Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. Whether it’s affection from a lover or self-appreciation, it’s a day to be as sweet as candy. Although a college student’s pocketbook may be tight, there are alternative ways to celebrate the day of love.

If you have a valentine, try to do something other than the norm. Dinner and a movie is a cute concept but your valentine might want something else to make it special. Get creative. One idea is to go to the beach and lay out a dinner made for two under the night lights or spice things up by cooking dinner together. These are simple ways to bond and save your dollars.

Winner Watts, 18, English major, said, “We might go to Benihana’s, come home watch some movies and have some dessert. Something simple.”

Rok Sushi Kitchen in Hermosa Beach has a three-course special for $65 per person and Dominique’s Kitchen in Redondo Beach has a four-course menu for $59.99.

Do research to find out the type of food your valentine likes or check on restaurantsinsouthbay.com to find the perfect restaurant for your date.

Adore Fiaseu, 19, administrative justice major, said she would like her man to plan the day. “We might go to the movies and stuff. I want him to do sweet and romantic stuff for the day. Plan out our time and do it from the heart,” she said.

There will be three movies coming out on Valentine’s Day: About Last Night, Endless Love and Winter’s Tale. The movies could be full Friday so plan ahead and go early to get good seats. You’d rather stay in? Try to find a good movie on Netflix. It’s an alternative way to save some change.

Julian Jackson, 19, biology major, said even though he is in a long distance relationship, he will video chat with his girlfriend. “I customized Nikes for her gift. It sucks being long distance but we will probably Skype all day,” he said.

Be creative and surprise your date with an fun-filled night. You don’t always have to spend a lot to do a lot, but make every moment count. Your wallet will thank you later.

Maybe none of that stuff above pertained to you. Maybe you’re single and not looking to blow your money tomorrow. You, too, can still have fun.

Valentine’s Day is on a Friday this year and there is bound to be places to have fun and mingle when you’re single. Local bars, clubs and even parties at neighboring universities will be hot spots to hang with friends and have a good time.

Artis Perez, 18, undeclared major, said, “I’m planning on chilling with friends and having fun Valentine’s Day. I most likely will go to a party or something that weekend.”

If you aren’t into the Valentine’s Day spirit, find a close Anti-Valentine’s Day party for those who dislike the holiday as much as you do.

According to laits.com, places like the Birds Cafe, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Rock & Reilly’s Irish Whiskey Pub are having events for “love haters” on Valentine’s Day.

Go ahead and take time out to spoil yourself that day. Go to the spa, treat yourself to a lunch, go shopping, or maybe even do something sweet for someone you love, like a relative or close friend.

“I don’t have a valentine this year,” Alexus Ferguson, 18, economics major, said. “So instead I will be hanging out with my cousin.”

The opportunity for self-appreciation is up to the you. Take the time to really enjoy the day and surround yourself with love.

Facts about Valentine’s Day:

1. 15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day (from wisebread.com).
2. In Japan, women are expected to give chocolate and other gifts to men on Valentine’s Day (from wisebread.com).
3. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be (from wisebread.com).
4. Some say St. Valentine was imprisoned for not worshiping Roman gods so his friends would send him notes to his window (from CNN.com).
5. Some also say St. Valentine secretly married soldiers who were not supposed to marry (from CNN.com).
6. About $280 million of cut flowers are imported for Valentine’s Day (from census.gov).
7. Fifty-three percent of women end their relationship if they do not get anything for Valentine’s Day (from statisticbrain.com).
8. Nine million people will buy their pets a gift for Valentine’s Day (from huffingtonpost.com).
9. Teachers are the No. 1 receiver of cards on Valentine’s Day. (from huffingtonpost.com).
10. More at-home pregnancy tests are sold in March than in any other month (from wisebread.com).