To many people, next Tuesday will be like any other day. It’s not a holiday in the sense that classes are cancelled. Papers will still be due, and exams will proceed as planned. Yet, for several others, February 14 will be anything but ordinary. For some, it is one of the  most exciting days of the year.

Valentine’s Day, also known as Singles Awareness Day, is right around the corner, and although it brings much excitement and anticipation to the Berkeley community—it’s one of the few days in the year where it may be socially acceptable to wear an excessive amount of red—there is no doubt that it also comes with its downsides.

The stress and anxiety that comes with planning the “perfect” date may be overwhelming for some people. There is a pressure to get creative—dinner and a movie gets kind of old—and come up with an original date idea. The task is made even more difficult when you realize that you are a college student and your pockets are not bottomless. How then can you impress without it costing you an arm and a leg?

Here are a few simple and inexpensive yet still fun and romantic date ideas that you may want to try out:

1) Develop Your Own Dialogue

It can be challenging to break away from the classic, tried-and-true “dinner and a movie” date, so for those of you that want to keep it basic but still add a tiny twist to keep things interesting, it’s definitely possible. The concept is simple. Rent a movie you’ve never seen before, set it on mute, and improvise the dialogue. Keep the script studded with humor, and make sure to add a few dramatic situations to spice up the plot. The key thing to remember is that you and your partner must work together; bounce ideas off each other and get inspired by your date. Who knows? Maybe you two will win Best Screenplay at the next Oscars.

2) Post-Its Between the Pages

I don’t know about you, but I personally enjoy trips to the bookstore. Not only am I tempted to buy half of the store’s collection every time I pay a visit, but I am also given the opportunity to grab a novel, find a seat in a cozy corner, and start reading away. The only thing that could possibly make the situation better is if another person were to tag along with me. So for those of you who are avid readers and want to indulge in this pastime with a significant other, try this out: go to your local bookstore and leave post-it notes in your favorite books for future readers. The idea may initially seem bizarre, but think of it as an opportunity for you and your partner to impart wisdom upon strangers. Just think of that awkward high school kid who’s been ordered to read The Catcher in the Rye and is reluctantly picking up a copy to skim, despite his instincts telling him to Sparknotes it instead. Imagine his reaction when he opens the book for the first time and reads the inside front cover where you’ve untidily scrawled some words of encouragement, possibly even with humorous undertones. Tell this kid that Holden Caulfield is your hero, and he would do well to imitate J.D. Salinger’s infamous protagonist. As far as your date, he/she will not only discover the kind of literature you enjoy, but he/she will also see a completely different side of you through the wise words on your Post-Its. The “real” you will be revealed, and not even Mr. Caulfield will be able to call you a “phony.”

3) Stories at Strada

Last year, Complex Magazine published an article featuring the 50 best college coffee shops in America, and Berkeley’s own Caffe Strada made the list, ranking 8^th in the nation. So if you’re the type that loves to sip on a latte or gulp down hot chocolate, invite that special someone to this quaint outdoor café. Get to know each other over coffee, but when this becomes mundane, don’t hesitate to mix things up. Suggest that the two of you write a piece of fiction together. If ever the two of you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask people around you for assistance. The finished product of your writing session may not be the next bestseller. However, the important thing to remember is that this work is the direct result of you and your partner’s joint effort, and that alone makes it memorable. Even if writer’s block takes ahold of you, the sheer fact that you made something together as a couple will surely make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

4) Scavenge Away! (preferably for couples past their first date)

This last date idea is a tad more complex than the first three. It requires a bit more preparation and effort, but it will definitely earn you a ton of creativity points with your date. The concept is simple: organize a scavenger hunt for your partner, taking him/her through all the important times of your relationship. Have him/her meet you at the place where the two of you first met and explain the idea to him/her. Hopefully, he/she agrees, and you can hand him/her the first clue. Make sure you go through the hunt with your partner, leading him/her through the most memorable points in your relationship. This may include the location of your first date, the site of your first kiss, and maybe even the place where you first made love/had sex (whichever term you prefer). Chances are, this date will reignite the sparks the two of you initially felt on your first date. Rekindle the old flame, and remember the reason why the two of you are together in the first place. Show your appreciation for each other, and don’t forget to let the other person know how much you care about them.

Now, these definitely aren’t the only creative and unconventional date ideas out there, but picking one of these would be a good place to start. And even if you may not have a significant other to spend Valentine’s Day with, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with gathering a group of friends at your apartment/dorm and putting on a sappy Nicholas Sparks movie marathon. But no matter your relationship status—from “single” to “it’s complicated”—you can still enjoy February 14. Use this day to hug anyone and everyone you meet. Use it as an excuse to listen to love songs non-stop. Use it as an opportunity to let those you love most know how you truly feel about them, and remember that even as the clock strikes midnight on February 15, the love doesn’t have to stop.

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