Page 7 | Family member has bought refrigerated gifts

Allywill · 19/12/2025 13:00

At least they have told you. SiL bought us a cheese board one year - all wrapped up. i put it under the tree where it sat in the centrally heated house for nearly a week. it was fizzing when we opened it🤮i had wondered what the farty smell was in living room that seemed to linger but kept blaming family members .

GAJLY · 19/12/2025 12:54

Just repeat that you don't have any space in your fridge, but they're welcome to bring a cool box for it to be stored in the shed. You can't offer them something you don't have.

HeadyLamarr · 19/12/2025 12:46

It can't be cheese, unless they are millionaires.

I have an outrageous quantity of cheese in my fridge right now and even that doesn't take two shelves up.

RobinEllacotStrike · 19/12/2025 12:42

This thread has reminded me I need to sort the fridge out for the weekend & Xmas shops.

Thanks 😐🙄😉😁

TheAutumnCrow · 19/12/2025 12:42

chunkyBoo · 18/12/2025 22:57

Taking up two shelves, more likely Kilimanjaro

Show quote history

Or a Kilo of Mounjaro

rising like Ol’ cheeses above the Sauce for the meat 🎵

TheAutumnCrow · 19/12/2025 12:38

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/12/2025 04:27

Instead of no room at the inn

it’s no room in the fridge

😂😂

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

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

caringcarer · 19/12/2025 12:37

I'd text back and say your fridge will be full to busting so unfortunately they will need to bring a cold box or mini fridge if they insist on refrigerated gifts as you cannot accommodate this request.

beAsensible1 · 19/12/2025 12:32

2 shelves of fridge space is big ask over christmas!

pothos · 19/12/2025 12:31

GoogleAI has told me it’s a 3D printed ice sculpture of the entire extended family and pets, intended as a Christmas centrepiece.

B1anche · 19/12/2025 12:27

Inertia · 19/12/2025 12:18

I’m guessing it’s a father in law making the ridiculous fridge space demands- a MIL would understand the trauma of Christmas fridge jenga.

Barry Two-Shelves can bring a cool box (probably better for something tall anyway).

Barry Two-Shelves

Love it!🤣

ImFineItsAllFine · 19/12/2025 12:26

Inertia · 19/12/2025 12:18

I’m guessing it’s a father in law making the ridiculous fridge space demands- a MIL would understand the trauma of Christmas fridge jenga.

Barry Two-Shelves can bring a cool box (probably better for something tall anyway).

If you can get my MIL to understand, I will love you forever! 😂

HillBetty · 19/12/2025 12:21

Yanbu... they should at least tell you what it is so you can decide / assist in best way or indeed say politely no!

Very intrigued... I hope it doesn't ruin your food x

Inertia · 19/12/2025 12:18

I’m guessing it’s a father in law making the ridiculous fridge space demands- a MIL would understand the trauma of Christmas fridge jenga.

Barry Two-Shelves can bring a cool box (probably better for something tall anyway).

GasPanic · 19/12/2025 12:15

The leftovers of an entire works Christmas buffet.

Complete with partially handled goods with fingerprints, crumbs of unspecified stuff dropped in, half eaten cocktail sausages and stuff that looks like it may well be covered in dried sneeze.

pothos · 19/12/2025 12:11

Daygloboo · 19/12/2025 12:11

Do you think they are bringing a climber who got frozen on Mount Everest and they are going to defrost him.on Christmas Day in front of you all as alternative entertsinment instead of playing Monopoly.

Show quote history

😭🤣

Daygloboo · 19/12/2025 12:11

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?

Do you think they are bringing a climber who got frozen on Mount Everest and they are going to defrost him.on Christmas Day in front of you all as alternative entertsinment instead of playing Monopoly.

IHeartKingThistle · 19/12/2025 11:58

Those ham legs don’t need refrigerating.

I can’t believe how invested I am in this thread LOL.

Thursday5pmisginoclock · 19/12/2025 11:57

Just say can they bring a cool box and you will supply ice blocks and keep rotating them from the freezer. We managed with this for a few weeks when our fridge broke one summer and the milk / cheese etc didn’t spoil if we used them quickly. It’s a workable solution short term if needed.
i’m assuming they have got you a massive cheese board!

BingBongMerrilyWithPie · 19/12/2025 11:52

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 19/12/2025 11:10

Unrelated but a friend once left a mountain of cheese in the boot of our car overnight in France. We'd stopped over to stay in a hotel on the way back and the muppet didn't think to bring it up to his room and chill it.
OMG the stench when we opened the car in the morning and had to have the windows open 6 hours home.

To be honest, I'd bite my lip and ask the neighbours. Don't give her the headspace to ruin your Christmas and hide the keys so there's no chance of letting herself in. Next year, however successful whatever it is, is. Tell her the neighbours are not going away and under no circumstances to repeat it unless the is also buying you a "party fridge" for the shed.

Show quote history

Your cheesy car story is a good reminder not to use the neighbours's fridge if it's anything vaguely smelly. I don't think it will be cheese though, even an ambitious cheese offering wouldn't need a second shelf.

booksnbaking · 19/12/2025 11:51

BackToLurk · 19/12/2025 07:10

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

😂👏

Lurkingonmn · 19/12/2025 11:48

Your guest is being very unreasonable. If I was your neighbour, I'd happily let you use our fridge if we were away over Christmas. I agree with the earlier comment about popping some things in there to allow yourself a breather from this guest cos it sounds like you'll need it. Two shelves?! Ridiculous.

KitWyn · 19/12/2025 11:48

I bet it's a tiered cheese celebration cake!

These are great, and would (selfishly) take up 2 fridge shelves. A cold box in the shed in winter should be fine for storage.

My second guess is a lovingly decorated Christmas cake with specially modelled fondant figures of all the family, including the dogs. Also fine in the shed cool box.

Third it's a couple of unplucked pheasants. Best stored in the composting bin next to the shed.

Do let us know!

Family member has bought refrigerated gifts

purplecorkheart · 19/12/2025 11:44

What a crazy request. I would be hard pushed to give one shelf at anytime but two at Christmas it would be impossible. I doubt your neighbours would have the space to help out either. I think your suggestion of sending a photo of your full fridge is a great idea.

godmum56 · 19/12/2025 11:41

Thefsm · 19/12/2025 11:37

My guess is one of those Parma ham legs with the stand that you cut slices off - those are about two fridge shelves high.

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"

godmum56 · 19/12/2025 11:39

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 19/12/2025 11:10

Unrelated but a friend once left a mountain of cheese in the boot of our car overnight in France. We'd stopped over to stay in a hotel on the way back and the muppet didn't think to bring it up to his room and chill it.
OMG the stench when we opened the car in the morning and had to have the windows open 6 hours home.

To be honest, I'd bite my lip and ask the neighbours. Don't give her the headspace to ruin your Christmas and hide the keys so there's no chance of letting herself in. Next year, however successful whatever it is, is. Tell her the neighbours are not going away and under no circumstances to repeat it unless the is also buying you a "party fridge" for the shed.

Show quote history

I'd just say no.