Valentine’s Day is notorious for causing mass chaos among even the most stable of couples. The dinner, the gifts, the atmosphere–everything has to be perfect or the relationship just won’t last, right? No matter how you look at it, preparing for the ultimate in romance definitely takes its toll.
“It’s such a homework holiday,” Ohio University freshman, Cortney Crowder, said. “It’s so hyped up that I don’t even enjoy it.”
This is the first Valentine’s Day that Crowder will spend in a relationship. Crowder’s boyfriend, fellow freshman Joey Brunner, said he doesn’t have a clue as to what their V-Day plans will be.
“There’s too much pressure to do something amazing,” he said. “It makes you not even want to try and then everything’s last-minute and stressful.”
Although it seems like having a great Valentine’s Day is next to impossible, it can be done! Embrace a frame of mind that eliminates the stress and make sure you remember what’s really important about the holiday: celebrating being in love! In the meantime, here are a few date ideas you can try that are simple, cute, and keep the romance alive:
Night Hike
If Ohio University is known for one thing (besides the parties), it’s our beautiful campus and the various ghosts and ghouls that haunt it. Make sure you bring flashlights and a couple of thermoses full of hot chocolate and plan a night hike to the Ridges or any of Athens’ five nearby graveyards. Sure, it’s a little morbid, but it’s unique, lets your man act strong and protective, and gives you plenty of opportunities to hold each other close.
Go on a Movie Binge
This date is perfectly tailored for the budget-conscious homebody all of us. Head over to the grocery store and buy your sweetheart a ton of his favorite junk food, then head over to Alden and rent a few movies you think he should see. (Make sure they’re movies he’d actually enjoy. Sorry girls, that probably means no “A Walk to Remember”). Have him do the same for you. Once you’ve got all the necessary supplies, pull out your extra blankets and pillows, dim the lights, and you have your own private, PDA-friendly theater to spend the night in.
Snowball War
There’s nothing more adorable than a friendly winter rivalry between you and your boy. Even though OU students are usually stuck waddling through slush all winter, if weather permits, declare war. Make sure you utilize South Green’s crazy big lawns to find the perfect spot for your snow fort, then let the snowballs fly! First one who complains of being too cold loses!
Get Out of Athens!
If one of you is blessed enough to have a car and extra gas money, celebrate V-Day off campus! Drive to Columbus for a decent dinner, shopping or a show, or look around Southern Ohio for something quirky to do–like laser tag or visiting COSI, arguably the coolest science museum around.
Embrace the Cliché!
Sometimes gooey romance can be fun! (And hilarious.) Amuse yourselves by going all out for Valentine’s day – buy the giant heart shaped boxes of chocolate, carry around the big, pink stuffed animals, send flowers to each other’s dorm rooms and generally annoy everyone around you. Write each other stupid poems, put on the sexy lingerie, and let the “I-love-yous” fly freely. Once you take the seriousness out of it, getting hit by Cupid’s arrow becomes way less nerve-wracking and a lot more fun.
Whether you’ve been together for two months or two years, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be stressful! An open mind and a sense of adventure can make one of the most intimidating holidays imaginable into an unforgettable and utterly romantic experience. At least until you start worrying about next year!