Melanie’s Gift Ideas: Valentine’s Day

By: Melanie Seepersad | Published: February 6, 2026

Valentine’s Day is a holiday full of love and care. Many students have loved ones that they want to give back to but may be unsure what to gift them. A simple chocolate and card may suffice, but it is always better to spice up gifts for loved ones.  

“Every year, I always give my mom some money inside a greeting card. I mean, she doesn’t complain about it, and it saves me money, but I’m also getting tired of doing it all the time. I just never have the time to actually plan something out and I’m not that creative,” said an attending Kean student, Jonathan Robateau, a junior majoring in Communications. 

For Kean students who may need ideas that are effective and thoughtful, this guide can direct you into buying gifts for those you love while also giving you inspiration for other gifts as well. There are many options that are available for all ages and genders. It is best recommended to buy gifts that you think the person will love based on their interests, such as favorite colors, foods, entertainments, etc. 

“It’s not easy to buy for people when you don’t know what they’re interested in,” said another attending Kean student, Sarah Knoetig, a junior and Communications–Public Relations major. “It just feels horrible when you don’t know what they’re into and they’re just accepting a gift out of gratitude when in reality they might not actually like it.” 

Any gifts given to loved ones are always memorable and appreciated, and this list is a gift-giving guide to help you choose the perfect gift, ranging from ages under three to kids to tweens and teens, young adults, adults, and elders, while also including a “safe option” for coworkers, family members, and friends. 

Kids, Tweens and Teens

Children under the age of three are the easiest to buy for. Babies love to snuggle with teddy bears, as it can be comforting for them. A baby blanket is also a comforting gift for children under three, as it is usually cold around this time, and you can never go wrong with a baby blanket as a gift. Lastly, baby clothes that are Valentine’s Day themed would be the cutest idea as a gift, since babies can never have enough clothes. Even if baby clothes are a given idea, they are not the easiest to shop for. Pro Tip: even if baby clothes sizes run by the baby month, that does not mean it is the baby’s exact size. Some babies can be taller, shorter, or even chubbier, and those factors can affect how it fits the child. 

For kids ages three to ten, candy is relatively the easiest thing to give them . Many places sell Valentine’s Day-themed candies, and it is guaranteed that the kids will love them. Also, Valentine’s Day craft kits are a fun idea for kids to be more creative and expressive. Kits like painting, drawing, or stickers entertain the kids for a long period of time and help them become more artistic. Lastly, coloring books are a great inexpensive gift and are easily sold anywhere. Not only do they have coloring sections, but also word puzzles or spot-the-difference sections. Coloring books provide an illustrative side for kids while keeping them busy and distracted. 

Tweens are always creative with their styles and like to experiment with cute fashion, which makes Valentine’s Day the perfect day to dress up. Buying cute/fun jewelry for Valentine’s Day would be the perfect gift for tweens to accessorize their V-Day outfits! If not fun jewelry, then Legos are another option as a V-Day gift. They have a variety of sets for Valentine’s Day, and it is a fun way to develop cognitive skills while having fun. Legos are also good for room decoration and add a pop to the bedroom while also looking cute and lasting a long time.  

Teens are a bit tricky when it comes to buying gifts that they may not ask for. However, buying things that will keep them entertained would be the best gift for them, which is why tickets to the movies would be a great gift. Moreover, blankets are a great gift for teens, as they love their beds, and it is the perfect addition to their bedroom. Teens also love metal water bottles, specifically the brands Stanley and Owala. They are reusable, durable, stylish, and effective. These water bottles come in a variety of colors, so they are great for both genders, which is why they are a great option for a V-Day gift.

Adults

Young adults enjoy gifts that can be fun and stylish while also being cozy and warm. With this, a bag or wallet would be a great gift. It does not have to be an expensive item, but a bag or wallet that follows that person’s fashion choice would be exceptional. Something cozy for a young adult would be a robe, as it is comfortable and warm, especially with the cold weather. Another thoughtful and loving gift for V-Day would be a trip to a spa or a spa gift card. Massages and facials are always the best soothing self-care a person can receive for all the hard work that they do. 

For adults, customized items are the best gifts to consider. The best choices for Valentine’s Day gifts are customized mugs or jewelry. Mugs are always used by adults to drink beverages, especially coffee and tea, which makes them the perfect gift. Mugs that are customized can be special, even the mugs that reveal their image when hot liquid is in the mug. Jewelry is also ideal for Valentine’s Day, but adding a customization makes it even more touching. An ideal home gift would be an aromatherapy diffuser, as it is relaxing and has different scents for types of relief. For any adult, like mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, or even cousins and friends, would enjoy these kinds of gifts. 

At this point in age, elder adults might have received everything they could ask for. Elder adults are forever grateful and cherish the items they are given as a gift. For this, small, quality accessories are great for elders, specifically anything that is their favorite color. Scarves and easy-to-clasp necklaces are ideal for elderly women. Books are also great for elderly people who love to read, so buying a book or a book series by their favorite author would be a considerate gift. Authors love to send signed copies of their books as well in giveaways, which would be even better if luck plays well. An inexpensive gift for elders could be a candle or a set of candles, as they can be calming and add a warm glow to their house.

Seniors value memories and love to spend time with their loved ones. They are at a more sentimental time in their lives, so buying them items that may help them relive the memories is the best gift. Photo albums and photo frames are also a great choice  for seniors, so they can always look at the pictures, remembering the heartfelt memories. Bedroom slippers are also a simple but cute gift so elders can walk around the house with comfort. If the elder person loves doing puzzles, Valentine’s Day-themed word puzzle books are also a considerate gift. It can exercise their mind while also passing time for them, as most elderly people do not enjoy sitting down, doing nothing.  

For the “all-age/safe” options, these gifts can be given to any age and gender group, as they are mutually exclusive. V-Day cards are classic and great for members who live long distances. Gift cards can also go well with V-Day cards as an extra “throw-in” gift, but gift cards alone are also an ideal Valentine’s Day present, especially fast-food gift cards. Gift bags with goodies inside are also a considerate, safe option to give to teachers/professors, students, or even babies because there are many party favors and candies to give out to those in your thoughts. A spa care gift basket is also ideal for a safe option because you can never go wrong with self-care products and toiletries that help you feel relaxed and less stressed. 

This guide aims to encourage Kean students to think of creative present ideas for Valentine’s Day. While it has numerous ideas for gifts, some are targeted to be budget-friendly or worth your gold coins. There are many stores like Walmart, Target, Michaels, and Dollar Tree that offer many deals and various items that are perfect for Valentine’s Day. The best option for online shopping and fast shipping is Amazon, which offers a Prime subscription specifically for college students while offering other benefits.  

Valentine’s Day is the day to express your love and appreciation through gift-giving. Show your loved ones how much they are appreciated through these gifts!