~1100s-1200s

Medieval favors were given as tokens of love and friendship. These were often used as expressions of Courtly Love, a concept popularized by medieval literature around the subject.

In the middle ages, these favors often took the form of fabrics to could be easily tied to a knight as a symbol of public devotion or tucky away more quietly into armor. Gloves, scarves, embrodiered handkerchiefs, and even sleeves were popular choices.

1400s-1700s

Posey rings contained short phrases or poems inscribed inside the bands. These engravings were generally of a relgious or romantic nature, and many were quite sweet.

Some phrases that have been found on Posey Rings:

"As I prove I wish your love"

"Certainly my choice"

"Loue to be louved"

"Yours to command"

"My heart is thine"

Late 1600s-1800s

Welsh Love spoons were wooden spoons carved with intricate patterns & symbols of love, presented to women as a sign of courtship. Love spoons were also meant to show off the skill of the carver, showing that they would be a fine match.

Lovers would occasionaly carve these spoons for their partners over long journeys and present them as a token upon returning home.

Late 1700s-1800s

This style of origami orignated in Japan (referred to as "Tato") and then made it's way to western Europe & the Americas in the 1700s, where it became a popular syle for love letters.

Intricately folded, senders would often write a short message on every fold of the paper.

Mid 1700s-Early 1900s (But also forever)

Giving flowers as a token of love is the classic option. It can be traced so incredibly far back, even to ancient Egypt.

However, flowers had their hayday particularly in the Victorian era, when flower meanings were popularized & floriography became meanstream. Bouquets were often crafted based upon flower meaning & contained specifical messages.

Some victorian flower meanings:

Gardenia: Secret Love

Poppy: I am not free

Ivy: Friendship

Pea: Meet me by the moonlight

Jasmine: Sweet love

1790-1820

Lovers Eyes were intimate, miniature portraits of the giver's eye presented to a lover, often set into the form of jewelry.

The concept was that the wearer would be the only one able to recognize the image, and so it could be worn publically whlst keeping their lover's identity a secret. However, it's likely that these items were worn mostly in private and kept hidden.

1800s

Love tokens were flat, coin-like metal tokens. While some were decorated with stones or enamel, most love tokens were engraved with names or monogram-style initials.

Soliders would often send them to their lovers when they were away at war. During their peak craze in the United States, it was said that their popularity caused a shortage of dimes.

These tokens were often turned into jewelry, such as necklaces or cufflinks.

1850s-1980s

Romantic holidays have long been celebrated, but the first mass-produced valentines cards were manufactured by Esther Howland, causing a Valentines boom to go off in the United States.

In later years Hallmark charged in as well, creating a wide variety of valentines.

Early 1900s

They're chalky, they're distinctive, you know them and you probably love or hate them. Conversation hearts are pressed sugar candies decorated with little messages.

Legend traces their history back to the mid 1800s, but 1901 is when the sugary snack would become something comparable to what we see on the market today.

Messages were originally longer, such as “Married in white, you have chosen right” or “Married in pink, he’ll take to drink," but today these phrases are trimmed own considerably shorter to say things like "Be mine" or "Kiss me."

1940s-1950s

Sometimes also referred to as Puzzle Hankies, many love hankies feature a secret message or image if folded a certain way.