The birthday you remember most probably wasn’t the most expensive one. It was the one where the right people showed up.

What makes a day stick is who was in it rather than what was spent on it. A cheap afternoon with people who actually know you outlasts an expensive one full of guests who came for the event. That is a relief, because you have some control over attendance and almost none over budget.

For the next thing you celebrate, settle the guest list before the plan. Ask the two or three people who matter most, early enough that they can get there.