Are we overspending and over-celebrating?

For this week’s No More Ls column, we’re looking at the costs of celebrating every moment.

The half-birthday (as if a steady stream of children’s birthday parties wasn’t enough) might be the most accurate symbol of where celebration culture has landed in 2026. Weddings have gone from lavish to over-the-top. Divorce parties are now a thing. And somewhere along the way, the cost of showing up (or hosting) became its own kind of financial pressure.

Why Canadians are celebrating. Every. Damn. Thing.

It’s not just kids’ parties either. Since the pandemic, Canadians have been marking even more moments, and spending more to do it. Celebrations have become more produced, from themed parties and tablescapes to itinerary-packed weekends. The instinct to celebrate isn’t new, but the scale, both financially and aesthetically, keeps growing.

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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pinterest boards and reel-worthy posts have contributed to the scale of our fêtes. Shawna Whish, retail professor and e-commerce expert says, “People are documentarians of their own lives—they want the aesthetic.” Themed dinner parties in particular have surged in popularity, with hosts transforming their spaces into photogenic events—with costs that could match a mortgage payment.

Bruce Winder, retail analyst, author and media commentator says, “The dark side is that it’s sucked a lot of dollars out of people’s lives—a bachelor party used to be getting together at someone’s house; now you have to go to Europe or Miami, and you’re spending thousands of dollars.”

But Whish notes there is still an intentionality to it: “People are putting their money toward what’s most impactful.”

Is over-celebrating cringe?

Not all celebrations are created equal in the court of social media (see: gender reveals). Whish notes there is a lot of eye roll around bachelorette parties right now, especially those bundled with a huge financial and time commitment to be in someone’s wedding—with social media making these events the butt of the joke.

It seems the instinct has shifted towards planning a scroll-stopping soiree, and oftentimes losing the reason to celebrate (at least to outsiders). Winder cautions hosts and planners to ask: “Who am I really doing this for? Am I doing this for me, or am I doing this for clout on social media?”

Can you say no? No to hosting? No to the invite?

With costs in Canada increasing across the board, the financial strain is a serious consideration for both hosts and guests. For those planning their upcoming celebrations, Winder says, “no one wants to be the first to dial back their wedding or party—they want to see other people doing it first, so they almost have permission to do the same.”

At the same time, Whish encourages Canadians consumers to RSVP yes, if you can, knowing that these moments to celebrate loved ones can be a lot of fun. Even with wallets contracting, “people are going to continue to lean into themes and celebrations, fromnew jobs todivorce parties. And I don’t see Pinterest-inspired kids’ parties going away, but I do see people readjusting their spending to focus on what’s most impactful to them.” Whish adds that neither hosts nor guests should overextend themselves. “You can still throw a beautiful party on a budget.”

Another hallmark of post-pandemic celebrations is the destination event: a time and financial investment, but also a reason (or excuse) to travel that guests might not have chosen on their own. With travel costs what they are, Winder reminds hosts to expect that some invitees are going to bow out entirely.

Whish points to her own Las Vegas wedding anniversary celebration as a reminder of what destination events can be at their best. After a number of tough personal years (including the pandemic), Whish says, “We feel happy together, and we wanted to do something for us (especially as a childless couple), but also celebrate the people who showed up for us over those tough years.”

As hosts, it’s important to keep the pressure off the guests. Winder says, “You can still have a birthday, but you can celebrate in a more laid-back, mild way.” He notes that you may still go away to celebrate, “but it might be up to a cottage instead of Europe.” Whish echoes this reminder that the budget doesn’t determine the party’s success “Does everyone remember the decor? Sometimes. But a playlist can set the vibe for free.”

And when you’re an invited guest to an endless stream of celebrations, Whish adds, “You can absolutely say it’s just not within your means.”

Tired of partying?

Invitation fatigue and the pressure to save up just to participate are real. But beyond setting time and financial boundaries, it’s important for guests (and hosts) to remember the point of celebrations, even the more lavish ones: to celebrate loved ones, experience their milestones with them, and lean into moments that spark joy—without the financial headache.

ead more from this issue of The Get:

1. Should Canadians accept cookies online?
2. Before it gets awkward... Who pays for the date in Canada?
3. Organizer Jen Rowe on how decluttering can improve finances
4. Why is butter so expensive right now?