Valentine’s Day done right
As a student, the chances that you’re able to take your partner to Paris, France for Valentine’s Day are very slim. I understand that, and so do most people. So here are some tips to help make your significant other happy while not taking a huge toll on your bank account.
Start thinking about it: You knew this day was coming, whether it be Valentine’s Day, or your upcoming anniversary. You want it to be special, so think about it a few weeks in advance. You don’t even need to start planning right away – just know that it’s coming up. That way, if your partner starts dropping hints, you might be more likely to pick up on them, because you realize something is coming up. As you’re thinking about your evening, start jotting down ideas.
Plan ahead: Take your thoughts and come up with an outline of what you’d like to do for the day. Dinner and a movie sounds good, so why not start looking at what movies are playing in the theatre? See a coupon for a buy one, get one movie offer – keep it, and use it.
Solidify your plan: If you’re going out, check out deals in the area and make a reservation. The longer you wait, the more it’s probably going to cost you. Businesses know that a lot of people wait to the last minute to make their Valentine’s Day plans, and they’re willing to take advantage of your laziness in the form of monetary gain.
Creativity is key: The less you are willing to pay, the more thought you should put into your plans. If you really don’t have a lot of money to spend, be willing to put in a lot of time and effort to make up for that. Thinking of having dinner at home? Try looking up some exciting recipes online and making something new. If you’re not the best cook, why not make it a new opportunity for the two of you? Try making sushi for the first time together, or prepare everything for a romantic fondue night. Even if the food goes horribly wrong, you’ll have the memory of a nice experience you shared that Valentine’s Day when you were broke students.
Think of a theme: To tie the night together, it’s great if you have a theme. Choose foods from one culture, and maybe find a movie that works with that. If you want to be extravagant, why not get simple decorations to match? There are a lot of different things you can do.
Have a special drink for the night: A nice bottle of wine or a new mixed drink is a great way to spice up your usual evening. Mixed drinks or specialty drinks are a fun way to try something new and turn the night from something regular, to something extraordinary.
Find great deals: If you’re doing dinner at home, go to the dollar store to get some decorations; small touches make a BIG difference. Grab some candles, or fancy placemats – something to take the night from every-other-day to something special. On Valentine’s Day, you can buy roses individually on campus. Consider purchasing one and getting a vase small enough for a single rose – it’s a gesture that’s both elegant and caring.
Remember, Valentine’s Day isn’t ultimately about how much you spend, but the fact that you spend it together. Even if you (or your partner) don’t create a super fancy date night, it can still be a memorable experience that you had together. Something can be said for date nights that go horribly wrong. Memories aren’t always made from perfect moments.