Valentine’s Day may be a celebration of romantic love, but that special holiday for that special someone can get expensive! Last year the National Retail Federation released a survey of consumers that reveals Americans spent an average of $116.21 on traditional Valentine’s Day merchandise in 2011.

      Being a college student isn’t easy when times like these comes around. Fret not; romance does not have to be put to a stop because of a current money jam. It’s all about the expression of love, not the expense. You should know how to budget and where to go when you do your Valentine’s Day shopping.

      Being on a budget is not the worst thing in the world. In fact, if anything it broadens your creativity. For instance, let’s begin with the basics of bearing the traditional gifts of a card and a stuffed animal, chocolates or roses. You may think these are clichéd, but get your valentine one of these three items and you’re golden.

      But where do you go to buy these items cheaply? And do you really even need these items? A stuffed animal can run pretty high when you’re using your gas money for a 4-foot stuffed thing that will probably never move from your valentine’s corner bedroom. Minimizing the size of the stuff animal would reduce your cost significantly, so consider getting something different. Singing stuffed animals are a good choice, and they range from $7-20 at Walgreens.

      A very important ingredient to a woman’s heart is chocolate. Chocolate, which originates from the cacao seed, releases endorphins and oxytocin, giving the consumer feelings similar to those of being in love. But name-brand chocolate is overpriced; you could be spending a minimum of $17 for a pound. Skip the brand and go with a heart-shaped chocolate box under $10 at any local grocery store.

      Cards are what hold the hand-written message you want to convey to your valentine. You can save a lot by making a hand-made crafted card filled with your own flair. This is something personal; you control the design and tone.

      Roses are what can signify your love without even being present, for they convey a message of love in every petal. They may be overrated, but a woman cannot deny her joy once she receives them. Of course for its vital symbolism of love, these are going to be highly priced. Going to a floral shop you’ll spend a minimum of $35 (if you’re lucky) for a decent bouquet. But the most sold on this holiday are red roses with baby’s breath, which can range from $50-150! You can save by simply going to the florist at a nearby Safeway or Lucky’s, where a dozen roses start at $12.99.  

If you really want to skip the cliches and do something romantic and different, here are some creative ideas at a low cost:

1. Create a love soundtrack by creating a mix cd.

2. Bake goodies; this is always appreciated (double kudos for men baking).

3. Dine in and make your valentine’s favorite dish.

4. Make fun, homemade favor coupons.

5. Send your valentine on a scavenger hunt to find the picnic location you picked out.

6. Create a custom photo book using websites such as shutterfly.com and snapfish.com; be sure to save your money using their ongoing promotional codes.

7. Use an old deck of cards and write 52 reasons why you love your valentine.

8. Fill a small room, closet or car with helium balloons each tied with a special message.

9. For deal shoppers, websites such as Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com are great for saving on everything from movie tickets and museum passes to meals at restaurants. Groupon is currently promoting Valentine’s Day deals from Swarovski Elements Earrings to lobster dinner to wineries. For the more adventurous couples, zozi.com offers affordable prices on chocolate- and wine tasting, sword fighting and even bread-making workshops. These websites can give budget-minded value to the special day your plan with your valentine. 

Presentation is key, but most important is letting your loved one understand how grateful you are for your relationship.