Whether it’s your own kids or their little friends, it’s easy for parents to become birthday-partied-out. Three money- and sanity-saving ideas:

1.    Buy ’em by the stack. A mother of triplets shared this strategy with us. She picks up a pile of presents each time she hits the toy store, often with no particular kid in mind. That way she not only takes advantage of sales but doesn’t waste time and gasoline running to the mall every time an invitation arrives in the mail. Best bets: timeless gifts like craft sets, games, sports gear--and anything that both boys and girls like. Designate a particular closet shelf so you won’t forget where your booty is stored.

2.    Think outside the gift box. Kids tear the wrapping paper off their gifts so fast that it’s all a blur anyway. So why pay $2.95 or more for a roll? With a little cheap creativity, you can wrap your gifts for next to nothing. The Sunday comics from your local paper are one colorful option. Tissue paper is another. One frugal father on our staff admits he’ll often go through the pile of discarded wrapping paper after his kids have ripped into their presents to salvage any pieces big and unwrinkled enough for another use.

3.    Play your cards right. Unless you want to enrich some cartoon character who is probably a lot wealthier than you are, why spend $1.95 or more for a card that the birthday boy or girl will barely read? Have your kids make their own cards instead. A few crayons, a sticker or two, and a sheet of paper folded in half or in quarters is all they need. Older kids, who may cringe at the sight of a crayon, can make cards on the computer. 

Do you have some good ideas of your own for saving on kids’ birthday gifts? Share them with us--we’d love to hear from you!