Family member has bought refrigerated gifts

[ScottyandWestie]

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?

I've just been reading the thread about the Royals and Blood Sports. Maybe you are getting some pheasants or the hind quarter of a deer following the local Shoot!

Don't you hang stuff like that up in a store to tenderise it ?

I don't think people put game in fridges. Although being a peasant mostly townie I have little experience of how to handle the stuff.

This can only be a man. I cant imagine any woman not ‘getting’ this.

I reckon smoked salmon and cheese.

You mention you’re always accommodating this relative so perhaps a New Year resolution would be to be less accommodating.

Cheese should not be in a fridge. The shed will do nicely.

Whenever we have been gifted game it has always been refrigerated. I guess it depends at what point in the process it is.

My bet is something tall, like a croquembouche (pretty sure I’ve spelt that wrong). One shelf for the base, and possibly removing the second shelf for the height.

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

It’s just so easy to ask your hosts, well in advance: “What would you like me to bring as a gift to lighten the load of your work/expense and will suit your Christmas plans for a house-full?"

I'd just say no.

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"

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.

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!

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.

😂👏

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.

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!

Those ham legs don’t need refrigerating.

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

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.

😭🤣

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.

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).

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

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

Barry Two-Shelves

Love it!🤣

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