Spice up your Valentine’s Day

Looking for a romantic date night idea, but tired of the movie and dinner scene?

There are plenty out there, as long as you aren’t afraid to think outside the box and do something a little unusual. Our readers spoke up to suggest and voice their opinion on fun things to do with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day.

Buy a fish together: One couple suggested buying and raising a fish together. Rebecca Bell, FSU freshman in pre-pharmacy, and her boyfriend Chase O’Connell, FSU junior who is undecided, said they decided to get a fish for their two month anniversary. O’Connell said they were walking through Wal-Mart together when a fish caught Bell’s eye. “I was like ‘Hey, I don’t know what to get you,’ and we decided to get a fish,” O’Connell said. “Originally we started with two blackfin sharks and two guppies with a five gallon tank.”Although some people may think taking care of fish would be a hassle, Bell doesn’t mind. “I love taking care of the fish, I really do,” Bell said. “It reminds me of my boyfriend.”

Where to go: Animal Shack has very reasonably priced fish and is a one-stop shop for all your new pet’s habitat and accessories.

Stay In: Who says romantic dates need to require getting dressed up and spending a lot of money? One simple option for Valentine’s Day is making it a romantic night in. Cook for each other, watch romantic old movies and give each other back rubs. Get some board games, play some old school truth or dare or just snuggle up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa. If either of you are creatively endowed, you might even want to make a simple tied fleece blanket together.

What to do: Look for movies that you will both enjoy, such as “The Princess Bride,” “Il Postino,” “The Holiday” or “Hitch,” which are both funny and romantic. Check out ehow.com to find instructions on how to make a no-sew blanket together. Tasteofhome.com has some great recipes for two.

Anti-Dinner Date: Another date idea is doing the whole fancy dinner routine, minus the classy restaurant. That is, busting out your heels or suit and going somewhere cheap, like a fast food restaurant. True, it is a little silly, but it gives you the chance to dress up and feel fancy without spending all your money on a filet mignon. According to Chris Brown, FSU senior in criminal justice, the best part is that “it’s cheap.” Despite its apparent silliness, Brown said he could definitely see his friends settling in to a romantic night at a fast-food joint. “I know people, lots of people, who would do that,” Brown said. Feel free to set the scene with a fancy tablecloth and taper candles to get your romantic dinner under way. Careful though, make sure your date has a sense of humor before you take him or her to a night out at Taco Bell. This also works great for a double date.

Where to go: anywhere cheap; think Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and the like.

Skating: Whether you could be the next gold medalist for skating or you fall on your face every time, skating is something you can enjoy no matter what your skill level is. It’s decently cheap and provides a great way to get close to your significant other while having a great time. Kyle Mays, FSU junior in international business, said, “I think it’d be cool, especially if you’ve never gone skating before. It’d be something new to try, just to get out. And it’s romantic.”

Where to go: The FSU ice rink has open skate hours and skate rental for a reasonable price, or the Big Rapids Roller Rink is always a good option.