Organize a Group Donation

To teach kids about helping others while also giving the birthday child a present he or she will love, direct guests to echoage.com. A really neat, free service founded by two moms, ECHOage works by asking each guest to contribute between $10 and $30 to the overall party fund. Half of the total amount is donated to a charity of the birthday child’s choosing, and the other half goes toward purchasing a gift that the birthday child has pre-selected. In the end, you’ll end up with less clutter, fewer returns, and the knowledge that you might have helped brighten the day of someone who truly needs it.

Throw a Book Swap

Instead of bringing a gift, ask each guest to bring a copy of his or her favorite book for a birthday book exchange. This way, everyone leaves with a present! Once the party’s started, set up all the books on a table and have each guest pick one he or she would like to take home (or assign each book a number and have guests pick numbers from a bag). For an activity, provide plain canvas totes and craft supplies like markers, stickers, and beads so guests can create unique bags in which to carry their books home.

Give The Gift Of No Gift

At the risk of sounding like the Grinch, advise guests not to bring a gift at all. Often, the party itself is enough of a present! Plus, you and your family (and all your relatives) will already be giving the birthday child presents you know he or she will really enjoy and be able to use.