What is the biggest gift you have received?

[FoundMyPrince]

What is the biggest or best material gift (I'm not counting the blessing of having children, life, etc.) you have ever received? How did you thank the giver?

DH and I welcomed our fourth child 6 weeks ago, today. And, today, out of the blue, I received a beautiful "congratulations" card from some friends along with a $600 check. I'm completely overwhelmed by their generosity. How do you say thank you for such an unexpected and substantial gift?

 

[Tinkermommy]

My parents took my family on a 7-night Disney cruise.

 

[AristocatFan]

In 2004 for our 15th anniversary DH surprised me with a 2004 Toyota Sienna. I'm still waiting for him to top that one!

 

[Handbag Lady]

My dad gave me $5k for my wedding 10 years ago and then $8k for a car recently. My sister had the same amount given to her over the years. He had taken out savings bonds for each of us over the years when he worked and didn't tell us until he felt we needed the money. Or in the case of my car, I thought I spent it all at my wedding and it was a total surprise.

 

[missypie]

An 18K gold watch.

http://www.topperjewelers.com/watches/ebel/1911_lady_automatic_gold

 

[maslex]

For Christmas of 2004, MIL bought our family (DH, me, DS13, DS15) a trip to WDW. She bought the tickets & hotel room (ASMovies), we had free dining during that trip. We just had to come up with airfare and spending $$$.

 

[mjkacmom]

My parents payed for college, my wedding, gave us $10,000 towards our downpayment on our home, and took our whole family to WDW for 7 days, and then a 4 day WDW cruise. Oh, and they're taking us on a 7 night cruise in November. And DH gets their hand-me-down cars.

 

[punkin]

What is the biggest or best material gift (I'm not counting the blessing of having children, life, etc.) you have ever received? How did you thank the giver?

DH and I welcomed our fourth child 6 weeks ago, today. And, today, out of the blue, I received a beautiful "congratulations" card from some friends along with a $600 check. I'm completely overwhelmed by their generosity. How do you say thank you for such an unexpected and substantial gift?

You write a heartfelt thank you note thanking the giver for the "unexpected and substantial gift".

I am sure you have done something to deserve it, or at least your friends thought so.

Congratulations on the new baby.

 

[monkeyboy]

Kidney

 

[Pakey]

It's a bit difficult to top Monkeyboy's but my boss got me a BMW roadster for my new company car 2 months ago.

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Maybe not the most expensive gift I've received, but the best was for my 40th birthday.
My sisters and wife pitched in on an Indy Car Experience at a local road track. Best...gift...ever!! I still think about driving 140 MPH with my but 12 inches off the ground.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

A very dear friend who is older and has become a second mother to me and a surrogate grandmother to my children after my mother passed away a few years ago called and asked if she could make a contribution to the 529 plans for our children. Expecting a few hundred dollars, I was STUNNED to get the statements the next quarter and see that she'd put in about $100,000. Honestly, I didn't know how to react, and still struggle with it, but before she did it we already talked 3-4 times a week, and we truly love her, so we just keep thanking her. Also, and this is relevant, we're taking her to WDW as our guest this spring! It's not just a thank you, however, as we're probably even more excited than she is to go with our "chosen family".

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

A very dear friend who is older and has become a second mother to me and a surrogate grandmother to my children after my mother passed away a few years ago called and asked if she could make a contribution to the 529 plans for our children. Expecting a few hundred dollars, I was STUNNED to get the statements the next quarter and see that she'd put in about $100,000. Honestly, I didn't know how to react, and still struggle with it, but before she did it we already talked 3-4 times a week, and we truly love her, so we just keep thanking her. Also, and this is relevant, we're taking her to WDW as our guest this spring! It's not just a thank you, however, as we're probably even more excited than she is to go with our "chosen family".

WOW!

 

[mrodgers]

Maybe not the most expensive gift I've received, but the best was for my 40th birthday.
My sisters and wife pitched in on an Indy Car Experience at a local road track. Best...gift...ever!! I still think about driving 140 MPH with my but 12 inches off the ground.

Beaver Run Raceway, Pittsburghmarc?

I'd rather have access to the track in my own car. I think 135 in my Jetta that I know well would be better than 140 in a car I have no experience in even if it was a highly tuned true race car.

Then again, I have done 135 in my Jetta. If you've never done that kind of speed, it is thrilling in any car.

Maybe not the biggest or most expensive (well, maybe the most expensive), but the best gift would be my (cheap) electric guitar that I longed for over many many years that my wife got me. Not rich enough or in rich enough circles to be given expensive gifts.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

It really wasn't my gift, nor will the next be my gift, but I do benefit from it. My best friend from school (yes all the way from kindergarten) never had children. She treats mine like gold. For DD's 16th. birthday she treated us and a friend of my daughters to 6 days in NYC at the Waldorf Astoria, tickets to broadway, tickets to the the Nutcrakcer and much more. A limo picked us up at the train station....

She is already planning DS's sweet 16. She is talking him into Hawaii. There are no words above and beyond what we already have told her, so everytime I see her, I just hug her and hold her. No words even need to be exchanged anymore.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

My DH bought DVC for me....I love him!!!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

My parents paid for my wedding. It was a Disney wedding with about 200 guests, plus the paid for my three bridesmaids to fly from England, and paid for their hotel rooms for two weeks. I never saw the final amount but I can only imagine

DH and I were beyond grateful.

 

[phred52]

The best gift I EVER received ...was given to me 50 years ago. I was a preschooler sick in the hospital going into the 3rd week. Mom was often at the hospital with me ... But my Dad...he had to work AND take care of my sisters. I never saw Daddy in the hospital

. One night. as she prepared to leave, Mom explained she had a present for me!! She rummaged in her purse but couldn't seem to find my present. She left to find it. Well, I sobbed and sobbed as she walked out of my room. After a minute or two she walked right back into my room, anouncing she found my present !!!

Behind my Mom was ....... DADDY! MY Daddy scooped me out of the jail/crib and we sat in a rocking chair just snuggling and lovin each other for the longest time. It was wonderful. I vividly remember our reunion, his deep voice, his strong arms holding me safe from the nurses who scared me....the
low rumble of him reading books to me.

Best ....Present...... EVER .......MY Dad!

 

[PebblesMK]

The best gift I EVER received ...was given to me 50 years ago. I was a preschooler sick in the hospital going into the 3rd week. Mom was often at the hospital with me ... But my Dad...he had to work AND take care of my sisters. I never saw Daddy in the hospital

. One night. as she prepared to leave, Mom explained she had a present for me!! She rummaged in her purse but couldn't seem to find my present. She left to find it. Well, I sobbed and sobbed as she walked out of my room. After a minute or two she walked right back into my room, anouncing she found my present !!!

Behind my Mom was ....... DADDY! MY Daddy scooped me out of the jail/crib and we sat in a rocking chair just snuggling and lovin each other for the longest time. It was wonderful. I vividly remember our reunion, his deep voice, his strong arms holding me safe from the nurses who scared me....the
low rumble of him reading books to me.

Best ....Present...... EVER .......MY Dad!

What an amazing gift! And thank you, you have made me teary eyed.

 

[mommasita]

This month while visiting my father in PEI, we had a long talk. He will be 72 in January, golfs 18 holes per day, weather providing, never uses a cart. My point in this, is that I don't think it is health related.

We had a horrible relationship. None at all actually. He was an alcoholic, drug addict, and abusive when I was a child, until we just left. I was 11. He never remained a constant in my life, other than a constant worry. He was never there when I needed him, up until this past year.

He wanted to leave me now, while he is alive to see it (his words) his equity. My sister disowned the whole family a few years ago, all of us, so it is only I that remains.

Next week is meeting with notaries, banks, lawyers, etc. I will put a good chunk in trust for my children. My father was a CA, and obviously with nobody else to support but HIMSELF, he did quite well.

Funny I have no emotion. I know it will make our lives a LOT easier, and for that I am happy. I guess all he ever could give me was $, and well I never really had a piece of my father, as much as the $ WILL change our lives, and it will, it is hard to explain the feeling that goes with it. Almost as if he is saying take this, because I can not give you a part of my heart. He was amazing this past year however, and my family really needed him there, and he was a blessing.