College students are refusing to let an economic downturn result in a romance recession this Valentine’s Day.

People plan to spend an average of $20 less on gifts this year than they did in 2008, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, which polled 8,850 consumers.

But despite these results, some Syracuse University students are finding their own ways of combating the weakening market.

Sarah Brain said she and her boyfriend put a cap on how much they would spend on each other for the romantic holiday.

‘This year, there’s a $4 price limit on gifts,’ said Brain, a junior hospitality management major. ‘Coming back from being abroad in Australia, I’m a poor human being.’

The couple’s plans were to go to the Dome for the SU men’s basketball game against Georgetown, but Brain’s sister opted to visit SU with her boyfriend. The foursome plans to go to an inexpensive restaurant instead.

‘It’ll be a form of entertainment,’ Brain said.

Dylan Desimone, a senior mechanical engineering major, said he is looking to save money by cooking for his girlfriend at home. He also plans to burn her a homemade CD. Cooking at home, he said, tastes just as good and costs less than a fancy restaurant.

‘(My plan) has just as much to do with being a college kid as with the economy,’ Desimone said.

But BC Restaurant in Armory Square is banking on couples planning to eat out. Since two weeks ago, the eatery has been booked solid for Valentine’s Day, said owner and chef Bill Collins.

‘Valentine’s Day is one of the three or four special occasions during the year,’ he said. ‘People will save up money for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day.’

Aside from Valentine’s Day, BC Restaurant has seen a general decline in patrons, so Collins adjusted his February prices to $20 or less for all dishes. His Valentine’s deal – $45 for four courses – is excluded from the restaurant’s regular February specials.

Campus-friendly date spots like Funk N’ Waffles seek to attract college students with their relatively low prices, and festive waffles.

Adam Gold, owner of Funk N’ Waffles, said he expects a large crowd because of the music performances lined up for that evening, but will offer red velvet cake waffles for those in the romantic spirit.

‘I’ve heard some things on the news about people staying in on Valentine’s Day, something about the economy and saving money and stuff, so we’ll see,’ Gold said. ‘I still think that a dude will want to throw some cash down for his woman on V-day either way.’

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Published on February 11, 2009 at 12:00 pm