Seven last minute Valentine’s gifts made by UoB students for UoB students

Here at The Birmingham Tab, we’re all for spreading the love this February.

These are our top seven last-minute gifts, because if truth be told, we’ve all had enough on our minds to actually remember to order stuff in advance.

And of course, they are all from some of our favourite UoB student-owned businesses.

Hand Delivered Roses, Chocolates and Handwritten Notes

By UoB Help the Homeless

If receiving a rose on V-day doesn’t say “I love you”, then I don’t know what does. UoB Help the Homeless are delivering (socially distanced of course) roses, handwritten notes and chocolates around Selly and The Vale.

Proceeds will be going to the charity Let’s Feed Brum, providing local homeless people with food, drink, essential supplies and support.

What’s more, gifts can be sent anonymously, allowing secret admirers to remain mysterious and elusive.

Find out more on the society’s Facebook page.

Line Art Pieces

By Alfie Futerman

Ivy? Overdone. House Plants? Your room’s not a greenhouse. LEDs? Seen in every Selly student’s room ever.

If you’re looking for a creative gift to make your landlord’s peeling walls that haven’t seen fresh paint since the ’90s, sparkle, then look no further.

Alfie’s stunning line art includes sexy nudes and bouquets, providing you with a clever way of gifting flowers that won’t wilt after a week or two. Available from just £5, the artwork is sent digitally as a pdf, making this gift not only affordable, but Covid safe too.

Order through Alfie’s Instagram.

Handmade Cards, Chocolate Roses and Boxes of Chocolates

By Kirsty Morrison and Jasmine Chevolleau

Brighten up someone’s day by sending them one of Kirsty and Jasmine’s cute, handmade cards because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love receiving post?

Along with cards and boxes of chocolates, the entrepreneurs are offering roses crafted from chocolate, combining two Valentine’s day favourites.

The girls are members of the University of Birmingham Dermatology Society and will donate all profits to the British Skin Foundation, which funds life saving research into skin cancer and other skin diseases.

The pair will be acting Cupid and delivering gifts on V-day around Selly and Harborne.

Place your gift orders here.

Ditsy Daisy Bracelets

By Amelie Freedman

Available in an array of colours, these pieces make an ideal Galentine’s gift to show your gals how much you appreciate them.

Amelie also offers the option to personalise her jewellery with your bae’s initials, real name or whatever other cringe-worthy pet names you use.

These bracelets are a great way to brighten up your lockdown outfits of trackies and a baggy, stained t-shirt. Making you feel slightly glam despite not having dressed up since what feels like 2015.

Browse the collection at Ditsy Daisy Bracelets’ Instagram. 

Homemade Waffles

By Lila Wielemans

Seeing as it’s unlikely we’ll be able to book any romantic getaways any time soon, bring Europe, or more specifically, Belgium to Selly with Lila’s handmade Belgian waffles.

The desserts are available with a range of toppings including melted Belgian chocolate, which, studies show, increases your heart beat and excitement in the brain far more than kissing, helping to ignite some passion this V-day.

Plus, for all you singles out there, chocolate can make you fantasise about falling in love… a guy/girl can dream.

DM Lila on Facebook to order.

Photography

By Arjun Konda

We love Old Joe. You love Old Joe. Who doesn’t love Old Joe?

Herein lies the question, why wouldn’t you want a spectacular photo of Europe’s tallest and our beloved clock tower and the surrounding campus adorned on your wall?

Arjun’s professional photography business offers just that, along with romantic images of heart shaped landmarks and some of Britain’s best loved scenes to bring some escapism during these dull times.

Check out Arjun’s Etsy to buy.

Brownies

By Hannah Buck

Whether you’re single, taken or just hungry, Hannah’s homemade brownies are an indulgent way to make your lockdown days sweeter.

They can be eaten as dessert to your Covid safe Valentine’s dinner or to drown out the sorrows of being alone for yet another year.

Profits from the sale of these brownies will go to Dig Deep, an organisation who provide communities in Kenya with toilets, taps and sanitation, making this gift not only delicious, but philanthropic too. Plus, I hear chocolate’s an aphrodisiac…

Drop Hannah a message on Facebook to order.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• A beginner’s guide to lockdown Galentine’s 

• The seven zoom personalities in every UoB seminar

• A fitting memorial to the forgotten pandemic of the 1980s: an AIDS memorial is coming to Birmingham