Will everyone please STOP the extremely tone deaf 'Christmas Fridge' threads

[TempNameForObviousReasons]

I see these multiple threads every single year and they drive me bonkers. The four days leading up to Christmas Day my feed is inundated with all the stuffed fridges, it's a complete and utter disgrace. Not just a few posters but sometimes literally hundreds of you all joining in with these enormous overflowing fridges, it's barbaric and in incredibly poor taste. I have already seen THREE seperate fridge threads today alone, it's scandalous... please people just think about what you are doing by jumping on this bandwagon. Now I take this a bit personally and here is why.... There are people in this world who are starving and many families, mine included, are having to rely on food banks this year just to keep our children fed. As in dippy eggs and soldiers on Xmas eve. Many of us are in a dire state with finances and the pressures of Xmas. The fridge threads are incredibly upsetting and triggering. By all means have a nice christmas dinner with all the trimmings but why post it and rub it in the faces of those less fortunate? They will be very lucky to scrape together a very basic dinner for the family this year?

I so look forward to seeing everybody's gluttonous greed in full swing, fridges stuffed full of obscene amounts of food and alcohol that will most likely go to waste. (And waistlines. The greed of Christmas it's all totally out of control and I despair)
All the cheese boards, cheesecakes, cheeselets, and on and on and on.
Honestly I wish MNHQ would BAN the threads, they cause many people anguish and distress.
It is one day so please keep some perspective or even better, pop a selection pack or some small treats in a collection trolley to help all the fantastic homeless charities and food banks ensure more people can enjoy a sweet treat on christmas day.

(Thanks to my local foodbank and those who kindly donated, at least me and my children have a lovely box of celebrations that I will bring out on Christmas Day for us) 🙂

same with me in the context of a tight budget but thanks to yellow labels and reduced etc its gave some nice foods.

And that’s about as true as her claim that she was being insulted on one of them.

I use active all the time and none of those threads came up, let alone 3.

Plus she’s not forced to read them anyway.

Have a day off love. Nobody is making you look at these threads. You can also hide them on the active part.

It isn't easy having a hard time but comparison is the thief of joy. Least you have a roof over your head eh and running clean water unlike some people around the world. You have clothes and a warm bed? Still got it better than most!
Nothing bloody wrong with toast and dippy eggs, that's a luxury compared to some.

Do you think some countries even have food banks? Your level of poverty is nothing compared to some third world countries.

Not nice is it? Check yourself!

People can do what they want.

YABU

You seem to have done your fair share of insulting, if you don't like don't link like a normal person would do...

In other threads you’re quite horrible about SEND children, people on benefits, people feeling anxious, people with ADHD. Oh and you call people that care about things “bleeding hearts”.

So perhaps climb down for your high horse?

But to know that you must be going into the thread and reading it? Why are you clicking on and reading something that you know will make you upset? Take some accountability.

Wow.

How can you assume gluttony and overconsumption?

Do you know these people personally? Do you know how many people the food will feed or for how many days?

I am sorry you are feeling upset but you have been really insulting and rude about people - calling people who are just trying to feel some festive joy fat greedy gluttons is far crueler than any of the replies you have had.

I genuinely thought the OP was taking the piss from the drama level of her post

Anyway I'm glad you've learned to hide threads OP, and I hope that things get letter in 2026 for you.

Feeling a bit miffed the famous fat fridge posts don't pop up on my MN feed..

I look forward to the Christmas fridge post every Christmas Eve now , it’s a tradition to me now 😅🎄

Bloody hell.

That’s quite the Big Reveal. How deeply unpleasant those posts sound.

I haven’t seen any. It does seem odd that adults are jumping on trends like this. People are very strange. I’d never advertise for a brand free of charge - supermarkets don’t have to do shit anymore as people will jump on social media and do all the free work for them. I no longer buy loads of food for Christmas as we used to have far too much of it left over and I don’t want to be eating sweets and chocolate etc through to Feb.

If you have a freezer, there’s quite a lot already reduced in some shops. I went to Aldi today and there was loads. Our M&S has also massively reduced a lot of its gifts, I would never normally buy from there but managed to pick up a nice handwash/cream gift set for £3 reduced from £10, for example.

I really sympathise OP, we were in a similar position many years ago. It grinds you down. While those threads can make things feel a lot worse, they’re not personal. Your best bet is to hide them. Tbh, I always just felt glad for people that can afford it that they are comfortable and can get pleasure out of it, why shouldn’t they? There is nothing morally wrong with enjoying lots of lovely food and drink at Christmas. I think the tone of your post has got people’s backs up, and I can understand why, while also understanding why you feel so upset.

I wouldn’t personally post bulging fridge threads, and I couldn’t anyway because I now have a deeply ingrained fear of overspending (and find the amount of choice available overwhelming, like a rabbit in headlights) so no bulging fridge here. But it’s within talk guidelines and there’s a facility to hide the posts so that users can not see things that upset them.

Not every thread on Mumsnet will be right for every demographic, there’s a whole spectrum here. But you’ll find plenty of posters here who understand and can offer support/advice or even just sympathy (if that’s what you need) if you ask for it. I remember one particularly dire year (different username back then) when I was on the absolute bones of my arse and posted for advice on how to make it a good Christmas for my DC on next to nothing. I got so many kind replies and enjoyed many of the suggestions so much that they have become permanent parts of our Christmas traditions, and I feel thankful to the kind mumsnetters from several christmases ago every time I do them. I really hope things get easier for you OP, and everyone else who is struggling this Xmas 🎄

Clearly bitter about their life but wants us to have empathy for them, whilst having none for others.

Feeling a bit miffed the famous fat fridge posts don't pop up on my MN feed..

Oh god. One popped up in my actives earlier, I scrolled past. Wondering why it wasn't for everyone now?! 😊 I've now also clicked on the 3 threads shared above.

Maybe the algorithm for me will turn this into (and I do respect the share for those interested) Fat fridges for life! And I am ever doomed to scroll past the fridge threads.

In the same way I avoid titles around other things which may affect me negatively. And they are as serious as being able to feed your family, but I I will not derail.

I've also relied on Xmas by hanging around shops on Xmas eve for reductions and got my DC early gifts entirely for FREE by getting people's early Nov clear out old toys ready for Xmas on free giving sites

Life will be very hard living with such a mentality and many people doing it will have donated to Their local food banks anyway .

Don't go on MN if such things upset you.
I've been on throughout our circumstances.

I don't think I'd be joining in with posting about what's in my fridge, but also, as much as I empathise with your situation OP, this is the internet and if these threads are triggering, don't click on them or log off. Or start a thread yourself for those struggling financially at Christmas so you only have to interact with others in a similar situation.

You can't police what people post about, unfortunately.

There’s a way to raise awareness without coming across as bitter and cross. A small reminder that people could donate 5% of the value of their shop, etc… I work bloody hard and none of our food goes to waste with leftovers being eaten or frozen, if I want a full fridge, I will have one. I donate to the food bank, support numerous charities and don’t waste my food. I would love to see peoples fridges on a random Tuesday, I just love to know what others buy and what they experience

@JacquesHarlow I have an American style fridge freezer and a dozen people eating at my house this Christmas. I know how ridiculously fortunate I am to have chosen a career which is stable and has allowed me to make a lot of money.
WHYYYY would I then feel the need to post a pic of this so strangers can go “aw wow Jacques that puts me to shame!” etc…

Did you post this with a straight face? You complain about people bragging and in the same breath brag about having an American fridge freezer and how you make a lot of money! Hilarious! Telling others off for doing exactly what you are doing, bragging to a bunch of strangers on the internet 😂😂😂

Barbaric and scandalous is quite the hyperbole!

I've got a suspicion that I actually started the whole Christmas Fridge thing about 15 years ago.

And lots of people who do 'Christmas Fridge' aren't swimming in cash, but feel satisfied and happy that they've been able to stock and stuff the Fridge for their family at Christmas.

So don't be such a sanctimonious tool.

Don't like, don't look. Of all the things in all the world, Christmas fridge is so benign, and brings a bit of joy.

I donate and volunteer at the food bank. It's not one or'tother.

Anyhoo.

I like Christmas fridge.

Long may it continue.

(Mainly just so I can judge poor fridge admin, but as we've established, I'm a twat).

@TempNameForObviousReasons I think all you've achieved is signposting what sounds like a bloody marvellous, festive 'guilty pleasure' rabbit hole to indulge in before the big day. Many thanks.

Ya!

Whoa, I see you, divvy...

Op, you're being a little melodramatic. I haven't seen any of those threads.

I bought the ingredients for our xmas lunch today. It cost £3.95 (large chicken) 45p bag of stuffing, 8p Sprouts, 8p parsnips, 99p bag of onions, £1.20 potatoes, £1.99 Sausages in bacon. 8p for a stock cube. That's £8.82 for four people or £2.20 per head.

Mince pies and cream, another £1.73. A box of After Eights would be another £2.50. So I can serve a xmas lunch few would reject, for £3.27 per head.

If others choose to spend a small fortune on turkey crowns, alcohol and panattone, that is their choice. As a single mum I work to a budget, always, but I don't see why others should have to be bleak. You could choose not to read those threads. As for excess, speak for yourself. I waste nothing. Everything is cooked and frozen.

Those I do feel sorry for are families living in one room without the means to cook. In a decent society, that is totally unacceptable.

Quite!