Valentine’s Day is coming — and it’s coming fast. But as college students, we don’t have a lot of spare money to spend on extravagant dates. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do without a lot of money, whether you are spending Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart or just hanging out with friends.
If you are spending the special day with a boyfriend or girlfriend, there are lots of romantic dates that you can have for pretty cheap. Here are a few ideas:
Take a stroll in the park or on the beach. Here in San Luis Obispo, we are lucky enough to have lots of romantic places to take a walk. Downtown SLO is a great place to take your date and enjoy a reasonably priced dinner in a café. Or you could walk through the park or beach and pack a picnic. There is nothing more romantic than a picnic. Bring a blanket and some tasty hors d’oeuvres and enjoy a nice evening with that special someone.
Don’t feel like going out? Spend the night in. Make dinner together and have a movie night. Curl up on the couch with chocolate-covered strawberries and watch some classics.
If you have been with your significant other for a while, this could be a fun Valentine’s Day date. Set up a scavenger hunt that takes you back through your relationship. Give your valentine clues to find places, like where you had your first date, first kiss, anything that stands out to you from your relationship. If you can pull this off and make it fun, you are sure to melt your date’s heart.
Valentine’s Day gifts can also be stressful if you are on a budget, but they don’t have to be. As cliché as it sounds, if the gift comes from your heart, your valentine will love it.
Make a playlist that goes with your relationship. Have a meaning for each song. Have one be the song that reminds you of your boyfriend/girlfriend, one that fits your relationship, the song you first danced to, or the one that was playing in the background when you first met.
Make your valentine their favorite dessert. Bake their favorite cookies or cupcakes and decorate them.
There are plenty of things that you could give them, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a good impression!
Valentine’s Day — also known as Singles’ Awareness Day — doesn’t have to be a bummer just because you don’t have a date, either. Get a group of single friends together and make a fun night out of it.
You could also have a dinner and movie night. Cook dinner and watch romantic comedies with your friends. Curl up on the couch and be thankful for the friends you love.
Have a GALentine’s Day bash. Invite all your best girl friends over, play fun games, dance to loud music and stuff your face with chocolate. In the end, that’s what Valentine’s Day is about anyway, right?
Whatever you end up doing this Valentine’s Day, make it special and spend it with those you love, whether that means a special someone or your friends. And eat chocolate — lots of chocolate.