There are 20 kids in Ale's class...that means I KNOW I will have AT LEAST 10 birthday parties per school year...since she goes to a co-ed school, I know I will have to buy presents for both boys and girls (although there are more girls than boys in her class!)...I buy these gifts in bulk. Wholesale stores will give me the "by the dozen" price as long as I buy at least 3 of one item. I pick 3 items, generally 1 for girls (pretty purses, dolls, wands, plush toys), 1 for boys (cars, helicopters) and 1 "unisex" (puzzles, building blocks, doctor's kits, plastic farm animals, coloring books/crayons) and buy 3 of each. That gives me 9 items (enough to "survive" a school year). Because they are bought in bulk, I spend a lot less than what I would if I waited for each birthday party invitation to go to the store and buy each present! ...I also save on gas to go to the store and, even if Ale forgets to give me the invitations on time, I can always pick something from the closet at the last minute! (oh, and I always keep "recycled" wrapping paper on hand, too!)