Budget-Friendly Date Ideas for Students This Valentine’s Day
Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. Whether you’re celebrating a university romance, want to let your housemates know how much they mean to you or are enjoying single life at uni, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the day of love and romance – especially if you’re trying to make your student loan go further this semester. If you’re looking for ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget, including great wallet-friendly DIY gift ideas, you’ve come to the right place.
The Best Valentine’s Day Date Ideas on a Student Budget
Don’t let being a broke student get in the way of Cupid’s arrow! These great Valentine’s Day date ideas bring the romance – without the big receipt.
Cook a meal together
Swap your meal out for a romantic meal in for two by cooking up a storm in one of your kitchens. There are plenty of easy student recipes that even the most clumsy of chefs can pull together, including tasty Thai curries, a classic spag bol and cheesy Mexican feasts. With some lit candles and chocolate puddings for dessert, your student kitchen will soon be giving the high-end restaurants in your city a run for their money.
Paint some pottery
Go home with a kooky decoration or one-of-a-kind mug by going to a pottery class with your date. Wherever you are in the UK, you won’t have to go far to find pottery painting classes, including many ‘sculpt and sip’ classes where you can get messy while enjoying a few drinks or two. Make sure you’ve got a Pinterest board of ideas ready before you start painting, or equally, why not paint something for your partner as their very own personalised Valentine’s Day present?
Watch a student performance
For any theatre kids looking to surprise their equally theatrical other half, a student performance is just the ticket – especially if one of your mutual friends is the star of the show! Drama societies at university are always running shows, with everything from musicals to comedy performances on the bill. Tickets usually cost no more than a fiver, and you’d be surprised at just how great the actors turn out to be. West End, who is she?
Decorate biscuits
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, biscuit baking and decorating will always go down a treat. You can grab decorating kits from most supermarkets, including fun edible additions like silver pearls and gum drops in the baking aisle. Better still, make your biscuits or cookies from scratch with your date – nothing makes a student house smell better than freshly baked treats!
Go for a walk in nature
Get off campus and out of the city (or town!) by going for a romantic walk in nature with your Valentine. While great British weather isn’t always guaranteed in February, a nature stroll is an easy way to enjoy some private time together away from crowded student houses and busy lecture halls. If you can, look for a route with a pub at the end. After all, there’s nothing better than a crisp pint after a walk!
Visit a museum or art gallery
With countless museums and art galleries across the UK totally free to enter, a cute little culture trip is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget. You can find your nearest cultural centre online, or else head to some of our favourites below:
- The Natural History Museum in London
- The Barber Institue of Fine Art in Birmingham
- The National Railway Museum in York
- Brighton’s Booth Museum of Natural History
- The Cartoon Museum in London
- The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
- The National Football Museum in Manchester
Spend the night stargazing
For a true slice of movie romance at university, get away from the city lights by going stargazing for an evening. Make sure to bring along plenty of blankets, snacks and hot drinks to keep yourself toasty and warm while you’re on the lookout for Orion’s Belt. We recommend also downloading a star map online before you go to make it easier to identify exactly what you’re looking at, or else use an app like SkyView.
DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts for Students
Presents aren’t everything on Valentine’s Day. However, a thoughtful gift can make a big difference – especially if you’re new to a relationship or just a hopeless romantic! These DIY Valentine’s Day gifts are great for students looking to give a little extra.
Photo books
Print some of the best photos from your phone into a book, perfect for flicking through together and reminiscing about some of the great times you’ve had so far. There are tons of student deals on photo printing so you don’t have to spend much to make memories.
100-date bucket list
The only thing better than giving the gift of one date, is giving the gift of 100. Make your own 100 Dates Bucket List poster for your partner, including all the fun date ideas you’ve spoken about before. You can then take it in turns to choose one for your next date night!
Music playlist
A retro DIY gift, but one that works every time! If your partner’s Spotify Wrapped is stacked in listening hours, make them a playlist for Valentine’s Day. You could do a list of songs that remind you of them, or even a list that mixes both your music tastes into one.
Love letters
They might sound gushy, but love letters are always appreciated by those who receive them. It doesn’t have to be a Shakespearean sonnet either – anything personal will go a long way, even if it’s silly!
Handmade cards
Rather than heading to Clintons or the Card Factory, try making your own Valentine’s Day card for your date. You’d be amazed to see what you can come up with using a pritt stick, some gems and colourful paints.
5 Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day at University
There’s more to celebrate than just romantic connections at Valentine’s. Galentines, also known as Palentines, is the idea that we should also celebrate our friendships! If you’re marking this holiday with your bestie by your side, here’s what you can do.
Host a pot dinner
The best way to catch up with your friends? Hosting a pot dinner, of course! Get your pals to each bring a plate of food over and share the dishes family style. The easiest way to host a pot dinner is to create a list and post it to the group chat. That way, everyone can pick what’s easiest for them to bring, and you won’t miss out on anything bringing chocolate pudding!
Take a trip out of the city
You can feel a little cooped up in your university town or city after a while. That’s why a trip out to somewhere new is a great way to celebrate Galentine’s Day with your pals. With student railcards promising ⅓ train fares, it’s easy to see the country while sticking to your budget. London students – why not explore the city a bit more or head down to Brighton? Those in the North – Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and York are just on your doorstep!
Pamper yourself with a spa night
Galentines and pampering go hand in hand! With a spa night, you can indulge in some much-needed home treatments, while also prioritising your wellbeing. DIY facials, manicures and even massages, you don’t have to spend a lot of money at a spa to relax with your friends. Why not make a group trip to Superdrug or Boots to grab some supplies before you get started – that way no one will be left without a face mask!
Have a movie marathon
Fancy watching your favourite romcom again? Or putting on that film from when you were younger that you haven’t seen in years? A movie marathon is a great way to celebrate Galentines, especially if you have access to Netflix, Prime and Disney+ between you! Get comfy with blankets, pillows and snacks, before pressing play on your TV. If you don’t have a telly in the house, go splits on a projector to watch your film on the wall!
Buy for a secret Valentine
Make sure all your friends get a gift this Valentine’s Day by doing secret valentines. Draw names from a bowl and rise to the challenge of buying a small gift for your assigned friend. To make it fair, remember to add a budget. You could also ask everyone to get creative and make their gifts by hand for some seriously special present giving!
Whether you’re in a happy relationship or enjoying university single, Happy Valentine’s Day from Ivory Research!
