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Today’s Frills Were Yesterday’s Comforts
It’s easy for me to look at what we indulge in today and feel guilty, comparing our time to the austerity of the past. However, historical narratives and artifacts tell me that our luxuries–excluding advanced technologies such as iPhones–are nothing new. I’m not including in this comparison the sumptuous lifestyles of the past’s wealthy families, who spent millions of dollars on multiple homes, handmade dresses, and fancy furniture and art. Rather, this post is about regular middle-class folks who pursued some of the same comforts you and I enjoy today.
Christmas Gifts. Sometimes, I feel a little weird shopping around late in the year to find an item for an individual who has already been blessed with many possessions. And with our entire extended family swapping gifts, our living room gets pretty full of brightly wrapped things. I do see that we often get plenty of use and appreciation for these, but have wondered sometimes whether we’re going too far.