Research opportunity for CB students

Hi to the CB class,

As I mentioned in class yesterday, you have the opportunity to earn up to 10 points by doing some digging into the annals of literature and history. I'll give one point for each *excellent* example you provide.

Please help me find materials related to people's consuming/giving small luxuries & treats during periods of economic hardship. These can be from fiction & non-fiction books, magazine & newspaper articles, advertisements, movies, tv shows, etc.

Tell me:
1) what the source is,
2) who wrote it and when,
3) where the money comes from,
4) what the treat(s) is/are,
5) what the theme(s) of the story is/are

Examples: The Christmas segment in Little Women, novel by Louisa May Alcott (1869) -- Frugality; Food, gifts; Sharing is best way to treat yourself
The bun segment in Sara Crewe, children's novel by F. H. Burnett (1905). On this web page, this section starts with the line, "Some very odd things happen in this world sometimes..." -- Found money; Food; Sharing is best way to treat yourself
The Recessionista, blog by Mary Hall (July 2008 -- present) -- Frugality, coupons; Food & drinks, clothes & accessories, decoration, entertaining, vacations ("staycations"); It's possible to have fun and save money if you're careful
"A Label for a Pleather Economy," feature article by Natasha Singer (NY Times 10/24/08) -- Frugality, changing spending habits; Fashion; Consumers want to treat themselves, cute terms can help make cutting back more acceptable in people's minds
Bates Fabrics, magazine(?) advertisement (1939) -- Bridal budget; Bed linens; Beauty + heirloom quality + great value = smart purchase

I'm especially interested in non-2008, non-American, non-female-oriented examples (since everything I've come up with on the spur of the moment seems pretty girly...).

Thanks in advance for your help! I'm looking forward to seeing what you can find :-)
Graham