My parents always encouraged strong relationships with just one or two close friends. When we had birthdays, it would just be me and my brother, and a couple of close friends. That made it affordable to do something really fun. We often went to a movie on my birthday, then had cake and ice cream after. I can still remember those movies - Willie Wonka, Marooned, 10 From Your Show of Shows, etc.
My parents always encouraged strong relationships with just one or two close friends. When we had birthdays, it would just be me and my brother, and a couple of close friends. That made it affordable to do something really fun. We often went to a movie on my birthday, then had cake and ice cream after. I can still remember those movies - Willie Wonka, Marooned, 10 From Your Show of Shows, etc.