YouAlberta
As the day of love is fast approaching, many of you might be racking your brains, trying to come up with things to do. Whether you are celebrating Valentine's Day with friends or a significant other, the day does not have to break the bank. Here are my suggestions for a few low-budget activities to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Galleries and museums
For art and history lovers, a gallery or a museum is a great way to spend the day. Although there is a wide variety in Edmonton, I recommend the Art Gallery of Alberta. Make a trip downtown and explore the Canadian paintings and sculptures. The added bonus is that the Art Gallery of Alberta offers free admission to all Alberta students.
Cafes
There is nothing better than getting a warm cup of coffee (or tea - depending on your preference) on a cold Edmonton day. Near the North Campus, there is a great selection of cafes that will surely let you enjoy the coziness of coffee. Equally, I am a coffee and tea lover, which means I frequent many cafes in my spare time. Some of my recommendations close to North Campus include Block 1912 Cafe (Whyte Ave), CornerHUB (112th st.) and Paris Baguette (Whyte Ave).
Block 1912 is one of my favourite places to go when I want to spend time around Whyte Ave. Not only is its location perfect for a day to spend wandering around the popular street filled with stores to explore, but the interior gives a cozy atmosphere to the cold winter days. Filled with books to read while sipping a coffee, it’s a perfect place for bookworms to spend time with friends or a significant other.
For those living on North Campus who don’t want to spend the day on public transportation or walk very far, the CornerHUB cafe might be your ideal place to grab coffee. Located near the Timms Centre for the Arts, this cafe offers a wide range of drink selections as well as food options.
Another cafe located on Whyte Ave, Paris Baguette, is a great option for a coffee date. The bakery has a charming atmosphere, and it is easily navigable to select from various baked treats. It’s a unique experience as picking pastries is self-serve. You grab a tray with a paper liner and place the baked goods on top. Then you go to the cashier to bag them and pay. It’s a great and tasty place to spend Valentine's Day.
Nature walk
If the weather is not too cold, a nice walk in one of Edmonton’s parks is a great way to spend the day. For a park close to North Campus, I recommend Emily Murphy Park. It has walking trails and scenic views. Enjoy the fresh air, scenery and each other’s company. It's a simple and cost-effective way to spend time together - but remember to dress for the weather!
Movie night
After possibly spending your day in a park, a movie night is a great way to end this Valentine’s Day. A cozy night amidst the Edmonton winter is ideal if you are a movie lover like me. Pick some of your favourite films or explore new ones. Make some popcorn, grab some blankets and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Game night
Another low-budget way to spend this Valentine's Day is having a game night. It’s a fun and interactive way to spend time together without spending much money. Whether that be classic Monopoly or discovering new board games, letting your competitive side emerge can make the day memorable. Although there is an immense amount of games to choose from, my favourite to play with a group of friends is Catan. Don't have any board games? No problem! More times than not, games can be readily purchased at second-hand stores for a cheap price. Also, you can check out the North Campus Board Game Library.
Often, the meaning of Valentine's Day is overshadowed by the commercialization of the “requirement” to get the people you care about a gift. But I think that the day was created to demonstrate your care for those in your life, and that doesn’t need to involve bank-breaking purchases.
Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time and show your appreciation for each other, not the amount of money spent!