The Johnsonian

Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Lifestyles

"I bought a plain wood frame from Michael's, and then I painted it and put a special picture of me and my boyfriend in it. The frame and paint costed about $8," said freshman early childhood education major Alyssa Horton.

Make tomorrow a special day, and do it on a college student's budget. Instead of expensive chocolate, flowers or candy, try some gifts that are inexpensive, but meaningful.
These gifts are perfect last minute and inexpensive gifts for your boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend. Be creative and take the commercialization out of Valentine's Day.
Your valentine will never know you didn't plan these gifts two weeks in advance.

Say it like you mean it.

Take the commercialization out of Valentine's Day. Who needs store-bought cards when you can make a better one yourself?
Making a card adds a personal touch. Don't waste any more time reading cards on the Valentine's Day aisle in search of that 'perfect card.' Write your own message. It can be short and sweet or a complete page confessing your love. What matters is that it's personal. This is also the perfect solution if you plan on sending Valentines to your ten closest friends. It's inexpensive, yet meaningful - the perfect combination for a gift. Even if you're not artistically talented, making a card can be relatively simple.

Cook up a little something.

You don't have to be a chef to make some delicious cookies. You can buy a cookie dough roll with hearts already on the cookies. Not only will you have delicious treats, you'll have memories together.

The sound of love.

Fill a CD with songs that will remind your special someone of you. Just burn your favorites from you music library It's the perfect gift for your valentine and it won't break your wallet.

Bon Appétit.

Make dinner together. It's more romantic (and inexpensive) than the typical Valentine's Day dinner in a restaurant. Try this simple recipe below.

Favorite DVDs.
It doesn't even have to be a mushy Valentine's Day one. Buy an old favorite. It shows that you put some thought into the gift. You can still watch it with your valentine without having to pay for pricey movie tickets at the theater. If you just want a romantic movie, try one from the Top 10 list at the right.

Wish upon a star.

Enjoy nature for a change and watch the stars together.

A tisket, a tasket.

For an extra special gift, fill a basket or box with a mixture of the goodies mentioned on this page. If you can't be with your boyfriend or girlfriend on Valentine's Day, you can fill a box with these goodies and mail it.

Charm her.

Jewelry doesn't have to be expensive or flashy to be treasured. Try something with a meaningful word or phase.


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TOP TEN ROMANCE MOVIES:

1. The Notebook
2. P.S. I Love You
3. Serendipity
4. Ten Things I Hate About You
5. A Walk to Remember
6. Moon Struck
7. Shakespeare in Love
8. Casablanca
9. 50 First Dates
10. 27 Dresses

COMPILED BY JOHNSONIAN STAFF

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