Valentine’s Day and college campuses have a love-hate relationship. Those taken over by young love anticipate this day since day one of winter term, while others loathe the idea of “singles awareness day.” This year we are lucky enough to celebrate this glorious night on a Saturday halfway through the term. Whether you’re single, taken, or in a complicated relationship we have all types of date and gift ideas for this loving time of year!
Dinner Out:
If you are brave enough to brave the crowds and head out for dinner with your loved one, best of luck to you! We are lucky to live in a city with so many options for everyone’s taste. Before you go off on your romantic dinner date try and make a reservation way ahead of time! Know the restaurant of your choice? Call ahead and see if they are doing reservations for Valentine’s Day. Also keep an eye out for events such as paint parties in the city. If you want to avoid the crowds, maybe try a lunch date for two in the city and have a dinner in! College kids are always looking for a deal, wouldn’t it be great if Restaurant Week and Valentine’s Day coincided? Well, take a quick browse on the Internet for specials at your favorite restaurants, most places have a set menu for the night so shop around and see what is in the budget. If you’re not looking to brave the cold and leave campus, Sabrina’s here on campus offers a great three-course menu for $25 that looks absolutely incredible.
Gift Idea: So your significant other may not appreciate the typical flowers, chocolate, or jewelry the way we do, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil them on Valentine’s Day! Wrap up cologne and a little card to give them over dinner just as a little something special.
Dinner In:
If dinner in a crowded restaurant isn’t you’re idea of romance, you may want to opt for a dinner in. This is your chance to get creative! Apartment living lends itself to the idea of a romantic dinner for two. Light a candle or two and make your favorite dinner. Want to try something new? How about head out to the grocery store together in the afternoon then try cooking something a unique recipe together. Cooking dinner together can be a lot of fun, especially if neither of you know what you’re doing!
Gift Idea: Sticking with the homemade idea, try baking their favorite dessert or cookies beforehand and surprise them with it after dinner! If baking really isn’t your thing, try a hand made valentine with some candies that they love.
Girls Night Out:
Okay, you and your girls may be single this Valentine’s Day but that does not mean you need to stay in and talk about your exes. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse for a girls’ night out! It’s a Saturday night so maybe head to your favorite center city bar or a club, whatever you ladies like to do for fun. Or pick up some of your favorite food, maybe a movie and stay in if you’re not feeling a night out. Just keep in mind Valentine’s Day is about spending time with those you love, and more often than not that is your best friends! Keep an eye out for Anti-Valentine’s Day parties. Bars host all kind of singles events on Valentine’s Day. Just make sure you spend the night in a good mood enjoying your time with the girls!
Gift Idea: Just because it’s a girl’s night out for Valentine’s Day does not mean we skip out on giving gifts. Talk to the girls and maybe you could do a gift exchange of afternoon shopping for some fun Valentine’s Day themed outfits. Try looking around for a new pair of heels or buy one of the girls a fun new necklace or lip color to wear out. Friends always know the perfect gifts to get each other, small or big make your ladies feel loved!
Flying Solo:
Please don’t think being alone on Valentines Day means a night full of RomComs crying into your bowl of ice cream. Flying solo can be just as fun as going out, if not more. This is the perfect excuse to spoil yourself! Remember that scented body lotion you got for Christmas that always seems to just sit on your shelf? Tonight is the night! Prepare for a night in with yourself and do a face mask, try a bubble bath or bath bomb, put on scented lotion, light a candle, do your toes, read a book, do what ever you want because tonight is about you! Try to focus on the positives, you’re alive and well on Valentine’s Day so celebrate, spoil yourself, and leave your ice cream in the freezer!
Gift Ideas: Flying solo is all the more reason to buy great gifts because you can buy yourself exactly what you want! Treat yourself to a Bath and Body Works shopping spree or skim through Pinterest for a little DIY project. Buy all necessary tools ahead of time and get ready to relax and enjoy your Valentine’s Day. Pro Tip: If chocolate is your guilty pleasure, go to CVS the day after Valentine’s Day and take advantage of all the candy on sale!
Valentine’s Day is about spending time with the one you love, whether that is your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friends, or yourself. Just make sure to have fun. Valentine’s Day is not the day to be sad and mope around, celebrate the ones you love and get all caught up in this wonderful winter holiday.
Happy Valentine’s Day!