Valentine's Day memories bring date ideas

Every year, Valentines Day can bring stress and uncertainty when trying to plan the "perfect date". Whether you are in a serious relationship or just started dating a person, Valentines Day is a time to show your love and affection to the other person.

Valentines Day dates change every year. From dinners to gifts, there is always some new creative way to express your love for another person. Sure, one could buy roses and candy, but some couples strive to keep their relationships exciting and fresh.

"One Valentines Day one year, my husband and I saw Phantom of the Opera," Greek Life Coordinator Amber VanLue Johnston said. "That year I gave him a skeleton key and he gave me a red rose with a gem in the middle of it like the one in the movie."

If you are a couple that wants to stay in on this special day, forget the restaurant and consider preparing a carpet picnic, homemade dinner or organizing a scavenger hunt. Small, personal gestures can make a romantic evening just as good as store bought gifts.

"My favorite Valentines Day memory was my senior year of high school, my boyfriend organized a scavenger hunt around his house with clues to where my Valentines present was," sophomore Brandi Easton said. "This day is about sharing it with the person I have been in love with since I was fifteen, not the material things."

For those people who don't necessarily have a date, showing your friends and family members that you care for them can be just as special.

"Normally I buy flowers and bake goodies for all my friends," junior Lauren Booe said. "Its my way of showing them I care for them by using my baking skills."

To create the surprise element on this special day, some couples try to get creative and sneaking with their planning. Whether it's recreating a memory in a new fun way, or giving your partner something they could really use or need such as a spa day or coupons to their favorite place.

"I love being surprised," graduate student Christi Timberlake said. "Give me roses, a candlelight dinner and the element of surprise and I'm good to go!"

Planning the perfect date is just as important as planning the perfect gift. It takes time, scheming and a little extra creativity to make it perfect.

"Valentines is the one day a year when you can spoil and really show the person you care about that you love them," senior Derek Stanley said. "This year I plan to make it unforgettable."