With Valentine’s Day approaching us fast, you might be asking yourself what the heck am I going to do? The day of love can often be an extravagant holiday where lovers spend hundreds of dollars showing and proving their love for each other. If you’re like most of us normal college kids, though, you don’t have hundreds of dollars lying around to spend on jumbo teddy bears and diamonds. Below are a few ideas to spend the day with your significant other without breaking the bank.
$-Inexpensive
If you have just twenty bucks lying around then this section is for you. While it might not seem like a lot that twenty can be stretched a long ways. First, hit the grocery store. Whether you want to go by yourself and surprise your other half, or take him or her along, you will easily find products to cook a delicious meal with. You’re your two’s favorite dish or try something completely new. If you have an extra dollar leftover, go to your closest Redbox and grab a movie that you two can snuggle up.
Don’t have enough money for a gift? Don’t fret! I’m sure your significant other won’t mind, unless they are super materialistic (if so, you might need a new significant other!). Simply take the time to make a homemade card with a sweet message on the inside. If you’re creative write a poem and if you’re not the poetry type, like me, then make sure to write a sweet message that came from the heart. This is the day where cheesy is totally acceptable, so don’t forget to mention how much you love staying in watching Game of Thrones with them all weekend or that weird snort at the end of their laugh that you always make fun of them for. Not the card making type? Then type up a homemade coupon booklet offering a 15-minute massage, a hot and steamy makeout session, or dinner for two on you when you can afford it in the future. Give whatever you make while you eat your homemade dinner over candlelight.
$$-Moderate/Average
Have around $50-$75 to spend? Then up your game! Go out to dinner instead. Places such as Longhorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden offer dinner for two from a selected menu, both of which total under $30 (not including tax and tip). Sick of the same mainstream chain restaurants? Then try Giavanni’s in downtown Iowa City. This local restaurant offers great, homemade Italian classics for an affordable price. The dim red lighting and soft background music easily create a romantic atmosphere that will surely be wanted on February 14th.
Don’t forget the chocolates and flowers! While the may be cliché, no one can turn down these classic gifts. The guy in your life may not appreciate a bouqet of roses, so grab him that new hat he’s been wanting or go ice-skating or to a movie at the mall. It’ll be a fun way to end the evening.
$$$Pricier
For those that have $150+ to spend, then congratulations. You’re the ones that make the rest of us jealous Take your lover out to a fancy restaurant that you only visit for very special occasions. Try steaks at Joseph’s or Orchard Green for a fine dining experience. The meal alone will put a dent in your budget, but the classic and fancy dining experience will be a fun thing that you two don’t get to experience often.
Make sure to buy a special bottle of wine (if you’re 21 and over) that you two can sip on after the meal. Since you went on a fancy dinner, other things such as a movie probably aren’t needed. For the guys out their, you know us ladies will always accept diamonds, so don’t be afraid to buy us that dainty bracelet or necklace you think we’ll love (which we will). For the ladies, buy your guy a set of tickets to go see his favorite hockey or basketball game that you two can see in the near future. It’s a gift he’s sure to love.
If none of these ideas hit your interest, then keep searching! HerCampus is full of Valentine’s ideas as well as Pinterest. Don’t fret if you don’t do anything at all, simply being with your significant other is enough as well. Hopefully, Cupid’s arrow will lead you in the right direction to have a love-filled V-Day this year.
XOXO