Do You Love Me?

How are Boston University students preparing themselves for the love festivities, and what is Boston doing to celebrate the day?

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that sparks both excitement and resentment in the hearts of men and women. This upcoming Tuesday, restaurants will be packed with couples expressing their everlasting love, and flower shops will be making deliveries by the ton. For a holiday that traditionally leaves single girls eating ice cream while watching “The Notebook,” how can the excited half of Boston University students spend their day?

FLOWERS OR CHOCOLATE?

Valentine’s Day is commonly given the stereotype of a “Hallmark Holiday” because of how highly commercialized the holiday is; stores stock up on teddy bears, jewelry and overly priced greeting cards because they know costumers will buy their products. Traditionally the gift of choice is either flowers or hearts full of chocolate.

Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences freshman Ali Pylitt said flowers are always the better option for girls.

“I would rather get flowers because they are more of a sign of commitment,” Pylitt said. “The boy has to think more about flowers and they cost more money.”

When it comes time for BU students to surprise their significant other with flowers, local flower shops offer both deals and convenience.

Boston City Florist, located at 714 Commonwealth Ave., offers discounts for Valentine’s Day purchases. The store’s owner, Nick Sabo, said this is one of his busiest times of the year.

“Our sales usually increase by 20 or 30 percent around this time,” Sabo said. “We have to increase our employees’ hours to keep up with the demand.”

The flower shop is offering a deal of $10 off a dozen roses for all orders placed before Feb. 12. They are also offering free delivery on all orders over $50, which is about a $10 savings.

“Roses, specifically red roses, are definitely the most popular flower right now,” Sabo said.

SAR senior Justin Gilmartin said although he already sent his long-distance girlfriend flowers for this Valentine’s Day, he is not very into the holiday as a whole.

“It is a made up holiday that is definitely more important for the girl,” Gilmartin said. “I just want to make my girlfriend happy so I sent her flowers.”

Pylitt agrees that the Valentine’s Day is important for a girl, but more specifically a girl in a relationship.

“I think it is a Hallmark holiday to make money, but I like it because I have a boyfriend,” she said. “If I didn’t have a boyfriend I wouldn’t enjoy it as much. My roommates don’t have boyfriends and they are really against it.”

CANDY GRAMS GALORE

Regardless of whether or not BU students resent the holiday, many student organizations on campus use Valentine’s Day as a basis for their various fundraisers.

BU sorority Delta Gamma is holding a Valentine’s Day fundraiser on Feb. 9 and 10. The sorority’s Vice President of Foundation Jenna Hamburger said the group is selling “panty grams” in the George Sherman Union to raise money for Service for Sight, which is part of the Delta Gamma foundation.

“We will be selling neon underwear for $5 each, and for $8 you can send someone a special Valentine’s Day message from a member of the Dear Abbeys,” Hamburger said. “We will be delivering the panty grams to your Valentine on Feb. 11.”

Hamburger said her sorority has held the fundraiser in the past, and the sale is made possible because of the support of the store Jack Wills in donating the panty grams.

Another student organization, Face AIDS, will also be selling Valentine’s Day candy in the GSU from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

On the night of Feb. 14, most couples tend to go to the traditional dinner and a movie to commemorate the holiday. However, School of Management sophomore Knox Anderson said he has not thought about how he and his girlfriend are going to celebrate the holiday.

“I haven’t really thought about it yet,” Anderson said. “We [boys] don’t want to think about what we have to do until we have to. I’ll probably take her out to dinner though.”

Gilmartin agrees with Anderson that boys always plan dinner in the “spur of the moment.” However, if you are the type that likes to plan out your holiday in advance, Boston restaurants seem more than prepared for Valentine’s Day.

Scoozi, located at 580 Commonwealth Ave. is popular among BU students. Scoozi manager Elizabeth Carey said this Valentine’s Day, the restaurant has a special dinner deal for both couples and single men and women.

“For couples we are offering two dinner entrees and a bottle of Ménage a Trois red or white wine for $45,” said Carey. “For singles, we are offering our famous steak tips and a glass of Prosecco wine for $20.”

Both of these deals will be offered on Tuesday night 5-11 p.m.

If you are interested in breaking away from the traditional Valentine’s dinner, Boston is holding many other events through which you can impress your date.

According to Boston.com, Mottley’s Comedy Club, located at 61 Chatham St., is holding a “Trials of Love” comedy night. Comic Mike Dorval will perform a comedy show about how to “settle old scores” between couples and attend to “matters of the heart.” Tickets are $20, and you must be age 21 or older.

Additionally, the Coolidge Corner Theater, located at 290 Harvard St. in Brookline, will be hosting the stage group “Mortified” on Feb. 13. This group will read their old journals and diaries from their pathetic teenage years. The Boston Globe’s love letter advice columnist Meredith Goldstein will also be among the performers. Tickets are $12 for students.

When they have the choice between buying a present or spending time with your significant other, some students say that what you do is more important than what you buy.

“I would rather do something together, like dinner,” Anderson said. “I think intangible gifts are better than anything you can give.”