i hate it too. but of course after dd seeing her friends hand out gifts for their birthdays, she is looking forward to doing the same. we have received some nice stuff as well as the bag o crap. the bag of crap is the worst because not only do we know have a ton junk that we didn't need to want, i know that the person spent too much money on it.

in the past we have tried to do a single nicer item. we did the wikki stix party packs one and a yummy earth lolly pop one year. we have also done dollar store activity books and discounted books from scholastic.

i miss the good old days when everyone brought in cupcakes on their birthday. i really do not understand this new trend.
i understand the no food rule, i just don't understand the idea of giving gifts to everyone in the class. it seems meaningless, not thoughtful.