Birthday parties and no gifts?

My daughter has been invited to a few birthday parties before Kindergarten and we always brought a gift for the child. This year, she has been invited to three parties so far. The first we brought a gift to but the upcoming two say in the invite “no gifts”. This is unfamiliar territory for me and feels strange, like it’s wrong to come empty handed! I debated a gift card or something.. but don’t want to annoy the hosts by not listening to their request.

Anyway, looking for similar experiences. Is this becoming more common? Parents who have done this, did guests really bring nothing? Parents who have been invited to parties like this, did you/others truly bring nothing at all?