Hey there IBEX!. An idea to diminish your stash and still be ready for our birthday swap. Have you considered using pre-cuts rather than shopping? Jelly rolls, layer cakes or charm packs that don't grab your heart might make good 2.5" squares for birthday swapping. You can get 16 - 2.5s from one strip of a jelly roll.....just a thought. Trying to help you kill two birds with one stone so to speak.