Let’s face it – Valentines day isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I realised a while back that there are two kinds of people when it comes to Cupid’s day of love, and both are very different and very extreme. You get those who absolutely love the idea and go a bit mad with the whole thing – such as my first ever ‘boyfriend’ at the tender age of eight. I arrived at school with a quick homemade card placed scruffily inside an envelope I’d stolen from my mum. What did he turn up with?
Oh geez, I cringe at the thought. He strutted into class with a handmade card in a heart shape – yes, I’m serious, he had (badly) attempted to create a heart with his PINK card. Alongside this was a heart shaped door hang which I was supposed to proudly hang on my door handle for all to see!? The generic teddy bear – which I later learned he stole from his sister, and a very pretty, ‘Matilda’ looking chocolate from Miss Truchball’s beloved box of treats. I was really impressed with that, until I bit into the actual thing and spat it back out immediately. Of course, it was one of those alcoholic chocolates (definitely stolen from his parents!) I thought it best to dump him after that. I don’t think my parents would have condoned underage drinking.
I probably fall into the opposite category. Soppy, overdone romance really doesn’t do it for me. I wouldn’t say I’m at the extreme side of this category though! Roses are sexy, but agonizing for hours over a daisy chain for me to wear as a necklace on the day really isn’t going to impress me. But I think that’s the same for most of us out there! Romance is good if it’s done in a correct and perhaps, subtle way?
So – for those of you who don’t quite know when too much is ACTUALLY too much, here’s a quick and easy guide on how to impress your other half. And because we’re all students who often can’t afford the finer things in life [well, not just yet], I’ve come up with budget ideas to get you through. Hopefully there won’t be any broken hearts this year, or bank balances.
1) LOVE:
It’s important to remember that this day is about spending it with someone you love or care deeply about. I know someone who used to receive a valentines card from her mum, just as a reminder that she loved her. It doesn’t always need to be a celebration of romantic love – Any kind of love is worth celebrating surely? What I’m trying to say is that essentially, just being there is enough.
2) FOOD:
Sure, gifts and expensive meals out are nice, but they aren’t necessary! Not all girls appreciate the finer things in life… we’re all prone to a Dominos pizza – or two! At least if I want to get cookies (if I’m eating the devils food then I may as well go all out!) I can, because it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than the Ritz!
Try making a nice meal. It’s really not that expensive if you plan ahead. A pasta bake is definitely better than super noodles, especially if you manage to afford the cheese to top it all off! Lay off the vodka for a week or so and you’ll soon be affording these luxuries! No seriously, I can’t believe how expensive cheese really is!?!
If you’re hell bent on going out for dinner then don’t feel like it’s impossible. There are loads of places that offer 2-for-1 deals and vouchercodes.co.uk offer some great coupons! And if you’re a little embarrassed to be using the things, do it sneakily. Gents, ask your lady to stay seated whilst you ‘deal with things’. Ladies, you could excuse yourself to go to the ladies room and pop to the till on your way!
3) GIFT:
Now you don’t need to go mental! Yes, it’s a ‘Hallmark holiday’ but that doesn’t mean you have to spend half of your student finance on love tokens! Try getting your valentine a present that means something. A photo album full of your memories with a few pages left at the end reserved for ‘the future…’ Get them a book from their favourite author? Or make them a CD with their favourite songs? It doesn’t need to be a creepy love tape with Celion Dion best hits or Seal’s ‘A Kiss from a Rose.’ It just takes a little thought.
Guys – Flowers are the symbol of romance for many (though not all!) and hopefully you know if your valentine appreciates what nature has to offer. But that doesn’t mean ordering the most expensive bouquet available from the florists in town. A dozen roses are great but a single rose is sexier! I wouldn’t personally enjoy the sight of a man with a rose placed between his teeth doing his best impression of the tango! But a single rose given in an orderly manner wouldn’t go amiss either. And besides, some might really like the idea of a man doing his best impression of Strictly Come Dancing’s very own Brendan Cole!
I know I earlier criticised the terribly cheesy card but the thought was sweet. And if the card was given to me privately behind the school dustbins, maybe I wouldn’t have minded so much! He might have survived a few more weeks. But on a serious note, special mementos mean more than pointless gifts… we won’t use or perfume that was on sale – for a reason!
Why not try ‘Love Coupons’ as a money saver? One of the best gifts I ever gave was love coupons! You can do whatever you want with them and the ball is in your court. Some may prefer to make things a little saucy – no, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m referring to a homemade lasagne and a glass of wine, thank you very much! Others prefer more practical vouchers such as being chief bed maker for a week or getting up a little earlier to make a fry up. The possibilities are endless.
4) HAVE FUN:
the most important part of the day is to have fun! Don’t stress yourself out about the day! Don’t keep yourself awake at night fretting about how you’re going to afford this and how you’re going to go here, there, or anywhere. It’s likely that your other half will just be happy that you’ve taken the time from your busy schedule (yes, our very busy, work laden schedules…) to spend the day or evening with them. Make sure the time you spend with them is purely just for them. Get your assignment finished before they arrive and get that call with your grandma out of the way in advance.
And for all the singletons out there, do not worry! You can have fun too! Buy yourself whatever comfort food you like because, hey, there’s no other half scrutinising your body and lifestyle habits. You can eat whatever the hell you like, put on a few pounds and no one will even care! You can get together with your other singleton pals and chill out for a quiet night in. And if all else fails, you know what to do… Where’s that vodka you purchased because you weren’t saving the pennies for an overpriced teddy bear? Ah, there it is!