Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day 2013 approaches.
Thirteen billion dollars will be spent on Valentine’s Day this year with the average consumer spending $117, according to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association.
Though flower bouquets, elegant dinners and lustrous jewelry are all great gifts to give, they’re not usually in the price range of most college students. However, you don’t need lots of money to make your special someone feel loved on Valentine’s Day. Here is a list of date ideas, whether you’re with a friend or a significant other, which are frugal yet memorable.
5. A Night at the Museum: Local museums are perfect for a fun outing at a low price. North Carolina is home to a variety of museums, like the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of History. There is sure to be something that you and your friend or loved one can enjoy. Museums are an ideal choice because most of them offer free admission. Museums that don’t have free admission are sure to have low-ticket prices, and don’t forget to ask about student discounts. You and your valentine are sure to have a great time, and make even greater memories.
4. Movie Night In: Whether it’s through Netflix, Redbox or the local library, you can turn a dull night at home into an entertaining evening. Rent copies of your favorite movies or television series. Compliment them with some traditional movie food like popcorn and candy, or your valentine’s favorite snacks. “Dinner and a movie” is a classic date idea, and this adaptation makes things more personal while also being a lot easier on your wallet.
3. Jazz Things Up: Around Valentine’s Day, local coffee houses and bars often host musical events. These events usually have a modest cover charge and can vary from live music to spoken word to even karaoke. Activities like these are perfect for surprising your valentine with a spontaneous and enjoyable outing.
2. A Picture Perfect Evening: Go with your friend or valentine to places that hold significance for the both of you and take pictures. At the end of the night, go back home and make scrapbooks for each other. A trip down memory lane will remind you of how far you’ve come, and how happy you make each other. They say a picture is worth a thousand words – use the scrapbook to say all of the things you couldn’t otherwise.
1. Take the Scenic Route: Treat your valentine to a night with nature, a simple walk through the park, a tread down a nature trail or a nice stroll on the beach – anywhere you and your special someone can be alone with nature. Take in the beauty of the environment and landscapes around you. Watch the sun set or look at the stars. People rarely take the time to observe the phenomena of the beautiful world around them. Nature will provide the perfect backdrop for an evening of relaxation and breathtaking scenery.
If done right, these five ideas will help create great Valentine’s Day memories.
“The most important thing about Valentine’s Day is being around the people you care about,” said freshman Allison Pichowicz. “Their presence is the best gift.”