Disgusted by inability to delay gratification

[KeepYourHandsOutOfTheFridge]

We get the usual "special" foods for Christmas. Most of them (chocs, cake, etc) are put away upstairs, but the collection of posh cheeses are in the fridge.

I've just found out DH has eaten a big chunk of one cheese, and drunk one of his bottles of expensive drink. He says he'll go and buy replacements. I have said that is not the point.
These are expensive treats for us.
In my family, Christmas didn't start until Christmas day. DH and I discussed this, and agreed a compromise this year that we would start eating the nice stuff on Christmas Eve for a change (just us two in the eve, big family meal on the day itself).

I am disgusted - this shows a total lack of self control and ability to delay gratification - he is like a five-year-old with no self control. He is just destroying the sense of anticipation and looking forward to sharing the treats together.

Would this give you the rage?

I'm all for delayed gratification, we save for big purchases etc. But it is some cheese! You sound so OTT that I feel bad for your DH.

Agree with this 👍🎅

I’d be interested to hear what “properly brought up” means?

I've been eating Christmas food since the 18th 😫

Neither one of us would tell the other person what they can and can't eat and drink and when. I would be slightly annoyed and probably say, oh I was saving that for Christmas day. But that would be the extent of it. Likewise, if I ate something then it really isn't up to my partner to decide if it was OK. Even if I bought it specifically for me, then I would be annoyed for maybe 5 minutes. So for me you are being unreasonable in this scenario. Also putting food away upstairs is also strange, why do you have to put it away upstairs? The only time it would be unreasonable would be if we were hosting and it was items that were for the specific spread we had planned and not easily replaced, that would warrant a request to go and source the item asap.

Your 'disgust' is way over the top and you sound extremely controlling. I wouldn't ever dictate to any adult what they can and can't eat - and when. Don't you have any self-control?

I'd leave you to your food and not eat with you at all.

If you leave all the 'treat' food until Xmas day you just end up with a mountain of stuff still to get through from Boxing Day onwards. No-one can eat all of the Xmas food in one day.

But your argument falls down as you just keep saying "Christmas" when this thread shows there are multiple definitions of when that starts and ends. For me it starts today, purely as thats when I finish work yet for others it might be tomorrow or last Friday when the majority of schools broke up. There isn't a right and wrong to this, it's more about OP not understanding/accepting this.

I recall reading something years ago about learning delayed gratification being a key life skill and indicator of success. People who can't do it, who spend now instead of saving for later, have worse outcomes overall
OP that’s been disproved. Delay only works if you are assured it will be there. Those in poverty are right to choose instant gratification - something may never exist again in the future.

My season is the same as yours. We break open the snacks on Christmas Day and at some point in January decide its’s finally time to stop replenishing the cheese and crackers.

That’s a good couple of weeks of indulgence. If we started before, it would cost double the amount and we’d all be huge!

I hope not. It definitely doesn't warrant it.

I grew up in an extremely devout Catholic household in an extremely Catholic society. Taught by a famously rigorous order of nuns from the age of four to eighteen. I fasted for lent from the age of six, was absolutely taught that life was a vale of tears, and the rewards were in heaven — the ultimate delayed gratification.

But I’m an adult. It’s possible to outgrow unhelpful childhood scripts and eat some Stilton slightly early without thinking the whole world’s going to hell in a handcart.

@KeepYourHandsOutOfTheFridge I am disgusted - this shows a total lack of self control and ability to delay gratification - he is like a five-year-old with no self control.

Sod off. Food addiction is a real thing. If you have no understanding of this, then in fact, it is you who is the five year old with no self-control over your aggressive emotions.

I think your going way over the top here

They don't have to eat it in one day. There's a whole week until New Year's Day.

Pretty sure Nigella was properly brought up and on her show this week she was hiding a cocktail shaker in her handbag and stuffing all the christmas goodies in her mouth way ahesd of her 'party"

I've been known to stash things away and forget about them. I once found a big box of Hotel Chocolat chocs, back when you could get a big box if you joined the club, in April, a lovely surprise, I should hoover under the sideboard more often!

No, once it's gone it's gone .

I absolutely will enjoy my Christmas, I always do, and party as much as anyone ... when we get there.
It is not Christmas yet.

Were you dragged up? 😁

I do look down on people who can't delay gratification. Being judgemental and critical is a big failing of mine
if you recognise this as a failing, then work on changing.
What a miserable way to live and think of your DH, life isn't a practice run; you're not here for a long time, you're here for a good time!

My goodness what an overreaction. Surely you can calm down and buy some more cheese tomorrow if not why not just join him and have a slice!

Delayed gratification….and cheese.

YABU, sort yourself out fgs.

Oh yes it is 😉

I was also argue that so much of Christmas is stressful and dictated by tradition- eat this particular thing now, see these relatives in this particular day, open these presents at this time - that some harmless breaking of the ‘rules’ is actually very healthy.