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Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to send a college care package or surprise your teen with a small but unique gift. Sending a little present is a wonderful way to show your older kids that you’re thinking of them on this day…and every day.
Valentine’s Day college care package ideas
Here are some popular care package ideas from Grown and Flown families: pjs, fuzzy socks, candy, gift cards to local restaurants or Starbucks, a surprise Venmo gift, Uber gift card, snacks, lip balm, cookies (heart-shaped or their favorites) and/or brownies to share. More ideas for gifts below.
Best Valentine’s Day gifts for teens and college students
1. Neliblu Heart Stress Balls – 12 pack (Amazon)
Send a dozen (or more) Valentine’s stress balls to your college student and let them share with roommates and hall mates.
2. Lumarice Motivational Stress Balls (5 Pack) (Amazon)
These stress balls have motivational messages – also showing them you care!
3. Kate Space Heart Pens – Set of 5 (Amazon)
Kate Spade has a Valentine’s Day Gift Guide where you can find lots of cute festive gifts. This black ink pen set could be a practical choice.
4. Glamnetic Press-On Nails (Amazon)
Choose from dozens of different designs and lengths with Valentine’s themes. Glamnetic is an award-winning brand with durable nails that last up to two weeks per wear. Easy to remove, too.
5. Happy Valentine’s Day Care Package (Hugabox)
With a mission statement of “Send love and do good. Care packages with purpose,” Hugabox makes it easy for parents to send care packages to their college-age teens who need a bit of love from home. This Hugabox includes Seattle Chocolate treats, festive Valentine LED lights, and a cute letter board they can use all year. With each box purchased, Hugabox donates to a leading Sarcoma Cancer research institute.
6. The Woobles Crochet Kit (Amazon)
Cold weather months may make an indoor activity more interesting for your teen and The Woobles crochet kits could be a good idea for a Valentine’s Day gift. Not only are there animals to choose from but also Hello Kitty, Minecraft, Harry Potter and more. This is the #1 bestseller in Crochet Kits on Amazon.
7. Rugged and Dapper Lip Balm – 4 pack (Amazon)
This brand of lip balm was incredibly popular with Grown and Flown families this past Christmas and we know if would be an equally popular gift for your son for Valentine’s Day.
8. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2019) (Amazon)
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. It is a classic, all about love.
9. Sol de Janeiro Lip Butter (Amazon)
This lip balm can help your daughter keep her lips nourished and moisturized, especially during the cold winter months. This flavor has notes of caramelized vanilla and toasted macadamia.
10. Kendra Scott Jewelry (Amazon)
Find necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with heart-shaped stones from Kendra Scott.
11. 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.
12. Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer – Artist Series (Amazon)
Trudging across campus in frigid cold weather can made a tiny bit warmer with these rechargeable hand warmers. The Artist Series have pretty floral patterns in mini sizes which would be a lovely and practical gift for your daughter. Here’s where you can find all the Ocoopa hand warmers in case you prefer a solid color or larger pair.
13. Hanes Ecosmart Hoodie for Men (Amazon)
Super-soft and fleecy hoodie that is available in 30 colors. Find Hanes women’s hoodies here.
14. Lego Roses (Amazon)
Roses that will never wilt!
15. LuSeran Hair Clips – Pack of 8 (Amazon)
Oversized claw clips and banana clips make styling long hair a breeze. There are sets in many different colors but we think pink for Valentine’s Day works well.
16. 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. For an additional Valentine’s treat, slip in a gift card to Starbucks or some money where your daughter can treat herself and friends for a coffee or a quick bite to eat.
17. Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set (Amazon)
This heat-free curling set makes it easy to wake up to soft, frizz-free curls without damaging hair with hot tools, making it perfect for busy mornings, dorm life, or overnight styling. Made with smooth satin and designed to be comfortable to sleep in, the 34″ curling rod and matching scrunchies work on all hair types. These are the #1 bestsellers in Hair Rollers on Amazon. Save 20%.
18. Korcci Microwave Silicone Popper Maker (Amazon)
Add kernels, pop it in the microwave, and enjoy freshly popped popcorn in minutes — no oil or mess required — ideal for dorm rooms, cozy nights in, or cute snack dates. Stores flat which makes it practical for a dorm or college apartment. Save 23%.
19. LEGO Valentine’s Bear (Amazon)
This 150-piece set lets your teen or young adult assemble an adorable brick bear holding a big red heart, complete with a little bee friend and picnic details. Perfect mini LEGO set to display on a desk, shelf, or dorm room.
20. Mother Daughter Bracelets – Desimtion Store (Amazon)
These cute bracelets celebrate the special bond between moms and daughters, even when you’re apart. Featuring adjustable, stainless-steel hearts and message cards that read “Never Truly Part, Maybe in Distance, But Never in Heart,” it’s a sweet reminder of love that lasts through every stage — from teens to college and beyond.
21. Lonely Planet’s Dream Trips of the World – 2024 (Amazon)
Give the gift of inspiration with this beautifully illustrated travel book packed with adventurous ideas and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to spark wanderlust in teens and college students.
22. Hershey’s Kisses Heart Candy Gift Box – 6.5 ounces (Amazon)
What’s Valentine’s Day without chocolates? This heart-shaped box of kisses is a classic treat. Add a 10 oz bag of kisses so your teen can refill this little heart box to share with friends. This is the #1 bestseller in Candy & Chocolate Bars. Here’s where you can find all the Hershey’s Valentine’s Day treats.
23. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)
Pamper your teen or college student with this luxurious and hydrating overnight lip treatment. February has such cold and dry weather in much of the country that this popular lip skin care product might be a very welcome gift.
24. TONYMOLY Very Berry Strawberry Valentine’s Day Gift Set
TONYMOLY, a Korean cosmetics brand know for playful products and packaging, has a two-piece gift set including strawberry-scented hand cream and candle. (Note: candles are typically not allowed in college dorms but if your daughter lives in a college apartment, this could work for her.)
25. Valentine’s Day CRAVEBOX Care Package (Amazon)
If you want to send a Valentine’s Care Package for a group, this CRAVEBOX Care Package of 50 snacks might work well for your teen and their friends.
26. Le Chatelaine Hand Cream Gift Set – 3 Pack (Amazon)
This luxurious French hand cream arrives in a pretty tin box. This set includes Cherry Almond, Wild Fig, and Gardenia. Other scents are available.
27. Darn Tough Vermont Truffle Hog Socks for Men (Amazon)
Does your son love to wear whimsical socks? These “Truffle Hog” crew socks from legendary brand Darn Tough Vermont could make a great gift. They may be a little pricey but they are “Guaranteed for Life — if these socks wear, tear, or develop holes, Darn Tough will replace them. No strings. No conditions. For life.” (Amazon website)
28. Larabar Chocolate Variety Pack – 18 Bars (Amazon)
My family loves Larabars and I think this could make a popular, sharable Valentine’s Day gift for your college or high school student for their hall mates or team mates. Includes six each of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Double Chocolate Truffle. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan.
29. Juicy Couture DIY Charm Bracelet Kit (Amazon)
The kit includes 10 charms, 390 colorful beads, 50 jump rings, 3 chains, 3 satin cords, and an elastic cord…everything your tween or teen needs to make Juicy Couture (which is popular, once again) bracelets.
30. Juicy Couture Charm Pink Stone Charm Bracelet (Amazon)
If you prefer a ready-made Juicy charm bracelet for your daughter, this one chunky gold tone bracelet features three charms.
31. e.l.f. Glow Reviver Plumping Lip Oil Kit
This popular brand of cosmetics, e.l.f., has a lip kit that includes for “plumping lip oils” with four shades: Burst Bubble, Ultraviolet, Talk That Taupe (kit exclusive) and Heavy Petal (kit exclusive). Save 50%.
32. Spongelle Pink Camellia Body Buffer
Spongelle can be used as a body wash and exfoliator as it is Infused with a scented body wash, leaving skin silky-smooth. many different scents and package designs available.
33. Eberjey Gisele PJs (Amazon)
A new pair of PJs would make a great Valentine’s gift and the Eberjey Gisele pjs come in many pretty colors. These long sleeve and long pant ones would be cozy if your daughter lives in a cold winter climate, in particular.
34. Hue Mini Crew Socks – 6 pack (Amazon)
Your daughter might love the pink socks for Valentine’s Day and the other five pair to replenish the ones that might be missing their mate. These get great reviews and are well-priced for a set of six.
35. Adidas Unisex Trefoil – 6 Pack (Amazon)
No red or pink colored socks in this pack of six unisex Adidas socks…still a great gift anytime.
36. LEGO Heart Ornament (Amazon)
This is a Valentine’s Day gift your teen could display all year!
37. Cash in a Candy Box
Buy a Valentine’s Day box of candy and replace the chocolates with money! You eat the chocolate, your teen gets to buy whatever they want on the 14th. Win.Win.
Why You Can Trust Us
We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on products lists for over 14 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of over 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:
