Valentine’s Day card collection

Photo courtesy of staff writer Geri Teal

Steuben Hall celebrated Valentine’s Day in a very fun and creative way. In the small lounge on Steuben’s fourth floor, RA Fischer hosted an activity that allowed students to decorate and personalize a bag with designs and messages of their choosing, and they could hang these bags on their doors so other students could put their Valentine’s cards in them. Students could also make little cards they could give to their Valentine or their friends. The activity was a way for students to relax after a busy week and spend a portion of their Valentine’s Day with friends doing something creative and thoughtful.

Events like this are scattered across the Geneseo campus and give students fun and interesting ways to destress from classes and hang out with friends. This activity allowed for both students who did not have a Valentine and students who did to make thoughtful gifts and celebrate the holiday. Anyone could go, and it was low pressure. Although Valentine’s Day is often thought of strictly as a romantic holiday, activities like this make it possible for students who want to spend it with their close friends to do so without romanticizing it, making Valentine’s Day something everyone can celebrate.

The event itself was small in attendance and in scale. There were stacks of lined paper, double-sided markers, plain white paper bags, and blank index cards provided for students to personalize and get creative with. The markers made fine or bold details easier to create. You could outline designs like flowers or hearts and fill them in with the bigger end of the marker, and add little messages that suited the relationship of the person you were giving the card to. Cards could feature romantic messages for your Valentine or heartfelt thoughts for your friends. Participants could not only write romantic or heartfelt messages, but also write academic-related jokes and quips that reflected your friend’s major. One card held chemistry jokes related to the recipient’s major, making the card unique and special. The possibilities were endless with what could be created, and they made for thoughtful and sincere gifts. 

Attendance for the event was lower than expected, with only one student in attendance.  The activity was over the weekend and held on Valentine’s Day, which could have conflicted with the plans students already had for the holiday. Valentine’s Day was also often filled with a plethora of other fun events for students to attend, which could have also conflicted with students’ plans. Regardless of attendance, the event still offered students an alternative way to spend Valentine’s Day with friends and loved ones.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently everywhere and varies from person to person. There are both small events and large events, store-bought flowers and hand-made cards. There are multiple ways to participate in the holiday and everyone has their own preferences. This dorm event was small but still held a purpose. It gave students a chance to create custom, heartfelt gifts for their loved ones; it was something that was easily accessible to students; and it let them spend time relaxing and being creative.