36 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Teens and College Kids (2023)

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.

For more of our best Valentine’s Day gifts, look at the Grown and Flown Amazon Shop for our curated list of adorable gift ideas and sweet treats at all price points. We have plenty of ideas for teens, college students, and adults.

Note: We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post.

Great Valentine’s Day gifts for teens and college students

1. Hot Chocolate on a Stick 

Hot chocolate is a favorite drink during the cold winter months. These look so delicious that we might order some for our teenagers AND some for us.
hot chocolate on a stick

2. Custom Pisa Bracelet

The best-selling bracelet on Baublebar will delight your teen daughter and make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Baublebar

3. Bombas Valentine’s Socks, Slippers and More

We can’t think of a more practical gift for Valentine’s Day than socks, and Bombas has adorable collections for both men and women. When you buy a pair of socks (or any item…cue, CUTE slippers!) Bombas donates an item to someone experiencing homelessness: kindness, one pair of socks (slippers, t-shirt, etc.) at a time.

4. Valentine’s Lego Set

This 130-piece set would be an excellent gift for teens who are still active lego players or college students who would love to remember their favorite toys during their younger years. This fun gift is one that a friend group could also enjoy working on together.

Lego set

5. City Adventurer Lululemon Mini Backpack

This mini backpack from super-popular Lululemon was one of our top sellers this holiday season. It would be a wonderful gift for a teenage girl or college student to take to the gym or as an everyday bag.

6. Ansley Water Resistant Slipper from Ugg

We love Ugg slippers, and ours keep our feet toasty warm on even the most frigid winter mornings. Available in several different colors.

Ugg slipper

7. Heart-Shaped Shower Steamer Set

If you like the idea of shower steamers but want something more Valentine’s Day themed, these are also great and so pretty. 

heart-shaped shower steamer

8. Hugabox Valentine’s Day Care Package

Sending your love on Valentine’s Day is so important, and at hugabox, they do it in style…from the high-quality treats and fun items in the box to the special messaging. Their select group of V-day care packages will brighten anyone’s day!

And with each care package purchased (hugabox gives 90% of proceeds to Pediatric Sarcoma Cancer Research), you will be part of a growing movement helping to eradicate childhood cancer. Send LOVE and Do Good this Valentine’s Day!

9. Fan Gear 

March Madness 2023 begins on March 12 with Selection Sunday, so send new fan gear for their favorite team from Fanatics, the best place to shop for officially-licensed NCAA merchandise. This is one of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for the college basketball fans in your family.

fan gear

10. Little Words Project Bracelets

Arm candy just got a boost. These bracelets are wearable reminders about how the little things make a big difference, and they are perfect for spreading love on Valentine’s Day.

11. Sorel Winter Carnival Boots

New boots will keep your teens feeling cozy all season long. We like The Sorel Winter Carnival for a stylish option with a great name.

You can conveniently order a pair from Zappos. Who wouldn’t love to dream of going to a winter carnival in them?

Sorrel boots


12. Kendra Scott Valentine’s Day Gift Collection

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.

13. Leatherology

We love all the fantastic leather goods at Leatherology, and many things can be personalized if you plan. Passport covers, luggage tags, toiletry bags, totes, wallets, and more are all in their Valentine’s Day Gift Guide.

By the way, if your teen or young adult is looking for a gift for a boyfriend or girlfriend, they might find something great here.

Leatherology gifts

14. Lip Balm

Lip balm is essential for teens in school in cold and dry climates. Jack Black is a favorite brand marketed for guys, but we think the lip balms are exceptional for everyone.
jack black

15. Crocs Fuzzy Slippers

Crocs are super-popular, and these fleece-lined, golden slide crocs have just the right amount of bling that could be perfect for any teen with a bold sense of style.

gold crocs

17. Fresh Flowers and Plants — Save 30% with a subscription

Shop a wide variety of fresh flowers and plants, including gorgeous red and pink bouquets and this pair of pretty adorable Hoya succulent plants.Bouqs flowers

18. Snap Tote from Minted

Adorable style meets affordable function in a 100% cotton bag that can be personalized with a FREE foil-pressed leather tag. This one has your teen’s name on it. Literally.

19. Godiva Chocolates

Need we say more? These chocolates from Godiva would be a wonderful gift for your teen, college student, or anyone you are shopping for. Chocolates are one of THE classic Valentine’s gifts, and Godiva has a wide variety of chocolate candies.

chocolates

20. Reversible Pullover by Marine Layer

This reversible sweater was super-popular with Grown and Flown moms shopping for their sons during the holidays. The quilted sweater is super stretchy and is navy on one side and olive on the other. This could be a perfect gift idea for your college student.

Marine layer

21. Truffle Kit 

If you are looking for an experience gift, consider this truffle-making kit. Ask them to share with you when they’ve finished a batch of these delicious-looking chocolate truffles. Ingredients and recipes are included. Perfect for any teen with a sweet tooth who loves to bake.

chocolate truffles

22. 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster

Movie lovers would enjoy scratching off each movie as they see them. This is a fun idea for teens who enjoy watching classic films and newer releases.

movie scratch off poster

23. Glossier Cloud Paint

Glossier is a favorite cosmetics line of many teens and college students and this unique blush, “cloud paint,” is something any girl or young woman would love to try. Available in six shades.

Glossier cloud paint

24. Heart Shaped Throw Pillow

This throw pillow is an adorable addition to any college dorm or teen’s room. Available from Pottery Barn Teen, one of our favorite shops for bedding, linens, and gifts.

heart pillow

25. Heart Pajamas

Adorable PJs from Target that your daughter will love to wear year-round. These are made from 100% cotton and are machine washable.

26. The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small

Here are 1000 adventures for teens and young adults. This book is a great gift idea for anyone who loves to travel or plans to do so this summer.

27. Subscription 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 2023, which is a great place to shop for one of the most original Valentine’s gifts we can think of.

Thera box

28. Alumni Association

Is your college student looking ahead a few short months toward graduation? One of the longest-lasting perks of being a college graduate is becoming a member of a college or university alumni association. Spring for membership and let them take advantage of privileges, including discounts, career support, and networking.

29. Wicked Good Cupcakes

We love these cupcakes, and you can choose among yummy flavors like Valentine’s Velvet, Cupid’s Confetti, Mocha, and more.

30. Chocolate “Pizza” Heart with Mallet 

And if you’re not in the mood to bake, here’s something tasty and fun.

choc heart

31. Bubble Tea Kit

Now they can brew the drink they can chew at home. With this complete kit, your teens and their friends can whip up a hot or cold batch of boba tea. This is one gift that will have them coming back for more.

bubble tea kit

32. Heart Slippers

Your teen can put their feet up in these adorable and comfortable slippers.

33. Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy Eau de Parfum

Love this slim perfume from super-star Ariana Grande.

34. The Classic Bundle from Venus et Fleur

You can make three stunning pieces personal, change the colors or votive: a  Le Mini Round, a Le Mini Square, and your choice of one of our three fragrant Votives. The box is available in seven colors. Lasts for an entire year.

Roses

35. Lip and Nail Duet

A two-piece lip and nail set featuring a lip gloss and a treatment-enriched nail polish.

lip gloss and nail polish

36. Mongolian Cashmere Sweater

Quince’s cashmere sweaters, $50.00 crewnecks for women, and $59.50 v-necks and crewnecks for men are sustainably made, affordable, and come in dozens of colors. We love this gift to keep our loved ones cozy all winter long.

For More Great Valentine’s Day gift ideas:

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Teens and College Students: Under $25

Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Him: 28 Gifts for Teen Boys and Men

About Lisa Endlich Heffernan

Lisa (Endlich) Heffernan 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. Lisa is a New York Times bestselling author.
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 Lisa

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