Just as you thought your wallet was recovering from the holidays, Cupid strikes his arrow right into your bank account. Money signs fill your head as you calculate how much it is going to cost to satisfy that special someone. Before you have a breakdown, take a breath and remember that you are a college student. There will be many years to come for the jewelry, weekend vacations and five-star restaurants.
This Valentine's Day, I've tried to help everyone have an affordable day of love, because it really is the thought that counts.
An Alphabet of Love A little more extensive than a simple card is a hand-made book. Take 14 pieces of paper and fold them together connected by a ribbon. Put a single letter on each page and create an alphabet book expressing feelings or memories for each letter. For example, "'A is for 'always' because I will always love you." This might sound corny, but your E will definitely stand for effort.
Cardboard Love-Bug and a Movie Don't feel like dishing out $20 for a movie and another $20 on parking? Take a large cardboard box and cut off one side, saving it for later. Paint the box red and use the remaining side to create a steering wheel by cutting a large circle and painting it black. Invite your loved one over and cuddle inside the box-car while you watch a movie on your laptop. Bonus? The box will probably be smaller than your car, allowing for closer contact.
A Public Display of Affection If you truly like someone then you shouldn't be afraid to show it. Make fliers expressing your sentiments and post them around campus. Your crush will be sure to blush as he or she sees your sweet words upon every turn.
An Explosive Kiss Chocolate is overdone. Anyone can pick up a heart-shaped box of sweets at CVS. To make the day a little more special for your sweetheart, write a few love notes and fill a balloon with the papers and various candies. After blowing up the balloon and tying the knot, take tinfoil and cover the creation, shaping it like a Hershey Kiss. Chances are, when the kiss is opened, the balloon will explode into a sweet surprise.
Desktop of Passion Living in a technology age, what is better than a present that your loved one can look at every day on the computer? I personally don't have the technical knowledge to accomplish this task, but my friend's boyfriend sent her a file one Valentine's Day. When she opened it, there were various items that, when she downloaded them, changed her desktop to a picture of the two of them-and her cursor into a heart.
Homemade Heart Hotel Maybe you can't afford to reserve a room at the Ritz, but why not bring the hotel home? Decorate your room like a honeymoon suite, with fresh flowers, chocolate on the pillows, rose petals on the bed and soothing music. Then serve your date room service in bed. You can even throw in a massage on the house.
A Manly Bouquet Valentine's Day for men is extremely difficult. They probably won't appreciate jewelry or flowers, but that doesn't mean they can't have a bouquet.
Create a bouquet for your beau, replacing the flowers for "manly" objects such as grilling tools, golf balls, poker chips or boxers.
A Boom for the Babe Painting the cannon is a Tufts tradition. So why not kill two birds with one stone and fulfill this college pasttime while expressing your love for that special someone? Buy some spray paint and get crazy!
The Cutest Crossword Does your sweetie tear out the crossword section of the Daily each day? Give him or her a special crossword for Valentine's Day by making it yourself. First, create a list of words and hints that represent memories and times spent together.
Next, enter the information onto www.puzzle-maker.com/CW/ and watch as your puzzle is instantaneously generated.
This gift is not only fun to give, but enjoyable to watch as your honey fills in the blanks.
