By MELANIE STONE

My anniversary with my girlfriend is coming up soon and I have no idea what to get her. The biggest limitation I have is that I’m completely broke, and let’s face it, I’ve been completely broke our entire relationship, so I’ve used up all the cute, affordable ideas like picnics, scrapbooks, homemade cards, etc. But I want to do something different. This will be our two year anniversary, so I really want to do something special for her so she knows how much I care! HELP.

I think there is one thing you have to know about females in relationships; anything that comes from you will make them happy. The biggest thing to a girl is the fact that their boyfriend even remembers their anniversary, let alone tries to make it super special. It seems like you are the kind of guy who tries really hard to show your girlfriend how much she means to you (guys like you are few and far between). The picnics, scrapbooks, and homemade cards are adorable, and honestly could be just as special a million times over. However, I know that you want to do something extra special to let her know you care, while still holding onto the bit of money you have (all college students are broke by the way, so don’t feel bad).

There are some perks to living on campus; free food (Bartels… I know… but food is food), and your own room, a dorm… I know… but a room is a room). You can go to the C-store and get just about anything you need (within a reasonable range).

Having said all this, I would suggest a scavenger hunt. Leave a letter outside her door that she will get in the morning… make it cute and sappy, but leave a clue in it as to where she should go for the next letter. A bouquet of flowers is fairly cheap at ShopRite; get one of them and leave a flower with each clue so that when she’s done, she’ll have a whole bouquet. Tell her something you love about her in each little clue. You could leave a clue in her class, at the library in one of the cubicles on the third floor, in Jazzman’s on an empty table (be creative, and really make her work for this! It will give you time to work on the second part of the surprise).

While she is collecting her hints, you will be getting a dinner together for the two of you in your dorm. You do not have too cook, so don’t stress out! You could make two plates up from Bartels, buy sandwiches from Sandellas, or (if you can cook) get some supplies from the C-store and whip something up! The last clue should lead her to your dorm, where you’ll be waiting with dinner.

Now I don’t know about your girlfriend, but I am pretty sure any girl would brag about this to all of their friends for months. It is adorable, it’s romantic, it’s inexpensive and it shows just how much you care. You guys have been together a long time, sometimes it’s good to switch it up a little bit and throw some surprises in the mix. I hope this helps a little bit! Happy two years!

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