Results: Sweet History Of Conversation Hearts

Did you get any hearts last year? The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans spent nearly $26 billion on candy last Valentine's Day. CandyStore.com reports that conversation hearts were the most popular Valentine's Day candy in 17 states in 2023. Roughly 13 million pounds of conversation hearts are sold in the six weeks leading up to the holiday. So whether you love them or hate them, these flirtatious hearts are a V-Day staple.

When Were Conversation Hearts Invented? The history of conversation hearts dates back to 1847, but their origin story is not what you'd expect. The machine used to make the candies was initially invented to create medicine.

How Have Conversation Hearts Changed Over The Years? As classic as they may be, conversation hearts still adapt to the times. they introduced several different sayings throughout the 20th century, with gems like "fax me" and "page me" to reference new technology. Others infused modern (at the time) slang. "Excuse My Dust," "I'll See You Home," "23 Skidoo," and "Go Fly A Kite" dominated the early 1900s before being retired. Mid-century sayings like "My Aching Back," "Hep Cat," and "You're Hip" also didn't age well.

What Do Conversation Hearts Say Now? This Valentine's Day, Sweethearts is celebrating situationships everywhere with new, limited-edition candy hearts. Perfect for "confused singles everywhere," the Sweethearts Situationships box features its signature heart-shaped candies, but instead of cute messages like "Be Mine" or "Forever," the messages on the hearts are misprinted and blurry. (a situationship is "a relationship that is more than friendship but less than a committed relationship.")