If people would just politely feign not to notice it.
a few years ago most a group of friends and co-workers went for a dinner. That coincided with my birthday, who no-one but one knew. She brought a bunch of balloons with my age printed on it in shape of a speed limit sign.
Instead of a nice evening I was looking forward to, it's been very unpleasant indeed.
As a side effect I became the host. It ended with even more embarrassment when co-workers (who felt obliged to pay themselves) estimated the total I had to settle.
