The Vibe Check: Feb 14
By: Yashika Gupta, Staff Writer
Courtesy of Pinterest
It’s that special day, when stores are overflowing with chocolate boxes and social media is filled with adorable, sappy gift ideas. But beneath the red and pink clouds, how are we actually spending Valentine’s Day?
For many Mariners, the answer isn’t a candlelit dinner – it’s a snowboarding trip, a stay-in movie night, or a car meet. We polled 47 students to see if this romantic holiday still holds importance or is just another Saturday.
Across the board, most students didn’t have a budget, with 44 percent reporting $0. But some went all out, 13 percent splurging on a $50-and-above gift. About 41 percent kept it real, spending about $20 to $50.
For some, Valentine’s Day was a regular day spent baking at home, staying in, or watching movies. Few had specific plans, such as going to San Francisco, snowboarding, playing Valorant, and third-wheeling friends. Others drowned in self-pity and doomscrolled.
If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift, consider the Mariners’ preference for handmade gifts, such as cards, bracelets, gift baskets, and letters. Teddy bears, Jellycats, and flowers were also popular. Chocolates, cookies, and chocolate-covered strawberries are still classic favorites, with special treats like s’mores and a heart-shaped pizza making an appearance.
No Valentine’s Day is complete without a good soundtrack; here are some picks from around campus.
- Love You Like a Love Song – Selena Gomez
- 400 Lux – Lorde
- I Love You – 2NE1
- Valentine – Laufey
- All By Myself – Celine Dion
- Me And My Girls – Fifth Harmony
- Young Love – Sonny James
For those without a valentine, Valentine’s Day isn’t dead; it’s been rebranded as a “self-care” day. Students have taken it as a chance to chill out, either alone or with their valentines. It’s less of a commercial and more heartfelt and personal. Whether at a car meet or munching on Safeway cookies, we’re all taking the day to love.