2025 14:49

I don't think it's even a gift. I think it's the leftovers from relative's own fridge which they don't want to go to waste over Christmas. Lots of little tupperware boxes full of things like 2 sausages, half a lettuce, a few boiled potatoes.

Bjorkdidit · 19/12/2025 14:42

Those things are kept at room temperature in shops, bars and homes in Spain, all year round.

Therefore they do not need refrigeration in the UK in winter so it can't be a jamon leg.

ReluctantCustomer · 19/12/2025 14:38

I also think it’s a jamon, with a stand.

Changename12 · 19/12/2025 14:20

I would simply say ‘No my fridge will be full with all the Christmas food.’
I have a spare fridge in the garage and I would still be upset at this request. If I take something that needs to be kept cold (like a desert) to someone else’s house, I always keep it in a cool bag/box with lots of very large ice blocks. It does work to keep it cool.

SpinningaCompass · 19/12/2025 14:03

Garage or shed. Stand firm.

Silverbirchleaf · 19/12/2025 14:00

OVienna · 19/12/2025 13:36

I don't understand how they can be travelling to yours for three hours, not in a car so presumably no refrigeration/cold box available for the item, but when they get to yours whatever they are schlepping needs to take up two shelves in your fridge? Surely it will be on the turn then anyway?

"I'm so sorry I can't be more helpful, especially on short notice, but as you can imagine we need the fridge space ourselves for all the people we're hosting."

Then grey rock.

Good point.

godmum56 · 19/12/2025 13:49

TheAutumnCrow · 19/12/2025 13:32

Normal?? Oh shit. We bought one once from Asda and it was mouldy, so we cut the mould off and let the foxes take the rest.

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well I think you did the right thing!

MrsMitford3 · 19/12/2025 13:47

We are already fulll to the brim and about to activate our "outdoor fridge" which is a cool bag for veg and a big metal ice bucket/bowl full of ice and all the fizz and wine moves outside on the table.

Two shelves free 😂

I need to know what it is and who is the proud bearer ( my money on MIL)

OVienna · 19/12/2025 13:36

I don't understand how they can be travelling to yours for three hours, not in a car so presumably no refrigeration/cold box available for the item, but when they get to yours whatever they are schlepping needs to take up two shelves in your fridge? Surely it will be on the turn then anyway?

"I'm so sorry I can't be more helpful, especially on short notice, but as you can imagine we need the fridge space ourselves for all the people we're hosting."

Then grey rock.

Hankunamatata · 19/12/2025 13:36

Cool box in shed is fine. Wack bag of ice in and keep rotating fresh freezer blocks in.

TheAutumnCrow · 19/12/2025 13:32

godmum56 · 19/12/2025 11:41

a lidl one? I thought about it but read the instructions and put it back on the shelf when i read the bit that says "there may be some mould on the outside of the ham, this is normal, just slice it off"

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Normal?? Oh shit. We bought one once from Asda and it was mouldy, so we cut the mould off and let the foxes take the rest.

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/12/2025 13:23

TheAutumnCrow · 19/12/2025 12:38

I know, @Blondeshavemorefun, but there’s a lovely stable out the back, and a great security light doth shone around. Smile

(What you doing up at crazy o’clock anyway? I think you were getting up just as I was finally getting to sleep!)

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I was working last night so awake silly o clock

katepilar · 19/12/2025 13:21

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.

Did you tell them in plain language like No, there isnt space in the fridge for your stuff.

TeapotCollection · 19/12/2025 13:06

Barry Two-Shelves needs to be made into a Christmas film

EastEnders spinoff, main character Shaun Williamson