These Are the Best Candy Heart Sayings from the Past 120 Years

One of the most iconic symbols of Valentine’s Day is the beloved candy heart. Also known as conversation hearts, these tiny, heart-shaped sugar candies have been a Valentine’s staple for generations. Their charm? Short, sweet messages that capture the spirit of love. Classics like “Be Mine” and “XOXO” share space in the box or bag with fun new candy heart sayings each year.

Spangler Candy Co., which bought OG candy-heart brand Sweethearts from Necco when it went bankrupt in 2018, usually releases an annual theme for its conversation hearts. And this year, Brach’s is turning candy hearts up a notch with its Sweet Bright Conversation Hearts. These aren’t your grandma’s hearts—they’re dual-sided, packed with fun new messages like “Sweetie” on one side and “Cutie” on the other, plus playful emojis and even the American Sign Language (ASL) symbol for “I love you.” And the flavors? Totally crave-worthy. You’ll find six fruity favorites, from Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch and Lemon-Lime to Orange, Cherry and Pineapple. Plus, they come in single-, 4-, and 8-count boxes, perfect for gifting, baking or just enjoying straight from the bag.

So what sweet new romantic messages can you expect from Brach’s this Valentine’s Day? And what memorable candy heart sayings has Spangler shared with us in the past? Keep reading to find out, and don’t forget to grab a bag of candy hearts for your special someone!

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2026: Sweet Bright Conversation Hearts

• I <3 U
• EMOJI: heart eyes
• KISS ME
• EMOJI: star eyes
• GOAT
• YES PLZ
• EMOJI: winky face
• YAAAS
• TOO COOL
• EMOJI: sunglasses
• ONLY YOU
• LETS HANG
• CUTIE
• COOL
• BAE
• QUEEN

2025: Conversation Hearts Go Global

• BESOS (“kisses” in Spanish)
• MEINE LIEBE (“my love” in German)
• OUI (“yes” in French)
• MI AMORE (“my love” in Spanish)
• AMOR (“love” in Spanish)
• BAO BAO (“baby” or “treasure” in Chinese)
• JE T’AIME (“I love you” in French)
• HYGGE (“hug” in Dutch)
• SUAY (“beautiful” in Thai)
• HOLA (“hello” in Spanish)
• MI VIDA (“my life” in Spanish)
• CIAO (“goodbye” in Italian)

2024: Friendship and appreciation

2023: Pet names

• BABY BEAR
• BEARY CUTE
• BEEZ NEEZ
• BIG DOG
• CHICK ADEE
• COOL CAT
• HONEY BEE
• LUCKY DOG
• MAMA BEAR
• MANE SQEZ
• PAPA BEAR
• PAW SOME
• PUPPY LOVE
• PURR FECT
• SILLY GOOS
• TEDDY BEAR

2022: Words of encouragement

• BE YOU
• BIG FAN
• CHIN UP
• CRUSH IT
• DON’T QUIT
• FEAR LESS
• GO 4 IT
• GOOD JOB
• GO TIME
• HIGH FIVE
• PROUD OF U
• PUSH THRU
• SUPER STAR
• U GOT THIS
• WAY 2 GO
• YOUDA BEST

2021: Love songs

• 1000 YEARS
• 10000 HRS
• ADORE YOU
• ALL MY LIFE
• ALL OF ME
• AT LAST
• BABY LOVE
• CRAZY NLUV
• HAPPY 2GTHR
• IGOTU BABE
• I’LL BE THERE
• I’M YOURS
• LEAN ON ME
• LOVE SHAK
• LUV ME TENDR
• MY GIRL
• ONLY YOU
• PERFECT
• STILL THE 1
• SUGAR SUGAR
• SUMMR LOVIN

2020: Classic throwback

• ♥ OF GOLD
• 3 WISHES
• ALL MINE
• ANGEL
• ASK ME
• CHARM ME
• CLOUD 9
• CRAZY 4 U
• CUP CAKE
• DEAR HEART
• GOTCHA
• HEART THROB
• HOLD HANDS
• HUG ME
• I ♥ U
• ME + YOU
• MY BOO
• ONLY YOU
• PUGS & KITTENS
• PUPPY LOVE
• QT PIE
• SO SWEET
• SWEET TALK
• UR MINE
• UR SWEET
• WIN ME
• YOU FLIRT

Here’s a bit of Valentine’s Day trivia: When Necco went out of business, it took some history with it. The candy heart sayings released each year from 2010 to 2019 are lost to time, but you can enjoy the following oldies, beginning with some romantic restaurant–inspired phrases.

2009: A menu of love

• HONEY BUN
• MY TREAT
• RECIPE 4 LOVE
• SPICE IT UP
• STIR MY HEART
• SUGAR PIE
• SWEET LOVE
• TABLE 4 TWO
• TOP CHEF
• YUM YUM

2008: Love’s in the forecast

• CHILL OUT
• CLOUD NINE
• DO GOOD
• GET MY DRIFT
• HEAT WAVE
• IN A FOG
• MELT MY ♥
• NATURE LOVER
• SUN SHINE
• WILD LIFE

2007: Animal attraction

• BEAR HUG
• COOL CAT
• GO FISH
• LOVE BIRD
• MY PET
• PUPPY LOVE
• PURR FECT
• TAKE A WALK
• TOP DOG
• URA TIGER

2006: Home and family

• CALL HOME
• GO HOME
• HOME RUN
• HOME SICK
• HOME SOON
• HOUSE PARTY
• SWEET HOME

2005: The game of love

• #1 FAN
• ALL-STAR
• BE A SPORT
• BE MY HERO
• CHEER ME ON
• DREAM TEAM
• FIT FOR LOVE
• HEART OF GOLD
• LOVE LIFE
• LOVE MY TEAM

2004: Happily ever after

• 3 WISHES
• CHARM ME
• DREAM
• EVER AFTER
• I LOVE YOU
• IM ME
• NEW YOU
• MAGIC
• NEW LOVE
• START NOW

2003: Love lessons

• BOOK CLUB
• CLASS ACT
• LET’S READ
• LOVE LETTER
• PEN PAL
• SCHOOL MATE
• TEACH ME
• WHIZ KID
• WISE UP
• WRITE ME

2002: Fashion forward

• DIVA
• DRESS UP
• IN STYLE
• LOOK GOOD
• THAT SMILE
• TRES CHIC
• TWO HEARTS
• URA QT
• VOGUE
• WHAT’S UP

2001: Limitless love

• LOVE 2001
• MOON BEAM
• ODYSSEY
• RISING STAR
• STAR DUST
• TOO SWEET
• UR A STAR
• VENUS
• YOU & ME

2000: Celebrating the millennium

• 2000 HUGS
• 2000 KISSES
• AMORE
• ANGEL
• GIRL POWER
• GOT LOVE
• IN THE MOOD
• MUCH ADO
• PEACE SIGN
• ROMEO
• SWING TIME
• TIME OUT

1999: Now and then

• 1-800 CUPID
• AS IF
• I GOT U BABE
• I WONDER
• LET IT BE
• LET’S DO LUNCH
• LOVE ME TENDER
• MY WAY
• WALK ON BY
• YOU ROCK

For more classic conversation heart sayings that ran between 1902 and 2022, browse the lists below. You’ll find silly phrases to send to your pals on Galentine’s Day and bite-sized sayings that are a bit more casual than an intimate love quote.

Core candy heart sayings

• BE MINE
• BESTIE
• CRUSH ON U
• CUTIE PIE
• DATE NIGHT
• FLIRT
• GIGGLE
• HONEY PIE
• I DO
• I LUV YOU
• KISS ME
• LOVE BIRDS
• LOVE BUG
• MARRY ME
• MY HERO
• OOO LA LA
• PICK ME
• SOUL MATE
• SWEET PEA
• TRUE LOVE
• UR CUTE
• UR KIND
• WINK WINK
• XOXO
• YOU + ME

Candy heart sayings from the past 120 years

• BOOGIE
• COOL DUDE
• DREAM BIG
• GOOD TIMES
• HOLLA
• HOT CHA
• HOT DAWG
• LET’S RIDE
• LOVER BOY
• MY, SUCH EYES
• OH YOU KID
• ON FLEEK
• PLAY TIME
• SAUCY BOY
• TELL ME HOW
• UR HOT

Our favorite candy heart sayings of the past 120 years

• 1 4 3
• FIRST KISS
• HEY YOU
• HOT STUFF
• JUST DANCE
• JE T’AIME
• JUST ONE
• LAUGH
• LET’S KISS
• NEW LOVE
• YOU SHINE

Candy heart sayings for best friends

• BFF
• CHICKS RULE
• DRAMA QUEEN
• FRIEND ME
• GO GIRL
• IT GIRL
• MY GIRLZ
• MY PAL
• MY TEAM
• U GO GIRL

Candy heart sayings for tech lovers

• CALL ME
• EMAIL ME
• FAX ME
• PAGE ME
• TEXT ME
• TWEET
• TWEET ME
• TXT ME
• WEB SITE

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Sources:

• PR Newswire: “Brach’s® Debuts the Next Generation of Conversation Hearts Featuring a Delicious New Taste and Texture”
• Necco: “History”
• Spangler Candy Company: “Sweethearts takes ‘Situationships’ to the next level”
• The New York Times: “The Sweet and Surprising History of Candy Hearts”
• PR Newswire: “Enjoy Phrases of Love from Around the World with Brach’s New Conversation Hearts Go Global”
• Ashley Worrall, brand manager of Spangler Candy Co.

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