Valentine’s Day during the Civil War.

It’s Valentine’s Day and many of us are busy planning sweet surprises: flower arrangements, chocolate, and lovely cards for our sweethearts. Although we should all value our loved ones on a daily basis, we sometimes need a special day to make an extra effort to let them know how much they are needed and appreciated in our lives. Valentine’s cards are a big part of this special day, modern love letters you could say. In a time where handwritten notes or love letters have been replaced by electronic greetings and standardized cards, it’s still nice to get a customized proclamation of love.

During the Civil War era Valentine’s Day cards were popular among the lonely soldiers and their waiting wives and sweethearts. The country had many plants that manufactured cards, targeting soldiers away from home. Some of the cards showed sweethearts parting and others pictured battlefield tents. Other Valentines were more creative, such as a heart split in two, reflecting the absence of their loved ones and the soldiers longing for their homes.

Troops encamped in tents made window Valentines with flaps to reveal a soldier inside waiting for his sweetheart with open arms. Another popular novelty during the Civil War was a Valentine containing a lock of hair from a girlfriend or wife far away, which the soldiers treasured. Something known as a Puzzle Purse was invented during this time as well. These were formed by folding the four corners of a square envelope inward and writing a message on the inside of each flap. Many times the puzzle contained a piece of jewelry or a lock of a lover’s hair.

Remember your loved ones on this special day and put some thought into doing Valentine’s Day the old fashioned way; write a nice poem or make a handmade card from you to your dearest.