Unique gifts to the rescue

College students on a tight budget may not be able to afford an extravagant Valentine's day.  Here are some ideas that may make Valentine's Day a little more special and a little less expensive. 

The crucial element in any successful Valentine's Day is the thought.  So, put a lot of thought into a well-planned Valentine's date at home.  The ingredients for a memorable day are a great gift, a delicious meal and time spent together. 

"Just spending the day with someone you love is the most important thing about Valentine's Day," said Austin Seybert, junior music education major.

A gift can make or break Valentine's Day.  Instead of splurging on diamond earrings or a new coat, opt for an inexpensive and personal homemade gift basket.  Be creative and thoughtful when assembling the basket.

Include several small gifts, such as homemade chocolates or truffles, balloons with personal messages inside, a colorful flower arrangement made out of construction paper, a homemade card, a new playlist for the iPod, a personalized valentine or a picture collage. 

Valentine's Day does not have to mean reservations at the most expensive restaurant in town.  If going out to eat is a must, then go in the afternoon for a less expensive lunch.  Also, celebrate Valentine's Day a couple days before or after Feb. 14 to avoid Valentine's Day prices and crowds. 

  Surprise them with a homemade candle-lit dinner, or spend quality time cooking together.  Any meal can be turned into a Valentine's Day creation by cutting it into the shape of a heart.  Many great recipes can be found online, so don't be scared to try something new.  Even if the meal doesn't turn out perfectly, they will be impressed with the thought.

Instead of going out to a movie, stop by a local Wal-Mart or Walgreens and grab a DVD from RedBox for $1, or borrow a classic from a friend, such as "10 Things I Hate About You," "50 First Dates" or "The Notebook."

"Watching a romance movie and having a candle-lit dinner would be the best Valentine's Day," said Katie Ferber, junior music education major.

Board games are always a great, economical way to spend quality time with loved ones. One option is to put a twist on Pictionary, Taboo or Charades, by only using words that are associated with Valentine's Day. 

The time does not have to be expensive or boring.  Chances are after a significant other reads the heart-felt homemade card, the amount of money that was spent on Valentine's Day will be the furthest thing from their mind. 

Kelly Crouch can be contacted at crouch16@marshall.edu.