Valentine’s Day is the holiday for showing love and appreciation towards your loved ones, and the one commonly associated with chocolates, roses, and teddy bears. Of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romantic couples— my mom would send flowers to me every year in middle school— and it gives everyone an opportunity to let someone know they’re thinking of them. For most, the essence of Valentine’s Day combines love with heartfelt gifts, and if you’re lucky enough to find yourself with a significant other on Valentine’s Day, it may be hard trying to come up with romantic gestures and gifts— especially if you’re not rolling in money!
I’m going to expose myself a little bit for the sake of the article, but I’m currently a sophomore in college with no job whatsoever. This means I don’t have any source of income, and I’m still dependent on my mother to help me with necessities here and there. In addition to that, I also have a long-term boyfriend, meaning Valentine’s Day has an importance to it that I can’t ignore. Combine those two circumstances and you’re left with someone who has a huge desire to show up and out for her boyfriend while also being cognizant of her money. So, with that in mind, I started brainstorming a few ways a broke college student could make Valentine’s Day special and I’m going to share them in hopes that they can help anyone else worrying about what to do. Remember, there’s no pressure to do or get anything expensive for Valentine’s Day— it’s the thought behind the gestures that count!
- Put together something small and thoughtful for them!
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Of course, boxed chocolates and flowers are always perfect for the occasion, but that’s the thing… they’re typical (and expensive). I went into a florist once where it was $90 for a Valentine’s bouquet, and while I love flowers and the elegance of bouquets, I don’t particularly like spending $90 on them. So instead think of something specific and special to your significant other. My boyfriend mentioned never being able to find a batch of chocolate strawberries, so I went out to get strawberries and his favorite dark chocolate to make them myself! All I had to do was melt the chocolate, dip the strawberries in it, and refrigerate them overnight. It didn’t cost much nor take a lot of time, yet I know he’ll love them and it was also fun to make them myself!
- you can’t go wrong with meaningful gifts, so save expensive for anniversaries or birthdays
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Like I keep saying, there shouldn’t be a pressure to go all out and be expensive just to show your love for someone. The purpose of Valentine’s Day is to show your loved ones your appreciation for them in any way you please, but be sure there’s clear thought behind a gift if you decide to get one! For example, my boyfriend’s favorite artist is Juice Wrld and while I can’t say he’s ever been my go-to artist to listen to, I know that my boyfriend loves his music and I love my boyfriend! So for Valentine’s Day, I got him a small poster from Etsy of his favorite album and I swear he couldn’t stop smiling at it after we put it up on his wall. This day is a perfect reminder that you don’t have to always love the things your significant other does, but small gestures that show you love and know them will always hit the mark.
- Don’t overdo it for dinner. good food is everywhere
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There’s always something very romantic about dressing up and going to a fancy restaurant for Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only option for a good night. The true notion of Valentine’s Day always lies in doing something that you love with the ones dearest to you, and there’s a special intimacy in doing things specific to your relationship or with one another. For instance, my boyfriend and I are going to order take-out from a Korean street-food restaurant because it’s a place we’ve always wanted to try since moving to Allston. Korean corn dogs and fried chicken aren’t usually on people’s menus for Valentine’s Day dinner but that doesn’t matter to us because we’ve always been excited to try this restaurant. Likewise, my sister told me she and her boyfriend are opting to stay in and cook a pasta dinner together (their favorite) over a bottle of wine. The bonding time that comes with cooking a good meal together is perfect for Valentine’s Day and doesn’t break the bank— a great choice for college students!
- End the night with something special
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With dinner over and the night to yourselves, the possibilities of how to spend it are endless. This Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday, so for college students with classes on Tuesday, it’s difficult to waste the night away without thinking about school the next day. The key to ending the night is to find something you’ll both enjoy and to be comfortable in each other’s company. In my case, we’re going to wind down with a romantic comedy and an entire skincare routine I roped my boyfriend into doing. Ending the night with a clear and fresh face and your significant other by your side is the perfect time to wind down and end the day of love with a sense of contentment.
Remember, Valentine’s Day is for showing adoration and appreciation to your loved ones and reminding them how special they are to you. It’s not necessary to spend big bucks to show someone that you love them (but if you want to I’m sure they won’t complain), and there are plenty of ways to prepare a romantic day for that special someone. It’s always the thought that counts, and if there’s anything you take away from this article, something meaningful does not have to equate to being expensive!
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