Aww, that birthday sucks! One of the things that a friend of mine's family does is monthly birthday parties. Basically all of their friends who have a birthday party that month (or in those two months) get together at the same time and everyone brings their presents for them and snacks and stuff. It guarantees a big party, meeting new people, and generally works out pretty well.
Maybe next year we can have an August Birthday Event for everyone whose birthday is in August.
My birthday last year was awesome. Vallie got a bunch of my friends together at Ground Kontrol and she got me the best present EVAH! My video camera. So much win. She's complained to me that she'll never be able to top it. Next year though, I'm going be doing a Hobbit Birthday. I'm going to buy everyone dinner and give them all presents.