This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emerson chapter.

Happy Valentine’s Day, collegiettes! Love is in the air, and whether you’re celebrating with your partner or taking the Galentine’s route, you probably need a gift idea or two. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make the day of someone you love! Here are a few simple and inexpensive gift options for the special people in your life.

DIY Bath Products

Nothing says “Valentine’s Day” like a little pampering, but spa days and luxury bath products can get very expensive. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make a sweet-smelling gift on your own. If you’re willing to commit a little time and effort, homemade bath bomb ingredients can be bought in bulk and they’re not super difficult to make. If you’re looking for something even easier, these love potion bottles are adorable, and you can find all of the materials at a dollar store or craft supply outlet.

A Mix Tape

Okay, so maybe mix tapes are a little 80s, but a mix CD or a playlist can be a great modern take on the classic present. CDs are inexpensive and playlists are usually free to create. Whether it’s for your BFF, new relationship or long-term partner, a mix of your own creation shows that you had to put some thought into their gift to make it just right.

Your Art

Think of this as the adult take on those popsicle stick crafts you used to make in grammar school. If you have talent, use it! Write a love poem, film a blog message, paint a portrait or compose a song—the more effort you put into your project, the more meaningful it’ll be!

A Little Note

What better gift to give on Valentine’s Day than a classic paper valentine? Pick up some pretty stationary or opt for those character themed valentines you passed out in middle school. Either way, your friends or partner will appreciate the gesture. If you’re feeling extra sweet, tape a little candy on, or tie a tag on some homemade cupcakes.

Your Time

Spending time with someone you love can be an amazing gift and it’s completely free. Put your phone in a drawer and devote the entire day to your partner, or have the girls over for a movie. You could also opt to make your family’s day, and allot an hour or two to a phone call for some catch up time.

A “Favorite” of Yours

This one involves a little bit of sacrifice. Whether it’s a well-loved t-shirt or your favorite book, consider giving your partner one of your favorites straight out of your room. It’s the sort of gift that says “I love you enough to trust you with this,” and it allows them to hold onto a little piece of you; super romantic!

Alternately, you can buy a second copy of that favorite book, or if you’re looking for a present for a few ladies, tubes of your favorite drugstore mascara.

A Photo Album

If you’ve been with your partner or have known your friends for a while, you probably have quite a few photos of your adventures just sitting on your phone or on Facebook. Try printing them out and compiling them into an album! You can also use sites like Snapfish or Chatbooks to compile the photos online.

This Valentine’s Day, the important thing is that you surround yourself and those close to you with love. No matter what you give, just be sure that it comes with an “I love you!”

Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Gifts