Valentines Day hits the Aston Campus

This week I am writing from the place to be, the podium of the Great Hall. It is incredible how you can just walk in when it is empty and just observe the details of this mammoth of a lecture theatre.

Anyway, I should not get distracted from the main purpose of this post and it is to share with you the experience that is Valentines Day on the Aston Uni campus. Whether you like Valentine’s , hate it, or just don't care it always ends up being pretty much a big deal.

For me, personally, the upside of Valentine’s is that whether you are single or in a relationship, you do always spend it with the people you care about; either bitter single friends, or the person you share a romantic relationship with. However, I do think that there is a downside to Valentine’s, and it is the commercialization of the holiday. The amount of cr*** that is being sold as gifts is overwhelming. It seems like any shop that is selling any product tries to squeeze the romance out of Valentine’s to make a profit. That is why I was amazed at the brilliant ideas that the Aston students came up with to not make money but rather give back to society.

There were several charitable activities going on on Valentine’s that were extraordinary. First, there was a group of students that would charge a wildly insignificant amount (and donate to a charity after) to sing a romantic (or other) song to your loved one. Just imagine hearing the door bell and as you open the door three people start singing "I Will Always Love You"; hilarious!

Then there was a flower delivery desk. Situated on the ground floor of the guild there was an improvised flower shop that would for the mere amount of 2.5 pounds deliver a rose with a card to you valentine's door. I didn't really have a valentine this year (Oh) but since the money goes for charity this is a great way to make a donation and at the same time make your friends feel special. So, I went to the desk and asked if I can send three roses (Sure!), to three different people (Huh?), that live on the same address (Huh?). My logic was simple, I get my improvised valentines in one room and sit them down to wait for their roses. This would save the deliverer's time and I would not have to coordinate three people to be home at a certain hour.

Well, my mates had a laugh and this just proves that whether you hate Valentine’s, love it, or just don't care, you can make a donation to someone in need and make someone happy with one simple walk to the guild ground floor.