The days are getting colder and shorter. It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year — cuffing season. It’s the time of the year when singlets start to couple up, warming their hearts with love. If you are preparing to take out a new or old love on a date, make it festive and fun. Since we are college kids, and dating is a social standard at this time of life, make sure that when you create dates, they are memorable, and most importantly — cheap. I have put together five great date ideas that are cheap and very festive.

The first date idea is going to a local hot-spot, Antiqology. This quirky shop is located in downtown Huntington, and they serve different ice creams and large amounts of different sodas in their shop. Other than food, they sell antiques, old-school candies and homemade bathroom luxuries. During the holiday season, they serve festive sodas, ice creams and milkshakes. If you are interested in fixing a sweet tooth, head downtown and enjoy a legal drink at a bar.

One favorite winter activity is going ice skating. Found in Fort Wayne at Headwaters Park, this is a way to burn off some calories and maybe fall on your butt a few times. This is a great time with friends or as a date, as it only cost five dollars. You can get a little bit of food without texting your parents to transfer money into your account after the date.

If you are feeling like spoiling your little special person, then you need to head over to The Embassy Theater. This is perfect for someone who loves musicals. The theater itself is an experience as well — the interior is very beautiful. The Embassy is showing multiple different Christmas shows with tickets in the 20 dollar range. This would be perfect for a dressy anniversary date or Christmas gift.

The final date idea has to deal with Christmas lights, because who doesn’t like those? In Fort Wayne, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory converts their whole space into a Christmas wonderland. The Garden of Lights is a dream for those who love lights and decorations. Going there would be a great place to take some cute Instagrams with your best friends or loved one. It too only costs five dollars to get in, but you might just have to split the gas money to get there.

It doesn’t cost much to create memories that will last a lifetime, so remember to take a break from all your studying to be a true college kid. Fall in love during the cold months, make friends for a lifetime and post a lot of Instagram pictures.