Can I get by with one fridge freezer?!

[Bodenbabe]

We are having a LOT of people for Chrsitmas Day and Boxing Day. I'll be cooking several meals and trying to get a lot cooked ahead and in the freezer. There will obviously be loads that needs to go in the fridge, too and I can't see how there will be room for it all, espeuically once you factor in needing to keep drinks chilled (would they freeze and the borttles crack if I left them outside?)

So do people who cook in advance and have large families to feed manage ok on one standard-sized fridge freezer or is it a real struggle? I'm wondering whether to try and pick up a cheap 2nd-hand one. We won't have any cold rooms in the house as every one will be used for someone to sleep in.

we are having eleven to feed for xmas day lunch and a few more for tea/drinks.

we are filling one shelf in our fridge with various cans of lager/bitter/cider and a couple of bottles of wine. The rest is going outside in the back yard on the morning. I am keeping my turkey in my mother's freezer and then cooking over xmas day.

i am buying my veggies a couple of days before and they will have to go in a cupboard.

most people wont want tea xmas day night so i plan on just doing things like sausage rolls, crisps, sandwiches from the left over turkey, fairy cakes,

i think if your freezer is pretty empty you shoudl manage, failing which can you not ask someone to keep it in theirs and bring it with them on the day they come to yours, by the time everyone has got settled and sorted out the food will be cooked?

Have you got a garage? if so beer, wine, soft drinks etc would be OK kept in there. We have also used cool bags with food in overnight in the garage when short of space (also for items that need to defrost). If you buy another fridge, even a 2nd hand one, you'll spend the rest of the year being annoyed by the space it is taking up ( well I know I would anyway)

I would leave booze outside if it gets cold enough and won't get nicked

We have a second larder fridge which is very handy

Oooh now that's a good idea about asking people to store in their freezer and bring with them! It's things like bread and frozen desserts which take up room in the freezer but I guess you're right about having it empty fist, DLI. I will keep drinks outside then, if the bottles don't crack. We don't have a garage but we do have a shed - I guess I could clear that out.

Watch out for mice in the shed - buy some big plastic storage boxes for veg. etc.

Boot of the car is another good place if you are not planning on driving anywhere.

Boot of car - of course! Why can't I think of these things?

i think I saw it on Delia once - she was driving around with several ripening camembert in the boot.

Bath with ice is also good for bottles/cans as well.

My mum always stores drinks in plastic lidded tubs outside full of water from the hose. They never actually freeze but stay nicely cold, you just need to wash the bottles before opening.