Valentine’s Day on a budget
Poor-college-student syndrome is sweeping campus possibly as a result of Valentine’s Day. Even if students have only a few dollars in the bank, the chances for romance are not disappearing.
There are many activities in the Fargo-Moorhead area that are easy on the wallet. When clueless about how to impress a special lady or gentleman, some experienced NDSU students have advice on non-pricey dates.
“ Go to the dike and go sledding, and then go to Nichole’s Fine Pastry,” Jenna Barenthsen, an English sophomore, said. “It’s a cute and quiet little place. The lemon curd cake is fantastic.”
Many restaurants throughout F-M offer two for the price of one appetizers after 9 or 9:30 p.m., some of which include Applebee’s and Mexican Village.
“ Buffalo Wild Wings is always good,” Caleb Drahosh, an English sophomore, said. “Then have a snowball fight.”
Snowballs may not be a good idea though, depending on the apparel of a date.
“ Go ice skating, and then out for hot chocolate,” Andrea Klisch, a dietetics junior, said. “Two hot chocolates is under $5, and you’re guaranteed a little physical contact while ice skating.”
A little romantic picnic can help lead to a good mood throughout the date, Bethany Ascheman, an architecture junior, said. Another touch to the evening is to personalize a CD of romantic music.
“ Then drive outside the city with your picnic, listen to the CD and gaze at the stars,” she said.
There are also opportunities for those who want to make their date think a lot of cash was spent.
Roses can be hard to find at a cheap price, especially during holidays like Valentine’s Day. Country Greenery, in Moorhead, has inexpensive roses for sale. To seal the deal, buying a vase at Savers will lessen the expense, Anthony Wolf, an architecture senior, said.
“ She’ll think you spent at least $30 or $40 on that; I kid you not,” he said. “And then it doesn’t matter what you do.”
Eating at a fast-food restaurant can seem like a romantic getaway for two by using some imagination.
“ Cut the burgers in the shape of a heart, and create a platter with the burgers and fries,” Wolf said.
Adding a tablecloth and long candles could make the date think of a night on the town instead of a restaurant that asks if the customer wants fries with the order.
For those who don’t mind spending a quiet night at home, some people put a new twist on the old dinner-and-movie formula.
“ Go to the grocery store and get pizza fixings, then rent a movie,” Melissa Boblitt, a business administration junior, said. “When you get home, make the pizza together and then watch the movie.”
Baking a pizza from scratch can allow some creativity with pizza toppings. One way to surprise the date is to make a message out of the pizza toppings or place them in the shape of a heart. Baking can allow time for fun and flirtatious food fighting, plus the ability to show off some cooking skills.
On-campus students can also have the same fun even without the oven.
“ Have dinner at the (West Dining Center), then borrow a movie from the hall office,” Kristi Boen, an animal and range science junior, said. Residence halls on campus have a library of movies to choose from, plus it’s free.
Valentine’s Day can be memorable for anyone.
Couples might consider spending the time to create the moment instead of buying it.