Victorian Valentine.

Hideaway Cottage, built in 1850 is a Victorian Cottage and a large number of Victorians would declare their affection with a hand made token called a puzzle purse, similar in design to the origami fortune teller you may have made in school. The puzzle purse was made from a single sheet of paper that was decorated and folded to conceal a secret romantic message.

While the majority of messages sent for Valentines day were ones of romance, the Victorians believed that it was a day to get all of the feelings that you held for someone out in the open - even if they weren't exactly kind.

Vinegar Valentines were a popular tradition that allowed the Victorians to really let someone know what they thought of them. Often decorated with an unflattering Caricature and a cheeky poem.

Vinegar Valentines could call out the recipient for every thing from drunken behaviour to being tight with money or notorious flirts. A tongue in cheek form of Character assassination.