My parents have always given us a choice of a birthday party or a short family trip. They say it costs about the same in the end. My brother always picks the family trip. Sometimes I pick the trip, sometimes a party. This year I had a party but I kinda hate it because you can only invite so many people and other people get their feelings hurt. I feel really bad when someone asks me to invite them and I can't because I have already used all the spots. Next year I think I will pick the trip and not have to go through that again!