Valentines Day. You love it or you hate it. Couples use it as an excuse to plaster their smoochy photos all over social media. Singletons can feel out of the ‘buzz’ and that their day is somewhat lacking purpose. For those seeing each other it can be a more than awkward time, almost like the 14th February is deadline day. Then there’s the rest who couldn’t give two hoots. Here’s a few ideas about how to have the best Wednesday 14th February (on student budget).
GALENTINES.
‘Gal’entines, so 2018 I know. Grab your box (or boxes) of nail polish, nip to Savers and grab a handful of face masks. Shove on a dressing gown and some super comfy slippers. Maybe even nip to co-op Penny Road and splash out on some nibbles – hummus, pitta bread, rose wine…the opportunities are endless. This my girl gives you a recipe for a girlie spa sesh. Plug your phone into the speaker and let the Spotify Spa playsuit seep through the air. Lounging around with your besties acting sophisticated and ‘lady-like’ on a Wednesday night, what more could you want? It’s perfect for if you are on a bit more of a tight budget as face masks can be homemade with bananas or whatever takes your fancy. Or go all out with a trip to lush – but please don’t feel obliged! This is ideal for a group of girls (or guys) who want to sit and collectively bond over the perks on single life.
You could even coincide this spa session with a cheese and wine night. Get everyone to bring piece of cheese and a bottle or two or three or four… depending on how hard Valentines has hit you. Gather all your besties and maybe their other halves – but the latter may require extra seating so maybe not. It can be used as an excuse to be getting very drunk midweek or to have a full-on squad catch up. Even throw in some games, perhaps Monopoly if you want a drunken challenge or cards against humanity if you want something to make you blush this Valentines.
However, you wish to spend your single valentines – surely, it’s better spent with your friends than crying over a Rugby lad in a cold student bed, right?
WE ARE SEEING EACH OTHER BUT WE AREN’T TOGETHER – HELPPPPPPPP
This is an infamously awkward situation to be in this time of year, you kinda feel an external pressure to act on those potential feelings but at the same time don’t want to jump the gun. One good way to sorta-ish celebrate it is to go on a date during the ‘Valentines week’. Why not go to the Groves pancake day, which is conveniently the day before the 14th and celebrate the two in one (but don’t deprive yourself – have pancakes for lunch/dinner as well). Or arrange a day out on the weekend – a trip to the quay and a walk to Double locks could be an option. This way you use it as an excuse to spend some well needed time together which you can then refer to as your Valentines Day later down the line if you so wish to.
IN LOVE
Wanting to do something original this Valentines with your other half but still feeling like it’s not ‘Valentinesy’ enough is a challenge. Student Budgets are notoriously tight, so Valentines can really pull on those purse strings. Giraffe in the heart of Princesshay does an affordable brekky option, you can have a hot drink and a Morning Po Boy which is sausage, egg, spinach and chillies – perfect to literally spice up your Valentines (don’t worry there are other options if that doesn’t tickle your fancy). Alternatively a trip to the Glorious Art House Café is student bank account friendly where they do luxurious and very insta worthy hot chocolates. Just be sure to get a good pic for a less smoochy feb 14th upload.
If you’re a Fifty Shades Fan (I am no shame), the third in the sequel has just come out, both Odeon and the VUE are showing it, so go with the other half early evening and who knows how your Valentines day will end…? 😉
Alternatively if you literally just can’t stand the thought of even acknowledging February **th, tickets for the Rugby Varsity are still on sale for a tenner, so spend your V********’s chanting BLEED GREEN.