Last Minute Loving

By: Emily Abbate

Posted: 2/14/08

Flowers, chocolates and a card, check. Cologne, hair in place and the jeans without the grass stain on the back right pocket, check. And what is the plan? Not exactly sure? If you are looking for some last minute date ideas for the Hallmark holiday, and seemed to have stumbled upon this article, then you're in luck. Students on the UConn campus are scurrying around trying to plan an original and unique Valentine's Day for their sweethearts, and sometimes that trip to Angellino's with approximately 50 percent of all other UConn students doesn't seem appealing. Here are a few ideas that won't take too much planning, and are definitely do-able as the big day arrives.

Staying In

There is absolutely nothing wrong with planning some alone time together for this year's Valentine's Day. The holiday is all about taking a second to push everything else aside and make some time for you and the one you care about. Try renting a movie and ordering in, lighting a few candles and making it romantic.

Suite101.com suggests, "open a bottle of wine, light some candles, play soft music and you are on your way to a beautiful night."

Eat Out And Stay Local

If you don't really have many options for getting around, utilize the UConn transportation system and get to a plethora of local restaurants. The Yellow Line leads you towards the Oriental Café, Randy's Wooster Street Pizza, Friendly's, Chang's Garden and The Blue Oak Café, located in the Nathan Hale Inn. If none of those strike your fancy, then the apartment shuttle stops somewhat near the Grand Union shopping plaza, where Red Rock is located.

What's for dessert? Spend some time at Starbucks and try one of their seasonally appropriate Valentine's Day treats or stop in at Chuck and Augie's in the Student Union and grab dessert to eat there or take-out. Looking for something even more convenient? The new Union Central Exchange convenient store located in the Student Union carried a variety of different desserts from Ben & Jerry's pints to Zuzzy's ready-to-eat cookie dough.

X Marks The Spot: A Scavenger Hunt

Looking for something a little out of the normal? If you have an extra hour or so during the day, then this date is a creative alternative. Make up to ten different clues and place them around either the dorm or campus. Each clue can say a little something about what makes you attracted to your Valentine, a memory that you have shared together or even a funny Valentine's Day joke. Have each clue lead to the next, and the last clue lead to where you will be, with a fun evening ahead of you. Whether you and your date decide to stay in after the hunt or go out, they will definitely appreciate all of the sweet things you had to say about them.

Activities For Love

If you and your partner have certain activities that you like to do together, then carry on that mutual enjoyment on Valentine's Day and incorporate your favorite hobbies into your day. Go to dinner and then go ice-skating at the Edward Freitas Ice Forum or rock climbing at the SRF. Just because it is Valentine's Day does not mean that you can't do normal every-day activities, and enjoy them together.

If movies are your favorite together activity, then either rent a romantic classic, such as "Dirty Dancing" or "Pretty Woman," or hit up the Student Union theatre to see "Enchanted." Up for something a bit newer? Try seeing "27 Dresses," "Caramel," "Fool's Gold" or "Definitely, Maybe."

Contact Emily Abbate at

Emily.Abbate@UConn.edu.