12 Sweet Valentine’s Care Package Ideas for College Students

This post: 12 Sweet Valentine’s Care Package Ideas for College Students

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! And, if you have a college student you’re missing, it’s the perfect time to send them a little something to remind them of how much they’re loved!

Your favorite college student is sure to love and appreciate whatever you send them, so don’t stress about making your box look perfect. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It certainly doesn’t have to cost a lot. And, if you’re strapped for time, it doesn’t have to take hours to create! It just has to be filled with a heaping spoonful of love! It’s the thought that counts!

Stumped on what to put in your care package? Really anything goes, but here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

• Heart-shaped candy box (or any red or pink candy)
• Sweet & salty snacks (cookies, chips, gum, etc.)
• Coffee, tea, drinks
• S’mores supplies
• Mug
• Fuzzy socks
• Cozy blanket
• Stuffed animal
• Gift card
• Bath & body products (bath bombs, lotion, nail care items, aftershave, fancy soap, etc.)
• Perfume or cologne
• Little love note(s)
• Photos or framed pictures
• Book or magazine
• Candle (Great for students who live in an apartment – most dorms won’t allow candles)
• Hoodie
• Handmade gifts
• Notepad or stationary
• Entertainment gifts (adult coloring book, games, puzzles, word search, etc.)

If you’re looking for a bunch of adorable FREE Valentine’s Day Printables, be sure to check out these from The Spruce Crafts!

Here are 12 oh-so-sweet Valentine’s care package ideas any college student would love!

#1 Sending You a Hug from Home

When your college student is far from home and all you want to do is give them a hug, a cute care package like this one is the next best thing! Use craft paper to make handprint and letter cut-outs and decorate with fun stickers. Soft and fuzzy items like socks, a hoodie, or a cozy fleece throw blanket would be perfect to include in this “hug from home” care package!

Source: Pinterest

#2 Spell Out “Valentine’s” Box

Here’s your chance to get ultra-creative with your college student’s care package. Find one item that starts with each of the ten letters that spell out “Valentines.” (For example, animal crackers for “A” and an iTunes gift card for “I.”) Label each item with a heart-shaped sticky note and add a sweet or funny note or poem for each! 

Source: An Affair from the Heart

#3 Pinking of You 

Let your favorite college gal know you’re thinking of her with everything pink! Head over to the Dollar Store, Target, or even the grocery store and pick up inexpensive items that are pink. From bubblegum and candy to soap and fun socks or a t-shirt, she’s going to be tickled PINK when she receives this precious box! 

Source: Pinterest

#4 A Little LOVE from Home

You’ll put a huge smile on your college student’s face with this adorable and clever Valentine’s Day box filled with their favorite treats and surprises from home. Decorate the box with fun paper you can find at any craft store and then fill it with anything your child might love!d Add little notes like those shown here to really make it special!

Source: Almost Empty Nest

#5 Snuggles and Snacks

What college kid wouldn’t flip over this sweet box? Filled with pictures from home, all their favorite snacks and treats, and a cozy stuffed animal to snuggle with, this box will fill their heart with love from home. 

Source: Pinterest

#6 “Open When” Valentine’s Basket

If you have a child, girlfriend, boyfriend or bestie who is away at college, this Valentine’s Day gift basket is the perfect gift. Fill a basket, bucket, or wrapped box with their favorite sweets, sentimental gifts, a college t-shirt (because what college student doesn’t love to show their collegiate spirit), and several “open when” letters and they’ll feel your love no matter how far away from home they are.

Image: Pinterest

#7 Will You Be My Valentine?

We love the simple creativity of this care package idea! You can really have fun with this one! Just add adorable notes to each item you put in the box for a fun and funny box they’ll love. 

Image: Twins Dish

#8 We Miss You All “RED-y” Box

Even if it seems like your college student just went back to school after the holiday, chances are you miss them already! Hit up a dollar store for one-stop shopping to grab some letter stickers, red craft paper, and all kinds of red items and decorations. Adding in a few lottery tickets will ensure this one’s a red-hot surprise!

Source: Pinterest

#9 Hearts for YOU

What better way to show them that they’re loved than by filling a box with hearts? Add little notes to your hearts to really make your student feel special and wrap up a few simple gifts in red and pink tissue paper. Any easy-to-re-create box that’s sweet as can be!

Source: Unknown

#10 Valentine’s Day Spa Package

Don’t have time to create the perfect Valentine’s Day care package? Let someone else do the creative running for you! This precious spa package for purchase on Etsy is just too cute for any girl who needs a little reminder that self-care is important. Buy it or recreate the idea on your own! (Easy to switch this idea up for guys, too!)

Purchase this care package on Etsy HERE

#11 You Knock My Socks Off

This box is so cute, yet so easy – especially when you have access to the adorable printables (for purchase)! Fill this box with everything red and pink and attach little love notes for a care package your child will always remember!

Grab the printables for purchase at Skip to My Lou HERE

#12 Self-Care n’ Snacks from Mom or Dad

Perfect for any stressed college kid, this fun care package is filled with all their favorite snacks and a little tender loving care from home, including Vitamin C tablets, a nail kit, Theraflu, a candle and so much more. Too cute! This one will let them know mama (or dad) is thinking of them!

Source: Home Has My Heart

If you enjoyed reading, “12 Sweet Valentine’s Care Package Ideas for College Students,” be sure to check out these other Valentine’s Day-inspired posts! 

12 Sweet Ways to Surprise Your Teen this Valentine’s Day

22 Crazy Cute DIY Valentine’s Gift Basket Ideas

25 DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Teens Will Love