Feeling Cupid’s pinch? How to survive Valentine’s Day on a student budget

Posted on February 8, 2016

You can’t buy happiness, this is a common saying, and the same goes for romance; you could throw cash at it, but at the end of the day, it’s the thought that really does count.

Despite this, you can’t help but feel slightly under pressure to throw out the big romance guns during the month of love, and if you feel slightly worried about the impending visit of Cupid on Valentine’s Day, here’s a few ideas to tide you over, and reassure you that cash doesn’t equal love with a capital L.

Get crafty

Receiving a gift which is handmade is without a doubt one of the most thoughtful avenues to go down. You don’t have to suddenly take up knitting and craft one of the most intricate designs going, and you don’t need to be

Picasso to draw up a masterpiece – simply head down to your local craft shop and get inspired. Decopatch is a great suggestion – perhaps make an ornament or a photo frame, or maybe you could make a Valentine’s Day card rather than buying one. A handmade gift means you thought about their likes and dislikes, and you spent time on it – no major investment money-wise needed.

The way to the heart is through the stomach

Cook their favourite meal! It’s simple but it’s very effective. You don’t have to go to an expensive restaurant for a fancy meal to get the same effect, simply use a few candles, dim the lights, find some romantic music on You Tube, and get cooking their favourite dish. It’s thoughtful, it’s cheap, it’s effective, and it guarantees a great night.

Nothing says love like a cake

Give your loved one’s stomach a major wow effect by crafting your own homemade cake. You don’t need to be Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood to bake up a storm, because let’s face it, nearly everybody loves a cake, whether it’s a veritable masterpiece or not. Again, get yourself down to your nearest craft shop and find a few trinkets to throw on top of it, peruse the internet for the best recipe and throw in something they like in particular, such as chocolate or icing; we guarantee they will have a smile on their face.

There’s nothing cheesy about music

If you have a penchant for the guitar or the piano, or perhaps singing, write a song and perform it. It might sound cheesy but can you imagine the response?

Picture it …

You could combine the idea of making something with capturing a moment here. Make a photo frame and then put your favourite photo of the two of you inside it. This is a double whammy and one of the most thoughtful things you can do.

Remember to set a budget

To avoid any awkward moments on the big day itself, have a conversation about it beforehand, and set a budget. It doesn’t have to be a huge budget, because when you’re a student you basically don’t have the cash to burn, but knowing how much you’re going to spend on each other avoids the ‘she spent more than me’, or ‘he didn’t spend anything near what I spent’ awkward and possibly resentful thoughts.

Cheap and cheerful activities

Look on voucher apps and websites before the big day to see if you can find something a little different with a good price tag, such as ice skating or horse riding. Laughing and learning something new is a great way to bond and will certainly be something to remember. Maybe you can use essay writing service as a gift to make her or his student life easier!

These ideas prove you don’t need to break the bank to be romantic!