If this Valentine’s Day you’re excited to take someone out on a nice date but are at a loss of how to do it without dropping a paycheck, there are plenty of options to choose from for the perfect, inexpensive date. Being at USC means you have an array of offerings at the university and in the surrounding city to help you woo your date this Valentine’s Day. This is how to celebrate Valentine’s Day while balling on a budget.

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

Nothing says Netflix & Chill like Valentine’s day ’21 mid-pandemic. With restrictive local and state guidelines and (honestly) nowhere to go, the thought of recreating the festive atmosphere in your bubble can start to feel very claustrophobic. Without all the fancy shenanigans—candles, chocolates or violins (give me a break)—streaming platforms are gearing up for the long weekend with new releases, movie premieres and special episodes. Here are some of my favorites:

By: Judy Lee ‘17

The anticipated (and dreaded) day of love is approaching soon! Whether you’re forever alone, or in a relationship—it’s a great day to treat yo self and/or others. If you want a thoughtful and low-cost idea in a jiffy, here are five! And remember, “them” can also refer to your #1 (yourself!):

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

1. Valentine Hearts Ceiling: These cute little heart cut-outs are everything. They vary in shades of red pink, and add a sweet touch of color onto your ceiling.

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

1. Heart Shaped Sugar cookies: I love anything heart shaped! A current favorite are the Starbuck’s cookies. These are similar with an extra touch of sprinkles! To recreate the cookies, take a look at Sally’s recipe…

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

1. Perch: Enjoy a beautiful view of Los Angeles with fine French gourmet dining at the Perch. Their menu offers a variety of dishes like “Filet Mignon au Poivre” and “Steak-Frites.” They also have a variety of wines and hand-crafted cocktails.