Valentine’s Day is a special time to show your loved ones how much you care, and that includes your college-aged son or daughter. As a college parent, you may not be able to be there in person to celebrate with your child, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make them feel loved and appreciated. Here are some fun and creative ways to show your college student how much you care on Valentine’s Day.
Send a Valentine’s Day Care Package
Put together a box of their favorite snacks, treats, and little surprises. Include a heartfelt note or a cute Valentine’s Day card. This will show them that you are thinking of them and that you know their likes and dislikes.
Fun Ideas to Include in a Valentine’s Day Care Package
- Cozy wearable blanket
- Favorite Snacks: popcorn, trail mix, granola bars, fruit leather, chips, crackers
- Valentine’s Candy: conversation hearts, jelly beans, Hershey kisses
- Valentine’s Day Card
- Tortilla blanket
- Write a heartfelt letter to your child expressing your love and pride. Let them know how much you care about them and how proud you are of their accomplishments.
- A massaging pillow
- Cuddly stuffed animal
- 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad
- Cute portable power bank
- Stanley Adventure 40oz Stainless Steel Quencher Tumbler or Hydro Flask
- Stickers
- Mystic 8 Ball
- New headphones
- Adult coloring books and high-end markers or colored pencils
- Paint by numbers project
- Sriracha To-Go Bottle Keychain
- Self-care items: face masks, bubble bath, bath bombs, Epsom salts, fancy soaps
- Journal and fun pens
- Adulting Note Pad
- Magnetic Poetry – College Kit
- Zen Garden
- Silly Socks
- Calming essential oils and a room diffuser
- A mini polaroid camera
- Fun games: LIAR LIAR – The Game of Truths and Lies, Tell Me Without Telling Me, What Do You Meme?, Never Have I Ever
- College fan gear: hoodie or t-shirt
7 Ideas For Parents That Don’t Have Time to Make a Care Package
- Valentine’s Day Care Package from Gourmet Gift Baskets
- Send Fresh Flowers
- Self-Care Subscription Box with products to lift the mind, body & spirit
- Send a SugarWish
- Birthday Chocolate from zChocolat.com – Shower a friend, family member, or colleague with sweetness on their special day
- Dozen Hearts Bacon Bouquet
- If you are unsure about what to get your child, send them a gift card. This way, they can choose something they really want or need. College students love gift cards to their favorite restaurants, stores, and delivery services.

Top 12 Best Gift Cards to Send College Students
- Give the people you love the restaurant delivery they love with a Grubhub gift card.
- UberEats
- DoorDash
- Apple or Google Play
- Target or Walmart
- Starbucks
- Amazon
- Spend $10 for a $25 Certificate at a local restaurant!
- Best Buy
- Sephora or Ulta
- Whole Foods
- Visa or Mastercard Gift Cards
Valentine’s Day is a special time to show your college-aged child how much you care. These are just a few fun and creative ways to do so. Whether you send a care package, a special gift, or write a letter, your child will appreciate the effort and love you put into making Valentine’s Day special for them. Remember, it’s the thought that counts and your college student will feel loved and appreciated knowing you took the time to make them feel special.

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