5 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts on Amazon to Send to Your College Student
Ah, Valentine’s Day. A holiday filled with heart-shaped chocolates, love songs, and bouquets that cost as much as a month of your kid’s meal plan. While your college student may not have a date for Valentine’s (or maybe they do—let’s not ask too many questions), you can still remind them how much they’re loved. After all, nothing says “we miss you” quite like a surprise Amazon package arriving at their dorm.
To save you from spiraling into a rabbit hole of indecision (and questionable gift ideas), I’ve rounded up five of the best, funniest, and most practical Valentine’s Day gifts you can send your college kid this year.
1. Hug in a Mug: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
Link: Ember Smart Mug on Amazon
What It Is: A high-tech mug that keeps coffee at the perfect temperature for hours. No more microwaving sad, lukewarm coffee.
Why It’s Perfect: College life = caffeine dependency. Whether your student is pulling an all-nighter or suffering through an 8 a.m. lecture, a warm cup of coffee is a lifesaver. The Ember Smart Mug ensures that every sip stays perfectly hot, just like your love for them (aww). Plus, it’s sleek enough to make them look like they have their life together, even if they’re just chugging instant ramen between classes.
2. The “Oops, I Forgot to Eat” Emergency Snack Pack
Link: Care Package Snack Box on Amazon
What It Is: A glorious box of 45+ snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars.
Why It’s Perfect: Forget flowers—food is the true language of love. This snack pack will keep your student fueled during late-night study sessions and impromptu Netflix marathons. It’s also a fantastic way to make them the most popular person in their dorm for about five minutes.
Pro Tip: Write a cheesy note like, “You’re my snack, but here are some extras,” to really nail that parental humor.
3. Because Dorm Lighting is the Worst: LED String Lights with Clips for Photos
Link: Photo Clip LED String Lights on Amazon
What It Is: A set of LED string lights with clips to hang photos, notes, or random Polaroids.
Why It’s Perfect: Let’s be honest—dorm rooms aren’t exactly known for their ambiance. These lights not only brighten up the space but also give your student a chance to hang pictures of you (okay, maybe their friends). Bonus points for sending it pre-loaded with some embarrassing family photos.
4. The Ultimate “Adulting” Hack: Portable Blender
Link: BlendJet Portable Blender on Amazon
What It Is: A compact, rechargeable blender perfect for smoothies, shakes, or even cocktails (we won’t ask).
Why It’s Perfect: College students love convenience, and this blender is basically the Swiss Army knife of kitchen gadgets. It’s great for whipping up a healthy breakfast on the go or pretending they’re living that smoothie-bowl influencer life. Plus, it’s small enough to fit in a dorm room without raising the RA’s eyebrows.
Bonus: It’s dishwasher-safe, because let’s be real—they’re not hand-washing anything.
5. Just for Laughs: Giant Plush Heart Pillow
Link: Giant Plush Heart Pillow on Amazon
What It Is: A ridiculously large, fluffy heart-shaped pillow.
Why It’s Perfect: It’s absurd, it’s cuddly, and it screams “Valentine’s Day.” If your kid is missing home (or just needs something to hug after their midterm), this oversized heart will do the trick. Plus, it makes for a hilarious conversation starter when their roommate walks in.
Parental Tip: Include a note that says, “This is the only acceptable Valentine’s snuggle buddy.”
Final Thoughts: Show Some Love (and Check Out Our Essential Dorm Room Checklist!)
Whether it’s a practical gift, a snack attack in a box, or a goofy pillow, sending a little love to your college student can make their Valentine’s Day extra special. And hey, if you end up buying yourself the Ember Mug too, I’m not judging.
Speaking of making their dorm life better, don’t forget to check out our Essential Dorm Room Checklist for 2025 here. It’s packed with everything they need (and a few things they didn’t know they needed) to survive college life like a champ.
Happy Valentine’s Day, parents—your kids may not say it enough, but they love you. And they definitely love care packages.