Valentine’s? Or GAL-entines? (GUY-entines just doesn’t work)

It’s February and our students have been back on college campuses for several weeks. Valentine’s is the perfect time to show them a little love and let them know you miss them.

Valentine’s Day is a day of romance for many, but for years, at our house, it was GAL-entine’s Day. With twin girls, we had girly parties full of pink and red items and treats. Cookie decorating, dipping strawberries in chocolate and adding lots of sparkles and sprinkles and sharing Valentine’s with their gals.

If you have a daughter or niece or another girly girl in your village, you can make their Valentine’s special for them. Encourage them to celebrate GAL-entine’s. (See more about boxes for the guys later.)

In college, it’s not easy to do the things mentioned above – baking and decorating cookies or dipping strawberries in different kinds and colors of chocolate. But you can send them fun decorations and easy snacks.

My favorite item to send in girls’ boxes is a bear hug. I like to send a Warmie, a small stuffed animal that you put in the microwave to heat up for aches and pains. (https://warmies.com/collections/juniors) And for food/treats, I go old-school, with a candy bracelet and tiny conversation hearts. But perhaps the favorite items last year were the sticker and puzzle Valentines I included for our girls to pass out to their friends. It reminded them of elementary school when they gave all their school friends little Valentines.

For the guys, one of my favorite items in ANY box I’ve ever sent is conversation hearts, in the form of beef jerky shaped hearts. They’re not cheap, but such a cute gift to give a guy on what’s traditionally a girly holiday. They even come in a heart-shaped box, like a box of chocolates. https://manlymanco.com/products/meathearts?variant=31479920951379
And this year, I ‘m including something new – the perfect gift for a mom to send her son. It’s a leather keychain with a hidden pocket that contains a little pocket hug – something only the keyholder knows is there. And, of course, the guy boxes have more treats to eat in them, like heart fruit snacks, Rice Krispies treats, and Valentine’s Jelly Bellies.

I’ve also sent gift cards for restaurants so the recipient can take a date or friends to dinner. And I’ve included Uber gift cards, so there’s a set designated driver for the evening’s festivities.

Help make your student’s Valentine’s special by sending them a box of goodies from The College Care Package Company, or make something special on your own. Either way, mid-February, and Valentine’s in particular, is a great time to remind your students how loved they are.