Leading up to Valentine’s Day, many couples scramble to plan a socially-acceptable show of their affection and end up experiencing anxiety and disappointment due to their unrealistic expectations, says Toni Coleman, a licensed psychotherapist and relationship expert.

A self-proclaimed gentleman, C.J. Harries, Wichita junior, has never been in a relationship on Valentine’s Day but says there’s truth to Coleman’s statement. “Relationships should be about mutual desire and respect, but men are expected to put on a performance,” Harries says.

Coleman says that holding this Hallmark holiday at such a high level of importance isn’t healthy for any relationship. “When you love someone, you love them all the time and not just extra special because it’s Valentine’s Day,” Nicole Arnold, Louisburg freshman. Arnold says she thinks it’s more important for couples to focus on having fun and enjoying each other’s company rather than trivial concerns such as how much money is spent.

Though local jewelry stores usually see an increase in sales around Valentine’s Day, spending a lot of money isn’t always the key to an enjoyable evening. Rich Yeakel, co-owner of Mark’s Jewelers, 817 Massachusetts St., suggests that couples on a budget go to the grocery store together, cook a nice meal and just hang out. The perfect evening can be as simple as picking up a new release from the video store (preferably not one resembling The Notebook) and snuggling up on the couch as your roommates gag at your cuteness.

“I think people get a bit too caught up in the spectacle,” Harries says. “Once you let yourself get concerned with fancy plans and big gifts, people forget it’s about showing your affection, not showing off your wallet.”

Sirloin steak, Texas Hold’em and the Terminator trilogy. These things make up the perfect Valentine’s Day for Tyler Cini, Round Rock, Texas, senior.

Cini is single, but says he isn’t worried about not having a significant other to share the holiday with. He says he plans on spending the day with his good friends instead. “I don’t think you have to be in a relationship to spend Valentine’s Day with people you care about,” Cini says.

According to a Rasmussen Reports poll, Cini is one of more than 95 million single Americans. Twenty-two percent of these people are dreading Valentine’s Day. Many of these singles will be looking for ways to spend Valentine’s Day without focusing on the fact that they’re not involved in a romantic relationship.

There are a variety of alternate ways to spend this holiday. According to Toni Coleman, licensed psychotherapist, relationship coach and founder of Consum-mate.com, singles have a number of choices for how to get through the day. Coleman says one option is to make plans

with another single friend to pamper yourselves with something like a pedicure or a massage. If you’re feeling cynical, Coleman suggests you organize an Un-Valentine’s Day party with all of your single friends or use the day to clean your apartment and file your taxes.

C.J. Harries, Wichita junior, fondly remembers the simpler times of Valentine’s Day. “In fourth or fifth grade, I found these amazing Star Wars Valentines that blew everything else out of the water,” Harries says. Unfortunately, the days are long gone when cards featuring C-3PO and Chewbacca were an acceptable expression of love.

So, if heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and overpriced bouquets of roses aren’t your thing, you can take a cue from Harries and use this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to let everyone you love know it. Harries says he plans to call all of his friends and family to find out how they’re doing and to let them know how much he cares about them.