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?

“Everyone knows fridge space is sacred in the run up to Christmas.”

OP, absolutely this! I can’t believe that someone thinks it would be acceptable to take up two shelves of fridge space! I have a fridge with three freezer drawers and a separate little fridge, and I wouldn’t be able to sacrifice two shelves to an annoying guest! If this friend is so adamant that the presents need to be refrigerated, tell them they need to buy a beer fridge to accommodate them. And reiterate that there’s NO WAY they’re using your fridge space. Frankly, the whole business of arriving stupidly early and coming with your DS (there are things called trains - they don’t have to come by car) makes them sound like an utter PITA.

Placemarking. A whole Stilton and a profiterole tower are my guesses. Tell them they will have to bring a cool box or a mini fridge. How odd to expect two free fridge shelves at Christmas! Perhaps the person doesn’t understand hosting?

My guess is a 3D ice sculpture of the extended family and pets to use as a centre piece. Only OP isn’t featured as CF finds her ‘difficult’.

Tell them, if they want to bring stuff that needs a fridge then it'll have to go outside as there's no room.

I've just had to buy a fancy cooler that keeps ice frozen for three days to cope with guests for Christmas. If one of them said keep two fridge shelves for my present I'd sent them a link to another cooler and tell them to buy one for their 'present/passive aggressive power play'.

Use the neighbours fridge. Honestly sounds like a perfect solution- sounds like you have a good relationship with them.

My mother would have had a fit if I showed up with gifts needing 2 shelves in her fridge until Christmas. Who even does this? Entirely clueless to think someone (especially someone having people to stay / hosting) would have that kind of space available.

I’m guess cheese or a charcuterie platter of some sort also

I agree with above post. However lovely, how thoughtless. If it is a food item, surely it’s duplication of what you’ve already brought. Also, you’ve already planned your meals, so when is this supposed to be eaten. I’d be cross if food I’d purchased went to waste because of this.

Or a whole pig. At least they can take the blanket upstairs.

It will be cheese I reckon, I’ve ordered a fancy cheese hamper for one set of my family - but although im taking it to another family member’s house on the big day I fully plan to say to them to pop it the garage or their car after opening - it’s winter in the uk it’s plenty cold enough there. Just pack your fridge solid and repeat that they are welcome to store it outside.

Why are you being difficult and creating drama? Just ask the neighbours as you have their key then its sorted.

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

Do send the picture.

Is it cold enough that they can sit in a plastic box outside?

Please do update what they are.

😂😂

This is exactly what I would do 👍 I genuinely can't believe anyone would be so presumptuous to think someone will have 2 empty fridge shelves this time of year, and it would massively annoy me.

If they kick up a fuss you say calmly I don’t understand what you thought I’d do- cancel the Christmas turkey and ham because you were binging a ‘surprise’?

I don't think its the OP being difficult or creating drama! I'd say that's on the presuming relatives. Neighbours have left the key for OP to keep an eye and do bins etc. Who says they'll be happy about OP potentially trailing her relatives into their house with their chilled offerings?

This does seem very short sighted on their part. I'm very interested to hear what they are. 2 shelves is huge at Christmas. My fridge only has 4!

Yes agreed. I understand that the person is a massive pain and who brings large refrigerated goods to a christmas host, but there’s an easy solution which costs nothing and solves the problem. I think dislike of the individual is clouding the issue.

If it's someone obtuse enough not to understand that a fridge is most likely going to be full before a large gathering, my bet is that they are also thick enough to buy some 'impressive' food item that has already been thought of and catered for.

I’d be hyperventilating if I had to clear 2 shelves at Christmas time!

'LET THERE BE SPACE'

Cheese doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

They have already decided. The deciding has been done.

They are about three hours journey away so no chance sadly of popping back for it. They are here earlier than everyone else as they don’t drive, my son is collecting them on his way here. My neighbours are on holiday for Christmas and we have their keys and are turning lights on and doing their bins. I might text and explain and ask if they’d mind - but I really don’t want to. We always accommodate this family member and I’m pretty fed up of it.

Perhaps they’ve never hosted and dont fully appreciate the delicate balancing act of getting everything into the fridge for Christmas?

Lots of things go into our other fridge at Christmas, ie opening the back door and putting the wine and beer outside.

Using the neighbours fridge does sound sensible though. I will be doing exactly the same thing with a relatives.