Xmas cheer

2

So, I love my family. But this year I was struck by something. My youngest sister is 12 now and lives in a richer area of LA. Her Christmas was good in terms of material goods, but towards the end of the day she became completely frustrated over the fact that she wasn't given a new iPhone 6s. She has a 5s... And she's 12.

I get that she's the younger sibling and always gets hand me downs from her older sister, but to see the raw disregard for how lucky she is in the world really got to me. She complained that as she always gets her sisters old tech once she says she's not loved as much, and it at one time breaks my heart for her and infuriates me at the same time.

I don't know, I just don't know how to get her to appreciate how good she has it. I grew up in a lower middle class family in Alaska, where I would routinely skip lunch at school to save up money to buy a record twice a month, and she has a device in her hand that gives her every song ever made, yet she doesn't care.

Am I just old?

Is this how old men are constructed?

One piece at a time while trying to comprehend the desires and expectations of the young.

I dunno, but Merry Christmas I guess.

chef:
I just offended my coworker by saying her family gives too lavishly.   One of her sister's gifts was a $500 purse.   Some designer I don't even know who it is, bc I don't care about that crap.  But I mean seriously...who needs a $500 purse ? The whole tale she regaled me with involved one after the other gift that cost more than $100.  One of them was a $100 thermos cup!? My husband's family is the same way and it is so overwhelming.   Everyone is concerned with how much they spent and whether they got enough in return.   Sorry for the rant on your post ! Haha.  I do agree that it would be nice if the girl appreciated what she has.   I think younger siblings often think they never get enough.  
thescottness:
@chefbeth I think it's a trend in today's culture to put a price tag on things and try to outspend the other person. At least it is in some places, like a lot of LA. But then again I think it's been a problem for most of human history, it just seems amplified by the culture of advertising and consumerism we're caught in.

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