The Cheapest Valentine’s Date Ever!
Michael Garshick, M'11
For some Valentine’s Day is a time filled with passion, excitement, and love; for others it is just a Hallmark holiday. But whether something simple like a phone call to loved ones, to the complex…an anti-Valentine’s Day party, most of us still celebrate. So what happens when your girl/boy friend/fiancé/spouse/anyone demands an event and you’re flat broke? Well read this article and you can get away with: The cheapest Valentine’s Day EVER.
Disclaimer: When mentioning the significant other, I will from personal experience be referring to a “girlfriend:” You may feel free to insert any title you wish.
I have determined three separate occasions when you should use the advice listed below; however there could be many more. And, while I may throw out ideas, I do not specifically endorse, nor plan to use all of the ones mentioned.
Scenario 1
You’re flat broke but are really into her, want to shower her with affection, and with this kind of love you obviously have to do something very mushy.
- One idea given to me by two lovely blondes (so you know it has to be good): buy a bag of Hershey’s kisses, sprinkle them all over her floor and bed and write in a note, “I kiss the ground you walk on,” She will melt into your arms, I promise.
- Candlelight dinner. This is an oldie but goodie. Prove to her that you know her favorite food, wine, and flowers. Download some simple recipes, make sure housemates aren’t around and you’re golden!
- Spa Night! Clean her place, grab some scented candles, rose peddles, moisturizer (for a massage), and warm some clean towels in the dryer. For an extra special touch, play some of her favorite music and get her favorite candies.
- Creative Cat. Grab some pictures of the two of you and make a memory book. Supplement this with little notes telling her how much you care.
Scenario 2
You two just started dating. You're not really sure where this is going, and for whatever reason do not want to invest a lot of time or resources into Valentine’s Day just yet.
- Go to the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s free with a Tufts ID (20-25 dollars otherwise). You will spend some time together, talk about likes and dislikes, and just get to know each other.
- Grab some take-out from a favorite restaurant, rent a suitable movie, and watch it at home. You can play some board games, anything. Just make a night of it.
- Take a road trip to somewhere she’s never been. For example, Newport, RI in the winter is a perfect relaxation destination. Even in the cold, walking the cliff walk and viewing the mansions can be pretty special.
- Make dinner together. Don’t go too romantic--nothing overtly fancy--but use the time to compare cooking skills and investigate compatibility.
Scenario 3
You are not really into the girl, are planning to break up with her, but feel bad and want to wait until after Valentine’s Day.
- Buy her some really inappropriate sexy lingerie. At the very worst she will get pissed and break up with you, and at best, she'll be wearing it for your last fling.
- Tell her you are giving her a special, unique tour of Boston. Get a MBTA bus ticket, and put her on the CT1. This is a great route which goes through parts of Cambridge, over the Charles and into Back Bay. I wouldn’t necessarily expect her to talk to you again.
- Attend the anti-Valentine’s Day party at Gypsy bar with Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor Kevin Federline (I swear to god, Mr. Spears himself is going to be in little old Boston). As soon as K-Fed starts hitting on her she’ll get the hint, trust me.
- Go see a movie. If you see "Rambo," you won’t have to talk at all. You’ll enjoy it, and if she does too, maybe you shouldn’t break up just yet.