You have been paying off a mortgage or a business loan or even student loans for years and finally you make your last payment. In your opinion, is it appropriate to hold a celebration with friends to celebrate your good fortune, or does it invite ayin hara?

Personally, the day that happens. I would probably take the next mortgage payment (or up to that amount) and go out to a fancy shmancy restaurant with mh and myself, and hire a sitter for the kids...that would be a joyous day

That would be one expensive restaurant... Maybe make a weekend vacation out of it. (I think it's a nice idea BTW.)

perhaps we would do that as well. (thanks! just another 10+ years to go)

I don't remember my parents doing that for their mortgage, but when I paid off var. student loans when we were first married I was pretty happy! Ditto years later, paying off medical bills had to be paid out over a year.

I don't think a celebration is so much in order, as a sigh of relief ...

Isnt the minhag to hold a "Burn the Mortgage" party?