Skipping Family Birthday Celebration Tomorrow

I’ve decided not to celebrate my birthday with family tomorrow. Lately, it feels like family gatherings have turned into a weird competition.

For example, one of my cousin brothers often asks me for advice on laptops because he’s on a tight budget. In November 2023, I gifted his daughter a laptop worth 25k. I wasn’t expecting anything in return, but on my birthday, he gave me an expensive Dior perfume.

Another example: one cousin gifted his wife a ring on her birthday, and the other upped it by gifting his wife a necklace on hers.

This constant one-upmanship feels exhausting, and I’d rather not deal with it on my special day. So tomorrow, I’m leaving home in the morning with my friends to spend the day out, returning late at night.

Anyone else feel like family gatherings sometimes come with unnecessary pressure?