Friday, February 12, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 7
Money not necessary on day devoted to affection, love
Inexpensive gifts include stargazing homemade dinners
By Kursten Phelps Special to the Kansan
Money — or the lack of — is a lingering issue for college students when Valentine's Day rolls around.
According to students, there are ways to display love and affection for significant others even if the students' wallets hold only dust and maxed-out credit cards.
Eliza Bennett, Marion sophomore,
said food always was a good way to
get around the money crunch.
"My boyfriend Sam and I are both broke, so we're going to make a romantic dinner for two together," Bennett said. "We're going to make it a picnic by eating outside, using his gas grill to keep us warm."
Cooking dinner is a popular solution for students who are short on cash.
"For our first Valentine's Day, my boyfriend and I made dinner together at his apartment. It was nice to have a more intimate atmosphere than at a busy restaurant," said Aimee Buckland, Topeka senior.
There are other ways to make that special someone smile without breaking the bank account. Janea Patterson, Pittsburg junior, said she hadn't decided what she would do on Valentine's Day with her fiancé.
"I've got a few ideas like making him a card with construction paper, maybe go to the park, or go visit his parents because he likes it when I spend time with them," Patterson said. "I think I may write him some love poems, too, because he used to write poems for me, so I thought it would be nice to do some for him."
Jake Schmitz, Marysville freshman, agreed that poetry was a good option for students struggling to
make ends meet.
"If I was broke, I'd probably write a poem," he said. "Girls kind of dig that, I guess. You'd have to make it meaningful and from the heart, though."
Tina Kim, Olathe senior, said, "I'm in a long-distance relationship, but if my boyfriend were here, we could watch the sun set, or watch the stars at Clinton Lake. And you can always make a Valentine. That always works."
Matt Haug, Topeka junior, agreed that if all else failed, making a gift was always an option.
"You can always make something for your girlfriend. That's always good. As long as it's meaningful, it's a good idea," Haug said.
Nick Peak, Manhattan freshman,
said that with a little effort, a nice gift at a manageable price was possible.
"The key is to bargain hunt. There's lots of stores out there where you can get nice things relatively inexpensive," Peak said "I found a nice ring for my girlfriend one year for $15."
Some students said they tried to find money any way they could.
Megan Dunn, Osawatomie freshman, said she usually found a way around not having any money.
I always end up dipping into my savings account when I'm broke," Dunn said.
Eric Snider, Wichita sophomore, said he had found many ways to raise the necessary funds for a proper Valentine's Day.
"You can go to the bookstore and turn in your receipts to get your rebate. You could probably squeak 15 bucks out of that. Then there's always recycling aluminum cans, and if you don't mind needles, selling plasma is a quick and easy way to make some cash." Snider said.
Snider also suggested asking parents for a loan.
Snider added that it shouldn't matter how much someone spent
on their date. He said the best gifts came from the heart.
"A homemade Valentine is a quick way to a lady's heart. But it has to be a good one, not cheesy." Snider said.
Sometimes, even when someone has budgeted for a great Valentine's Day, the unexpected can happen.
"One year, I had this big date all planned out," said Derek John, Topeka junior. "I took this girl to a really nice restaurant, and we were enjoying our meal. Halfway through the meal, I realized I didn't have any cash, and my checkbook was in my room. So I excused myself, snuck outside and called my best friend. Basically, he broke into my room, got my checkbook and met me outside the restaurant to give it to me.
"He was totally there for me in the clutch, and the girl never knew what was going on. That was a crazy Valentine's Day," he said.
What are your plans for Valentine's Day?
President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton will spend Valentine's Day en route to Mexico for a meeting with Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo.
Tina Haynie, Omaha, Nebraska, sophomore, said, "I'm going home and visiting my family in Omaha. I'd rather be in Omaha."
Tina Haynie
Kevin Yoder, student body president, said he was going to Kansas City for Valentine's Day.
"I will be taking my girlfriend out for dinner on the Plaza and a movie," he said.
Kevin Yoder
Ryan Robertson
Ryan Robertson, senior guard for the KU men's basketball team, said he wasn't sure about the specifics of his Valentine's Day plans. "I do have a date planned for Valentine's Day with my girlfriend," he said. "There will be dinner and a movie involved, I'm sure."
Garrett Street, Overland Park freshman, said he didn't have any plans for Valentine's Day.
Tucker Poling
"If I had a girlfriend, it might be a different story," he said. "I might take this girl out. We'll see what happens."
Tucker Poling, Joplin, Mo., sophomore, said he probably would go out to dinner with his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. He said he hadn't thought much about the holiday. "But my girlfriend has," Poling said.
David Shulenburger
Provost David Shulenburger said he was staying in Laurence on Valentine's Day. "We plan to go to the Brentano String Quartet performance at the Lied Center and spend the rest of a quiet day together," he said.
Sarah Rew
Sarah Rew, Overland Park freshman, said she was not looking forward to Valentine's Day because she had intramural rowing practice.
"I have to get up and do bird races early in the morning," she said.
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