I guess it all depends on what generation you grew up in. When I was a child in the 50s in a middle class family, eating out was a luxury that was reserved for very special occasions, and cooking and sewing were part of everyday life. Many people still lived with the horrible memories of the depression and war rationing, so money wasn't spent frivolously and children didn't get everything they asked for. We were taught to work and save for what we wanted, and if you didn't have the money, you didn't get what you wanted. You treasured and took care of what you had, and you waited for Christmas and birthdays to receive that ONE special gift. All of these lessons have been completely forgotten, and replaced with "I want it now!". Cooking and sewing are not luxuries they are acts of love that you put your heart into and share with others, be they family, friends, or total strangers. Sorry for making this so personal. I'll put my soapbox away now.