Just a vent about people not RSVPing or canceling last minute

[FollowTheSun]

My partner and I host game nights 2-3 times a year. We give a month notice, we make a group event on FB, and we usually get very enthusiastic responses of being interested and/or saying they will come. They respond on the invite that they will come. Those who show seem to have a good time, and ask to be invited again.

We are about to host another one tonight. I have been cleaning the house for two days, making goodies, and partner went out and got more snacks, prepared the games for tonight, etc. It starts in a hour. In the last two hours, three people/couples (total of 5) have just cancelled. One says company holiday party, one just says they can't make it after. I'm sure the holiday party was known about before two hours ago.

I texted several others (the ones who didn't cancel last minute) to get a head count for ordering pizza. People are either not replying or saying they can't come after all, with no apologies for not saying so earlier. These are mature adult people who hold jobs, have stable lives, etc. In other words, these are people who ought to know better. Why do people think this is okay to do?

We have at least some confirmed people so we will still have fun. It just irks me.