Big Gift

India
February 18, 2013 11:35pm CST
I came to my elder son’s home on January first with my wife; naturally I brought gifts for each member of the family along with homemade sweets. 15th January is a special day for our family; my elder son and all here wanted a big gift from me; I gave them 7 days to decide what gift they needed and I promised I will give them. On 23rd they said, they need a big car so that we all, 5 adults can move; I said ‘granted’. I inquired for a car that has enough leg space; I am 6’2” tall; air conditioner, CD/DVD/USB; audio/video player; and TV. I selected a ‘Innavo’ by Toyota ; the total cost on road was said to be around 12 lakhs (12 hundred thousand) rupees. [b]I broke some of my fixed deposits and paid the cost in part. Rest I will pay in EMI’s from my pension. [/b] [b]Today the vehicle was delivered; it is of white color, shining. We all went to the temple near home here and performed a pooja (worship); the priest applied vermilion, flowers on the bonnet of the car as per our faith. All are happy now; so I am too.[/b] I broke the fixed deposits, not all; because the money will ultimately come to them after my death. [b]Do you give costly gifts to your grown up kids? Did I do right, comment on my story. How you celebrate a big buy? Do you take your car to temple/church on the first day? Please respond and share your comments.[/b] Thanks in advance. Professor Dr. B.Saraf. PhD. Cheers have a lucky day ahead. [i][/i]
3 people like this
12 responses
knicnax
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
That's so nice of you to buy something like that for your family. Here in the Philippines, if the parents can afford it, they buy for their children. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, and we do bring our new car to church and ask the priest to bless it. all the doors are opened (including the hood where the engine is. The priest says a prayer with the family and then whisks holy water at the engine and at the seats. Dwellings such as houses and apartments are also blessed, usually before people move into it. It doesn't matter if it is old or new. If the occupants are new, they usually have it blessed. When I was a kid, there was this custom wherein when you have new clothes, you should first wear it when you attend mass. People also go to the church to have a lot of things blessed, like pens/pencils before taking exams.
1 person likes this
Angelpink
@Angelpink (4034)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
This is very true ! A very typical Catholic Filipino. It is a beautiful rituals that been passed from generation to generation. It manifest the faith of the people , rich and poor are doing same ritual.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
knicnax and Angel Thanks for the details, I am aware of this as i was in your country, though you are Catholic, many of our rituals are similar
Summer_Lee
@Summer_Lee (39)
• China
19 Feb 13
In China.People usually tie a red cloth on the reflector when bought a new car. Red means lucky to us.
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maygodblessu44
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
19 Feb 13
Hello my friend Professor2010 Ji, Well, it may not sound be-fitting to you and many here that I never gave such gifts to my children, they earned / sweat / and got for themselves everything, what they wanyted in their life. May be that we could not afford. I will just come with some statistics, In 1972, when our elder son was born, we gifted 5 (five ) gold rings to family members (Gold was less then Rs.200/-per 10 grms. Next, in 1987, I paid Rs. 450/- as a stitching charges for Blazer for my younger son, In 1978, I gifted on electrical toy train to our elder son when he stood first in class I. Now just convert them in terms of money. I beliebve that if children are gifted they may become Lazy. I do not argue and no one can remove me from this concept. Today we are much happier than many of my friends/relatives, who got lot of wealth in kind/cash gfrom their fore-fathers. Whatever, we have it is our own earning. Our both sons have their own eatrned cars and our lone daughter is too happy. May God bless You and have a great time
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maygodblessu44
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
26 Feb 13
Hello my friend Professor2010 Ji, Well, I would just summerise that you are a NOBLE person. In our case, nioether me nor my hubby in-herited any kind of priperty from anyone. But we think ourselves more than Billionariee, as we are debt-free. We never believed in taking loans etc. My FIL never asked, what my hubby used to get his salary, nor even today , we both are interested to know about our children. May God bless You and have a great time
Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
20 Feb 13
Thanks for sharing in details Bhabhji I never inherited lot of property, just the paternal house, i earned by honest means, i had tutions while i was still a student, i worked part time as gold smith, as radio/tv mechanic; now i have my pension of over 30k per month, my income from selling horoscopes, gem stones, house rent, enough savings; so i gave to my kids.
1 person likes this
dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
21 Feb 13
My mother has never given this kind of a large gift to myself or either of my grown siblings. However, this also isn't something that we expect of her. She is our mother and we all love her with all of our hearts. In addition to that, I also know that if we were to come to any kind of a situation in our lives where we were really needing her help, then I know that she would help us out in any way that she could without questioning our need for assistance.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
22 Feb 13
It depends upon ones capability , thanks for response.
Jenny1015
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
20 Feb 13
I do think that a parent can give such gifts to their children if the parent has the means. I really do not have much to buy something that expensive to my kids yet, but if I will ever get hold of a huge amount of money, I would definitely give my kids whatever they need.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
20 Feb 13
Yes one has to go by his/her capabilities Thanks for sharing your opinion.
vernaC
@vernaC (1491)
• Romania
19 Feb 13
You are very generous. Most of the parents won't spend much to their kids if they're already grown up, instead they are expecting from their children to give them more. I too have given something big to my father when I was still working, I gave him a motorcycle which I paid installment for 2 years.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Thanks for the details in your response His blessings are worth several motor cycles , you are blessed.
teotimoponcerosacena
@teotimoponcerosacena (1551)
• Philippines
20 Feb 13
Why not, congratulations for having such a costly gift to your eldest son. As for me I seldom give gifts to them personally even during their birthday, I treat everyday as a special day. I buy things without their knowledge. I have only two daughters and they are both working. All our investment from a house and lot to the place we are residing now are for them. I always observed what they need and loved and buy it for them if I have the opportunity. I wrapped it properly and write their names on the top and placed them on placed where it will be easy for them to recognized. I usually act as if I don't know anything. I executed a special power of atty. that whatever happen to me nobody can claim the properties under my name except my two daughters. I planned for travel and I want everything to be okay and no hassle for them in case something happen to me. Only my lawyer, witnessed and drawer knew about the special power of atty. and both the Lawyer and the witnessed are living a one hour flight from our placed.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
20 Feb 13
Thanks for sharing You have done the right thing, the lawer will do the needful when time comes.
muggiekins
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
I am generous to my niece if I have money. If I could afford it, why not. Last year I contributed a lot to her 3rd birthday celebration which costs something like the minimum wage here. I don't mind as long as my niece is happy. If she is them I am happy too. So I perfectly understand what you did.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Glad to hear this, cost is not a factor in case of gifts lol.
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
You did what is right, buy a car so that everyone can always come whenever there's a trip to be done, professor. It would be more convenient to have a car specially when the whole family has to travel. You can bring whatever things you would like to bring without worry of how heavy they are to carry. Besides, while you are still alive you are able to enjoy what you bought for them. What is important is that you still have the money left for them if ever you are already gone. You are a good provider , professor. Keep it up!
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Dina Thanks for response We wont have to depend upon hired vehicle any more.
Aminul Islam
@aminul842700 (861)
• Dhaka, Bangladesh
19 Feb 13
Dear Professor, you have done an excellent job. I also need a personal car but still I am looking the opportunity to buy it. At present I am using my official car/jeep. Yes, I also celebrate this type of buying but we do not go to our prayer place (mosque) for worship. Have a very wonderful day.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Thanks for response Hope you will buy one soon from your savings, have faith on Allah
sishy7
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
19 Feb 13
I remember my mom helped me to get a van years ago when my family started to grow and we needed a bigger car. We traded in the toyota sedan for a chevy astro van. We were going to finance it since we could not come up with the total payoff at once. But my mom said she would pay the balance instead so we had the van all paid. We were so happy and grateful then. And last year, my family decided to surprise my mom with a new car as her 70th birthday gift. I think she almost fainted with surprise when she realized the new car delivered to her house that day was actually hers.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Thanks for detailed response I can imagine how happy your mom must have felt, my regards to her..
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Angelpink
@Angelpink (4034)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
Hi Prof ! You did the best thing ! The happiness of your son was priceless ! I believed children deserved all the best in this world. I can remember my dad in you . He didn't buy me a car but for the whole family. Like you , he got the very generous heart and i am his favorite but he can no longer buy me my pink car because he was in heaven already. Dads are great ! Nothing he wanted but a bright future to all his children and that beautiful smile in each faces.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Thanks for response Angel I am glad you see your dad in me Yes dad are always good for their kids.
extremefun4fun
@extremefun4fun (2908)
• India
19 Feb 13
well, It is so beautiful to recieve gifts and to give gifts. In my country we used to give gifts and recieve gifts usually from family, friends and relatives. But as long as I live in India I have missed all those chances and No, for me here nobody give me any gift and as I am depended on my husband , most of the time he will not give me permission to give gift too as he has grow up like that in his family. But I am too happy after reading your discussion I again feel my father how nice was making my wishes to come true.
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Professor2010
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
19 Feb 13
Thanks for responseI am getting bit confused, are you not from India basically? But now you are in India, you married an Indian, who is rude?