Spreading love on a budget: enjoying Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank
By Zi Yu, from Malaysia, studying Electronics and Computer Science
Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or just enjoying the day solo, there are plenty of ways to make 14 February special without spending a fortune. Here are some fun, affordable, and even free ways to celebrate at university.
Dinner together
Personally, I would not like to celebrate eating alone in my kitchen, so why not gather friends or your special someone and cook a feast together! Everyone makes a dish, and you can create a feast for a fraction of the cost. You could even set a theme like “Queen of Hearts”, “Crazy Rich Asians” or even cook a dish that starts with the same letter as your name!
Movie night in
I love watching rom-coms with my friends. To make Valentine’s more interesting, why not pick an anti-Valentine’s movie instead! Grab some chocolate and popcorn, and enjoy the evening screaming, crying, laughing with good vibes and company.
Secret admirer gift exchange
Instead of spending a fortune on gifts, why not turn it into a fun surprise? You and your friends can set a small budget and do a Secret Admirer Gift Exchange! Just like Secret Santa, everyone gets assigned someone to buy for—but the twist is, they won’t know who their mystery gift-giver is until the big reveal! It’s a budget-friendly way to spread some love and excitement!
Valentine’s game night
Grab your favorite board games, shuffle up some cards, or even put your knowledge to the test with a Valentine’s-themed trivia night! Add a little friendly competition with fun prizes like chocolates, cute handwritten notes, or homemade “coupon” favors (think: “good for one coffee run” or “free movie night pick”). It’s all about the laughs and good vibes!
Final thoughts
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive to be special. Whether you’re celebrating with your partner, your besties, or just having a little self-love moment, the best memories come from the fun, not the price tag. However you spend it, make sure it’s full of laughter, love, and good company.
So, what are your Valentine’s plans this year? Let me know in the comments.
Read Abigail’s blog for more ideas about building and maintaining relationships at university
