Valentines’ day rolls around every year, and whilst we know it might not be everybody’s cup of tea, it’s the perfect excuse to spread the love and show the most important people in your life how much they mean to you. You certainly don’t need to be in a relationship to enjoy Valentine’s Day- why not spend the day with the friends or family you love most? It could also be the perfect excuse to pamper yourself too! As a student living in Lancaster, we understand that you may not have tonnes of spare cash, therefore here in the IPM office, we’ve put our heads together and come up with a list of different things you can do to celebrate Valentine’s Day that certainly won’t break the bank.
Cook at home
Why not have a go at cooking a 3-course meal at home for your Valentine’s Day celebration? There’s no better way to show someone how much they mean to you than making a home-cooked meal. You could each take a different course, one could do the starter and the other bake the dessert, or you could treat your partner/friends to a relaxed night off where they enjoy your cooking.
If you’re lacking inspiration, BBC good food has an excellent range of different Valentine’s themed meals that suit everyone. These recipes aren’t too tricky to follow, and they shouldn’t break the bank.
If cooking isn’t your thing, you could always make breakfast in bed, or to make it even easier, get some fresh pastries from Lidl bakery for a more continental approach. As a student living in Lancaster, Lidl and Aldi should already be on your radar as affordable supermarkets to shop at. Even better – they’re both in the city centre and within walking distance of your Lancaster student accommodation.
Gifts
If you do decide to give gifts for Valentine’s Day, they don’t necessarily have to cost you a lot of money. Why not consider buying a Valentine’s Day-themed gift on the day or even a day later (if your loved one doesn’t mind)? That way you can take advantage of the massive discounts! The perfect way to save some pennies.
Homemade gifts are another perfect way to save some money this Valentine’s Day! For a lot of people, a handmade gift can be more sentimental as you have taken the time out of your day to make it. Some ideas for these could include a date night/mate date jar with ideas of different activities for you to do, or a framed photo of you together is always a lovely gift.
Dates
Going out on a romantic/mate date is a nice way to spend Valentine’s Day, and again, it doesn’t have to break the bank! If the weather is clear, why not go on a walk? As students living in Lancaster, you have access to some beautiful spots for walks, why not make some hot chocolate and go for a stroll along some of the most scenic routes the city has to offer, such as up at the Ashton Memorial, around the castle grounds or along the canal. Don’t forget, you could always pack up a picnic to take with you.
If the weather is grim and you’re not able to get out, there are still plenty of fun things you can do in your Lancaster student accommodation, such as a movie day, gaming competition or as we said earlier, cooking yourselves a fancy 3-course meal.
Whatever you decide to do this Valentine’s Day, the team at IPM Lancaster hopes you have a brilliant day filled with love and laughter. To keep up to date with all things Lancaster and student housing, visit our blog page for more.