Sounds like you are trying to change him to what you want instead of changing yourself to be what you want. We can't change other people.

I don't think it is a good idea to "demand" cards and gifts, that sort of defeats the purpose of "gift" as being freely given. I'd be resentful at your insisting on a card so seriously. I "insist" on chocolate bunnies for Easter but it's a joke between me and my husband and if he were to forget, I wouldn't be hurt, it's just a piece of chocolate!

We can let others know how much we appreciate what we're given but I don't think it is a good idea, for you or him, to feel bad about not getting a card. Other people can't make us feel bad, we do that to ourselves with our own expectations; your boyfriend isn't responsible for what you want, you are; he has his own wants and life he has to take care of.

You may be pushing him too much with your wants and hidden agendas even wanting to be particularly close right now if he wants space to work on his school work or some other aspect of his life can feel like a burden, still giving so much hidden weight to a simple card that wasn't given (its time is over!), that's only hurting yourself.