Too expensive...what to do?

Just tell them honestly that it's out of your budget - you never know, they might offer to pick up the tab! Tell them that you will join them for coffee and dessert, then stay home and eat your normal dinner with your kids, book a sitter for an hour only, and join your parents for coffee and dessert. It isn't necessary for you to break the bank for a parent's birthday - I doubt if your Dad would expect that. Show up for coffee with a birthday card - it really IS the thought that counts. Your Dad will be pleased that you remembered his birthday, and the coffee and dessert date can actually be more fun than the full dinner because you two won't be stressing silently over the expense of the night. Don't be afraid to be honest with your Dad - he probably knows your situation and maybe he's even a bit stressed over the birthday dinner that step-mom planned because he knows that it will stretch your budget. And then - if you aren't already doing this - set aside $25.00 out of each paycheck - you won't even notice that amount of money. Put it into a tax-free account or a jar under the bed or somewhere else and leave it alone. Then when last-minute things like this come up you will have a little "mad money" to dip into.