Valentines (& Galentines) Dates on a Budget
With Valentine’s Day coming up, some of us students may (understandably) be in a bit of a bit of a pickle planning out the “perfect day”. You may feel pressure to do it all, but on a student budget everything may feel just a little bit out of reach. I promise you, there is no need to fear! Your Valentines date or Galantines festivities can be affordable while remaining absolutely priceless!
A special day does not have to have a large price tag attached to it, and a great time with friends doesn’t have to break the bank. Personally, I think its extra special to have a good time on Valentines Day without having to feed into the endless consumerist cycle of the holiday. I may be biased as a creative, but I think a little DIY moment is almost always the way to go. Let’s get crafty!
A Craft Night Fit for Royalty
Personally, I think everyone should take holidays like Valentines Day as an excuse to live it up a little regarding joy and whimsy. We all deserve to feel like the kings and queens we are, and I think that this little craft night is the perfect way to go about it as students! I reminisce on elementary school parties with sweet notes, treats, paper crowns, and loving crafts and I really feel like we should bring that back. Valentine’s day is a perfect opportunity to get your friends together and to let your inner child be free. Get your paper, glitter pens, and craft supplies out and enjoy a collaborative night of creativity. I highly recommend a little princess hat decorating night! This craft is fairly easy, requires minimal supplies, and allows for a whole bunch of personalization. With any leftover paper and supplies, this is a great opportunity to write letters of love and gratitude for everyone at the table!
A Groovy Evening
Looking to do something a little more active? A dance lesson, dance social, or even a Just Dance session in your apartment is a super fun way to get moving with someone special! If you’re looking to go the more in-person instruction route, check out UVM’s Ballroom and Swing Society’s Valentine’s Dance Social Fundraiser. Tickets are only $7 for a beginner friendly Rumba lesson and social dancing! If more formal dance isn’t really your style and you’re a bit competitive, turn on Just Dance and get ready to battle! Don’t have a console to play it on? Don’t worry! You can find many Just Dance playthroughs to follow along with on YouTube!
A “Candlelight” Dinner
Feeling like a chef? With the proper prep and the right mindset, lovely meals can be possible even in the dorms. If you’re looking for some recipe inspiration, I highly recommend checking out the dinner section in our Easy Meals for College Students blog! If shopping for a home-cooked meal sounds intimidating cost-wise to you at the moment, check out local food pantries! Rallycat’s Cupboard is a spectacular on campus pantry run by students. Set up some candles and get that DIY brain grooving. You don’t need to go out and buy fancy decor if that’s not accessible to you. With some colorful markers, a creative brain, and sheets of paper, anything is possible. Placemats, cards, and even flowers made from paper are possible if you put your mind to it! If you know how to crochet look up patterns for things you might be needing! Acknowledging the fact that at least half of us live in dorms, I heavily suggest checking out faux electronic candles if that’s where you’re at. You can still achieve that romantic ambience without landing you and your date some trouble from the RAs or the fire alarms.
A Romcom Watch Party
Do you have access to a TV, a friend with a Netflix subscription, and some popcorn to devour? Grab your friends, lover, and/or crush and host a romcom watch party! While I of course trust your judgement on movies I do have a couple recommendations if you’re stumped on what to watch. “But I’m a Cheerleader” is a spectacular campy queer movie completely worth the watch. You might laugh. You might cry. But it is a must see. If you’re looking for a fun sing-along classis “Mama Mia” is absolutely the way to go and is totally bingeable with the addition of “Mama Mia – Here we Go Again”. Finally, “10 Things I Hate About You” is a must watch and my absolute favorite romcom of all time. If you haven’t seen it, literally what are you waiting for? Get cozy, get popcorn, and get binging with your loved ones!
Writing credits to the wonderful Emily K!
