I agree that I prefer to spend the money on event/activity rather than candy or trinkets. DD will forget the little cheap plastic items, but she'll always remember the time she went roller skating, etc.

I don't know what we'll do this year. DD is wanting to do the roller skating or Jumperz, which is a place you can go to with the inflatable bouncers that is pre-set for a party. I haven't checked the prices, but they're not cheap. Her birthday is always during the county fair, which means that a lot of families are already busy that week anyway.