The Story
Be My Valentine?
It’s that time of year again. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the mushy-feel-good-love-is-in-the-air holiday that you either despise or adore- the ever dreaded, ever anticipated Valentine’s Day. For some of us, this day is just another reminder that we’re single...and not loving it, while for others its one of the rare occasions where openly celebrating your love is still annoying, but slightly more acceptable (though you may remain the target of irritated glowers should you choose to celebrate in public).
In all seriousness though, let’s drop the cynicism. There’s no reason why Valentine’s Day can’t be an enjoyable holiday for everyone. I’ve compiled a few ideas for Valentine’s Day participators of all shapes and sizes. But the best part? They’re all suited for a college kid’s budget.
All the single ladies (and gentlemen): Wallowing in self pity is simply an unacceptable way to spend your Valentine’s Day. It is okay if you don’t have romantic plans, but that’s no reason not to celebrate at all. Sometimes, the best kind of love to celebrate is that between friends. So invite the posse over for some feel-good friend movies (try The Breakfast Club, Clueless, E.T., or Dumb and Dumber- all available at Swem), toss in a few bags of chips, some chocolate and some age-appropriate beverages, and you’ve got a party.
Cynics: If the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day feels something akin to contracting VD, you may not even be in the mood to celebrate your friendships with a gooey movie. In addition to boycotting flower and chocolate giving, it could be fun to protest all forms of romance with an Anti-Valentine’s Day movie marathon. Try slasher movies like My Bloody Valentine, Carrie, or Friday the 13th.
First Date Jitters? First of all, if you’ve mustered up the gusto to propose a first date on Valentine’s Day, congratulations! You, my friend, have attained a level of boldness rarely embarked upon by the modern dater. That being said, because Valentine’s Day is such a romantic holiday, you may come on too strong if you jump right into the candle light and star-gazing ambiance. So it’s probably best to make your first date less romantic and more... adventurous. If you’re looking for something casual but fun, try grabbing a drink at Tropical Smoothie or Starbucks, followed by a trip to PetSmart. It may seem unconventional, but PetSmart almost always has a plethora of cuddly little kittens to play with, and it’s free! If (1) PetSmart is suffering from a lack of kittens, (2) your date is allergic or (3) you’re in the mood to continue an awesome date, channel your inner child. Find a toy store and get into a little trouble. Just clown around for awhile. There’s nothing like getting kicked out of a toy store to make you feel adventurous. (Allow me to give credit to a friend for this particular date idea. Logan, thanks for showing me the greatest time on our post-prom adventure!)
Show me the romance. If you’ve been dating for awhile or you’re in a committed relationship, Valentine’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity to show just how much you care, which means it’s totally legit to go overboard. If you really want to do something special, try preparing dinner for your special someone (*note to guys- there’s nothing sexier than a man who can cook, but if you aren’t gifted with sexy chef skills, Chinese takeout is always a good substitute). To make things super romantic, you can take your meal outside, lay a blanket on the sunken gardens, and do some stargazing. Remember that it may be chilly, but the fact that we’re still enduring winter weather this year means you have a legitimate excuse to cuddle and do some major snogging, if you’re so inclined.
Creative Solutions: If you’re of a creative nature, it is completely appropriate to put your skills to good use for your Valentine’s Day date. Have fun with a scavenger hunt. Leave clues all over campus to lead your date somewhere special- for example a floor picnic in her room. Feeling really romantic? For every clue you leave, give her a little gift (dollar tree has a great selection of candy, cards and teddy bears). Short on cash? Try writing something that you really love about her on your clue instead.
Above all, in the immortal words of someone incredibly dweeby: “Don’t hate, appreciate.” Valentine’s Day can be fun for everyone so long as you spend it with the people you love (romantically or otherwise).
Speaking of appreciating, if there are any single, attractive, kind gentlemen out there who’d like to appreciate me on Valentine’s Day, I’m still looking! ;-)