SO's best friend showing me up

[merlin7676]

So my SO's bday is in a couple of weeks. I had planned on taking him to dinner at a semi-nice place and maybe a amazon gift card for some kindle books or something small like that.
Well The Price Is Right is coming to town and my SO's best friend bought us tickets to go (4 of us, not just the SO and I) on his birthday night.
On top of that, I just got an email saying he just got him another present (I don't know what it is).
Now I'm not willing to play the keep up with the Jones and while the SO has come along mustachian-wise he's not as far as I am come.
So now I'm not sure what to do?   Look like a total ass for now not taking him to dinner and in front of his friends?  Or do I say I have something planned another night and we do dinner and amazon card then? Or do I say screw it and get him a very nice present anyway and rearrange my budget for next month?

[NotJen]

Or do I say I have something planned another night and we do dinner and amazon card then?

Do this.

I don't really see what the problem is.  You don't need to compete with the best friend in any way (monetary or otherwise).

The Price is Right sounds like something fun to do together on the birthday night - and I'm sure that night is fixed and can't be changed.  So, you have your private dinner/celebration another night.  No big deal.

[Spork]

So my SO's bday is in a couple of weeks. I had planned on taking him to dinner at a semi-nice place and maybe a amazon gift card for some kindle books or something small like that.
Well The Price Is Right is coming to town and my SO's best friend bought us tickets to go (4 of us, not just the SO and I) on his birthday night.
On top of that, I just got an email saying he just got him another present (I don't know what it is).
Now I'm not willing to play the keep up with the Jones and while the SO has come along mustachian-wise he's not as far as I am come.
So now I'm not sure what to do?   Look like a total ass for now not taking him to dinner and in front of his friends?  Or do I say I have something planned another night and we do dinner and amazon card then? Or do I say screw it and get him a very nice present anyway and rearrange my budget for next month?

My family does this all the time to me and wifey.  I finally just decided it was ok with both of us and let's move on. 

Personally: I prefer a nice quiet dinner with the wife than a big raucous night out with friends.  If it were me, I'd do that on another night.  But use your own judgment -- I am not your SO.

[lbmustache]

Well The Price Is Right is coming to town and my SO's best friend bought us tickets to go (4 of us, not just the SO and I) on his birthday night.
On top of that, I just got an email saying he just got him another present (I don't know what it is).

Bought? I thought PIR tickets were free...

[AZDude]

I don't see the problem. I hate other people's birthdays because it is always a hassle, but I go for them. This is your SO's birthday, not yours, so make do as best you can and make sure he is having a good time. For me, a nice gift is secondary to having a good time.

[Spork]

Well The Price Is Right is coming to town and my SO's best friend bought us tickets to go (4 of us, not just the SO and I) on his birthday night.
On top of that, I just got an email saying he just got him another present (I don't know what it is).

Bought? I thought PIR tickets were free...

There seems to be a touring show that does cost money.  It's not the one you see on TV with Drew Carey.  It's a "live event".  I have seen it advertised in a few cities near me.

[Eric]

Well The Price Is Right is coming to town and my SO's best friend bought us tickets to go (4 of us, not just the SO and I) on his birthday night.
On top of that, I just got an email saying he just got him another present (I don't know what it is).

Bought? I thought PIR tickets were free...

There seems to be a touring show that does cost money.  It's not the one you see on TV with Drew Carey.  It's a "live event".  I have seen it advertised in a few cities near me.

The Price Is Right On Ice!

[KisKis]

Well, I'm just going to state the obvious.  The one ace you have in your pocket is (drumroll) ...sexual favors.  Works every time.  Best birthday ever.

[trailrated]

Seriously, this is mustachian and on par with the best gift ever. http://thechive.com/2015/09/14/girlfriend-of-the-century-made-an-epic-coupon-book-for-an-anniversary-gift-21-hq-photos/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=chivetrafficfacebook#.12bzxl:VFfV

[mtn]

Well, I'm just going to state the obvious.  The one ace you have in your pocket is (drumroll) ...sexual favors.  Works every time.  Best birthday ever.

This guygal's got it.

Get take out from his favorite restaurant, or make him his favorite meal. In the middle of the dessert, excuse yourself to the bathroom, and come out nekked and get under the table and blow him.

PIR? Sorry folks, he's not remembering that after your gift. The price is wrong Bob.

[Rosy]

Oh come on now:) it's all good - enjoy the night out with friends and do your own dinner out and gc on a different night, it all just adds to the celebration.
I love having b-day stuff spread out for weeks at a time:)

Of course, the well planned "dessert" at home will be the icing on the cake that trumps it all - it's the one special gift only you can give:)

[KisKis]

Well, I'm just going to state the obvious.  The one ace you have in your pocket is (drumroll) ...sexual favors.  Works every time.  Best birthday ever.

This guy's got it.

Get take out from his favorite restaurant, or make him his favorite meal. In the middle of the dessert, excuse yourself to the bathroom, and come out nekked and get under the table and blow him.

PIR? Sorry folks, he's not remembering that after your gift. The price is wrong Bob.

Not a guy, so I am reinforcing this from the lady-side.  It doesn't have to be as worked up as the example above, but taking initiative and showing enthusiasm goes a long way.  This method pretty much covers every holiday - Birthdays, Christmas, Valentines, Father's Day, etc.  DH tried to negotiate other holidays, but I limit it to traditional gift-giving events.  He also buys himself things from his wishlist on Amazon from time to time, and I will write it off to certain holidays.  Since we have a shared checking account and mustachian desires, materialistic gift giving seems rather pointless and counterproductive.