Best Valentine Gift Ideas for Teens and College Students (2025)

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Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to send a college care package or surprise your kiddo with a small but unique gift. Sending one of these presents is a way to show your older kids that you are thinking of them on this day of love…and every day.

Best Valentine’s Day gifts for teens and college students

1. Motivational Stress Balls – 5 Pack (Amazon)

Perfect for college students: this pack includes five stress balls; your teen can share these motivation messages with their friends.

2. Anker iPhone 16 Nano Power Bank (Amazon)

There’s nothing more frustrating than a phone with battery power when you’re on the go and cannot easily plug your phone into a wall jack. This compact and powerful charger was wildly popular during the holidays and remains a very popular gift. Compatible with the iPhone 16/15 Series, Samsung S22/23 Series, iPad Pro/Air, AirPods, and More. Avail in five colors.

3. Wicked Good Cupcakes (Wicked Good)

We love these cupcakes in a jar, and you can choose among yummy flavors like red velvet, salted caramel, cookies and cream and so much more! SAVE 15% FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WITH LOVE25

4. Heart Designed Press-On Nails (Amazon)

How cute are these heart designed for nails? The package includes 24 pieces of heart fake nails and jelly glue stickers.

5. Rugged and Dapper Lip Balm – 4 pack (Amazon)

rugged and dapper

This was incredibly popular for a stocking stuffer this past Christmas and we know if would be an equally popular gift for Valentine’s Day.

6. Lego BrickHeadz Valentine’s Bear (Amazon)

We hope our kids NEVER outgrow their Lego love.

7. The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse (Amazon)

The boy, mole, fox and horse

This book is an international best-seller by British illustrator, artist, and author Charlie Mackesy and is filled with a powerful message about home, kindness, and friendship.

8. Sol de Janeiro Lip Butter (Amazon)

This is ideal for having nourished and moisturized, smooth, soft lips. This flavor has notes of caramelized vanilla and toasted macadamia.

9. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)

lip treatment

This super-popular lip treatment would make a fantastic gift for a teen who loves trendy beauty products.

10. Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set (Amazon)

Your daughter can create cults without damaging her hair with this bestselling set of satin hair curlers.

11. Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter (Amazon)

This body butter from super-popular Sol de Janeiro brand might be just want your daughter needs, especially if she is in a cold climate which can brutal to skin.

12. Touchland Mist Hand Sanitizer Spray – Rosewater Scented (Amazon)

This award-winning spray sanitizer has blend of rose petals,  blackcurrant buds and a refreshing infusion of rosewater that makes it much more likely to be used than any hum-drum medicinal smelling sanitizer.

13. Beskar Rechargeable Hand Warmer (Amazon)

Trudging across campus in frigid cold weather can made a tiny bit warmer with these rechargeable hand warmers. Available in eight colors. BRRR

14. Silicone Popcorn Popper (Amazon)

Make four cups of popcorn in this collapsible, silicone popcorn maker. The lid serves as a measuring cup for the popcorn; place in a microwave for 2-4 minutes, no oil needed.

15. Hanes Ecosmart Hoodie for Men (Amazon)

Super-soft and fleecy hoodie that is available in 30 colors. Find women’s Hanes hoodies here.

16.  Wooden Flower Bouquet Building Kit (Uncommon Goods)

Gift puzzle and plant enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind bouquet that never fades — they just have to assemble it themselves first. It takes about three hours to put together, includes step-by-step instructions, and the pieces snap together — no glue required.

Uncommon Goods – $40

 

17. Mother-Daughter Bracelet Sets (Amazon)


Do you have a daughter in college, or heading to college next year? The sentiment in this sweet bracelet says it all.

18. Kendra Scott Valentine’s Day Jewelry Collection (Kendra Scott)

We think any of these beautiful inspired-by-Cupid pieces would make perfect Valentine’s Day gifts. There are gorgeous earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings that your daughter would love to wear year-round — available in sterling silver and various gold finishes.

19. Squishmallows Francine Purple Frog (Amazon)

Love the variety of Squishmallows to choose from – this cute purple frog caught our eye, reminding us of the saying…you have to kiss a lot of frogs…

20. Casegrace Travel Jewelry Box (Amazon)

These lightweight and tiny jewelry boxes have been very popular, well-priced gifts. This one has a transparent top and comes in three pretty colors.

21. The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them (Amazon)

Defining Decade

Dr. Meg Jay is the author of this bestselling book on why this decade is so consequential.

22. Heart-Shaped Tea Bags (Uncommon Goods)

Is your teen a tea lover? Opt for these charming heart-shaped bags, including 5 English Breakfast, 5 Earl Grey, and 5 White Berry teabags.

Uncommon Goods – $36

23. Bombas Socks, Slippers, T-shirts (Bombas)

There is not a cozier winter gift than a new pair of socks and Bombas are our favorites! Plus for every item purchased they donate one like item to someone experiencing homelessness. 

24. The Bucket List North America North America (pub 2021) (Amazon)

Help your teen or young adult explore North America With this guidebook.

25. Subscription Box (Cratejoy)

Thera box

Subscription boxes from Cratejoy are available for guys and girls with themes that match all interests. The selection is fantastic! Here are some of the best subscription boxes from 2024 which is a great place to shop for one of the most original Valentine’s gifts we can think of.

Cratejoy

26. lululemon belt bag (lululemon)

We are in love with the lululemon belt bag and think this pink one is perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift.

PopDarts (Amazon)

Everyone’s favorite game this season. 

Amazon $39.98

 

Why you should trust us

We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on products lists for over 12 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable price with high quality and are recommended by our large following.

Prices accurate as of date of publication.

Most Gift Ideas:

Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Guys

About Mary Dell Harrington

Mary Dell is the co-founder of Grown and Flown, the #1 site for parents of teens, college students and young adults, reaching millions of parents every month. She started the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook Group and is co-author of Grown and Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family, and Raise Independent Adults (Flatiron Books) now in paperback.

Read more posts by Mary Dell

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