The cost of loving: A York student’s guide to Galentine’s on a budget

Galentine’s is a fun and inclusive way of turning a holiday centered around romantic love into something that can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter your relationship status. It allows us to celebrate and express our love for our girls who are always there for us. And my female friendships are one of the most important things in my life, so why wouldn’t I take the opportunity to use the month of love as a way to celebrate them, as well as taking any excuse for a cheeky drink and a gossip?

However, being a student means being on a budget, making celebrating things like Galentine’s slightly more difficult. Being at uni means most of us cringe every time we open our bank accounts and spend most phone calls with our parents begging for money.

But, in my opinion, things like Galentine’s just simply cannot be sacrificed, so here is a handy guide to hosting Galentine’s whilst protecting your fragile bank account. Thank me later!

1. Consider what’s already around you

The first step to hosting a money-saving Galentine’s (that both your bank account and your parents will thank you for) is to look at what you already have around you. For example, what arts and crafts supplies do you or your friends own, what food is already in your fridge, what alcohol do you have stashed away or on display? This allows you to visualise where your money can be saved and what needs to be purchased. It may also give you an idea of what you can actually do to celebrate Galentine’s. Have a huge amount of paint and paper? Do a crafts night! Have lots of baking supplies? Bake a sweet treat!

2. Stay at home

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If your findings don’t produce any ideas  for your Galentine’s, just choose something simple and easy. Celebrating doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant and include going out and spending huge amounts of money. One way to celebrate could be hosting a film night. All that’s needed is snacks, drinks, and maybe a few blankets to feel snug.

Another option could be a games night. See what board games your friends have or find a cheap option in a charity shop. Even a deck of cards can provide endless opportunities (although Ring of Fire may be slightly too intense for Galentine’s!).

Finally, a sip and paint night is always a guaranteed success and a personal favourite of mine. Buy a cheap palette, some paints and some plain mugs, glasses or paper, and you’ve got yourself a crafts station. Then split the price of a bottle of wine or your preferred alcohol between you all, and get to painting.

3. Set a budget! 

Another place we can see our money disappear to in February is on gifts. Social media adverts fill our screens showing expensive, luxury gifts to buy the ones we love, making us wince at the prices. Currently, I think every other TikTok I see is someone making a Valentine’s day hamper that probably costs more than three weekly food shops combined!

However, love doesn’t just have to be shown through the price of a gift. A lovely card or sentimental gift, such as a picture frame or favourite chocolate bar, can be just as good of a gift as fancy jewellery or a flower bouquet. Communicate with your friends, discuss whether you want to do gifts, and then set a budget that’s accessible and fair to all if you do, in order to ensure that no one feels pressurised to spend a soul-crushing (and bank-account-crushing) amount on gifts.

When it comes to Galentine’s, it’s important to remember that, as uni students, we are all on tight budgets, and Galentine’s can be cheap and easy as long as you don’t put pressure on it. The main point of Galentine’s is to enjoy time with your friends and show them your love. Cosy, chilled nights in can be just as enjoyable as a fancy meal out, maybe even more! There’s always alternate options to save money and as long as everyone contributes, your Galentine’s is almost guaranteed to be a success.