No gifts? I know, call me crazy. I love receiving gifts, giving gifts, I love it all. But let's face it. My boyfriend and I are both in college and money does not just come out of thin air. So when it came to our one year anniversary, we wanted to do something a little different.

While most couples will try to find the perfect gift and go store to store, we decided to take an alternate route. Last week, we decided to go Clearwater, Florida (which also happens to be my boyfriend's hometown). We love going to his home not only to see his amazing parents and the best dogs in the world but also the fact that its the beach! Not many people can say they live ten minutes from the beach and can easily go fishing or kayaking in their backyard. Not to mention there's always something fun about seeing where your significant other grew up and driving around their hometown.

We went for experience rather than going for the materialistic gift. And while I love gifts and have nothing wrong with couples that exchange them on their anniversaries, it was nice to have time together, away from school, away from stress, and just being together.

So many times we can get so caught up in homework and studying, and sometimes you just need to go away for the weekend and spend quality times with those you love.

We don't need gifts to ensure our love for each other. Even though, I will say for our six month anniversary I was gifted a little elephant necklace which I treasure and wear every single day. Keep in mind that an elephant is my favorite animal and the fact that he remembered that after me mentioning it maybe once, was the best surprise ever and most thoughtful gift I have ever gotten.

So if you're on a budget and not sure what to get your significant other, I highly recommend stepping away from your normal routine and spending some quality time together with your significant other. Put your phone down, postpone the homework for a day or two, and just have fun together. I can honestly say I had an amazing weekend just getting away from all the stress of school and spending quality time with the best boyfriend ever.