Stores in DeKalb offer cheap Valentine’s Day gifts for students to profess their love without emptying their bank accounts.

Every February when Valentine’s Day rolls around, some students are left wondering how they will afford that perfect gift for their special someone.

“I’m unwillingly going to be going bargain shopping,” said junior communication major Brett Bates, who feels Valentine’s Day is just a corporate holiday. “I’m only doing it because it means so much to [my girlfriend].”

Freshman undeclared major Grace Weidner said she disagrees with Bates about it being a “corporate” holiday and will not be going bargain shopping.

“I just wanted to get what he wanted,” Weidner said.

There are a variety of different stores in DeKalb that offer romantic, yet simple and cheap gifts.

“Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year,” said Oscar Hanson , owner of The Glidden Campus Florist, 917 W. Lincoln Highway. “It is more like Valentine’s Day week.”

The Glidden Campus Florist offers more than just flowers.

“We have the best selection of stuffed animals,” Hanson said.

Regardless, a popular gift is a simple stem of one of many different types of flowers.

“We sell a lot of single stems; they’re fun to give,” Hanson said.

Everyday convenience stores are frequently visited for holiday gifts as well.

“We’re going to Wal-Mart,” said freshman undeclared major Alex Molina . “I know what I’m getting and I’m not spending too much.”

Places such as Target have aisles designated for Valentine’s Day presents and candy, possibly making it somewhat easier for students to find that special gift.

“We’ve been dating for three years, I used to always buy a lot of stuff,” said senior marketing major Nick Strozza. “I think it’s cool to go to a place like [Target] to get a bunch of different things.”

His girlfriend, senior corporate communications major Amanda Booth, agrees.

“They have a lot of stuffed animals and stuff,” Booth said. “I plan on spending like $30.”

A store to consider is Dollar Tree, 2060 Sycamore Road. They too have special areas designated for Valentine’s Day as a convenience to shoppers.

“We have a whole 12 feet of Valentine’s Day candy as well as balloons, gifts and gift bags,” said Mikyla Cortez, a junior pre-early childhood education major and employee at Dollar Tree. “A lot of people come in for gifts or wrap because everything is only a dollar.”