Venus in Aries will likely show affection through physical actions like play fighting or punching. While ..
Venus in Virgo might show affection through sweet words, love letters etc.
How do you show affection?
What planetary aspects, houses or patterns to/with Venus influence how you show affection?
Where is your Venus?
I have a retrograde Venus in Aquarius. I have no idea how I show affection or how Aquarius shows affection.
My Venus is tightly conjunct my Moon and I have it in the 3rd house (Capricorn rules mine). It also sextiles my 2nd house Mars in Sagittarius, is inconjunct my 8th house Jupiter in Cancer (retrograde), and squares my Scorpio ASC.
I'm not a physical person. I don't show it physically. It's awkward for me.
I ask if people are okay, let them know if they need to talk to someone, I am there for them. I make people things like scarves and blankets. I make sure they have food.
That type of stuff.
@purplestargirl sounds to me like you show affection by communicating (3rd) that you care (Moon) for their welfare (Aquarius).
@osiris-wife I also show that I care about someone by doing nice things for them and I also try to give them practical advice, like a friend would. If I really like someone, I talk their ear off. That's Venus in Aquarius in the 3rd house.
I have Venus (r) in Aries in my 3rd house. I show affection with friendly teasing, calling people by pet names and being physically affectionate but never through play fighting or being rough.
@occhineri
This is very much up Venus in Aries' stream .. teasing which is a form of playful provocation (Aries) with words (3rd H) can illicit a response even a physical (Aries) response.
I have Venus in Virgo. My husband has plenty of very healthy home-cooked, home-grown food. Friends and loved ones alike know they can come to me for advice regarding their various ailments. Over the years I've acquired an almost encyclopedic knowledge of health problems and can often share the best of the tried-and-tested remedies to cure or alleviate them. I give my special peeps books - my way of saying 'I love you'. I'm very tactile for a Virgo, just a light touch or a hug. I send all my loved ones good 'vibes' every night - Venus in the 12th.
@eleanor-d, I'm going to want to pick your brain, extensibly. Please, please share your thoughts when I make a topic?
Hi Poppy,
I'm flattered...but... I'm not sure my brains offer much to pick. I know quite a bit about just one or two subjects, but nothing at all about most things. 
I just realized something. I buy all my loved ones expensive things that they would not buy themselves, thinking they are frivolous! Venus in Capricorn in 5th! ??♀️ Does that mean that I need loved ones to buy me things in return? Nobody ever does!!
Venus in Cap - showing affection via material things! In the 5th House (Leo) showy, expensive gifts!
@vesta, Now you have a useful clue. When you meet your future partner, you'll start to recognize his suitability as potential partner when he gives you gifts that show he notices what you'll appreciate. 
@poppy Actually, its the other way around. I have been the 'provider' in all my relationships and have extreme self respect in terms of interactions with men. I was more militant when young, for example, I never took a lift from any man...distant acquaintance or close friend, and made sure to have more own set of wheels, never let anyone pay for my meal or drinks etc.
Even though my husband came from extremely (and I mean extraordinarily extremely) wealthy family, I did not expect and certainly did not receive lavish materialistic things. Heck, I paid our rent by myself for the first year in my current country. My husband deeply appreciated this and respected me for it. In the upcoming divorce, I am not taking a cent that I have not earned from my own work. I don't think anyone can 'buy' my affections. Why I do it for my loved ones, is a mystery. I guess I want them to enjoy the luxurious side of life, that they themselves will never get around to buying.
@vesta, Yet, you're divorcing. You kept "pure," financially, and it didn't vaccinate your relationship. ::sorry face::
I only wanted to say, when with someone who merits trust, letting yourself be accepting of what's offered, builds the bond between you.
Seems to me, your soon to be ex-husband never was that guy worthy of true, real, deep trust.
I would think Venus in Capricorn shows affection by helping out those they care about. One of my good friends has it and he helps those that he deeply cares about a lot, like picking them up at a train station or even buying them beers or helping them move. I don't think he buys anyone expensive gifts.
I do think Venus in Capricorn appreciates gifts that are useful and practical, not expensive. I made him a blanket and a scarf, which I think he really liked because he doesn't do well with cold weather and they can help keep him warm.
@purplestargirl I think house placement matters. There is no one universal Venus in Capricorn signature, beyond being steadfast in affections and intense, serious loyalty. Mine is in 5th. I have always been lavish with loved ones. Plus, my Venus is natally conjunct Jupiter, and loosely conjunct Neptune. I love and appreciate luxury and associated good quality more than usual. I just like to pay for my own, and buy it for my loved ones.
In case of your friend, it sounds like he has aquarius signature in his chart. Besides Venus doesn't always manifest among friends, but closer relationships. Family of birth or significant others. I don't buy friends any gifts.
@vesta It matters more than sign placement from what I've learned. My friend has an 11th house Venus placement, which would be similar to Venus in Aquarius. Uranus also trines his ASC and sextiles all personal planets except for Mars and he has Moon in Aquarius.
@vesta I do have a question about Venus in Capricorn. You said they were steadfast in affections and are very loyal. How would that look like? I don't have Venus in Capricorn so I wouldn't understand that manifestation of Capricorn. I only understand the intense loyalty aspect due to my Capricorn Sun.
@purplestargirl Staying on loved ones' side through thick and thin. In a romantic relationship, they prefer marriage to living together. Traditions are important for Venus in Capricorn, even when its not the most optimal situation for them personally. They will be the kind of people who are more likely to ride out bad phases in a relationship and will not break up for trivial things or minor disagreements. I would be surprised if a Venus in Cap ever ends up cheating on their committed partner. In a family of birth setup, they will be respectful of support both their and their partner's parents.
Remember, Venus is also money. Notwithstanding other aspects (like my spendthrift Venus-Jupiter conjunction in 5th), they are careful with money. They will not invest in a llama farm which promises 2000% return on investment. Their money would be tied up in real estate or neat little debt bonds in a reputed bank or pension fund.
My husband's Cancer Venus provides me with financial and emotional security. It's too easy sometimes to take him for granted. I mentioned paying for something recently, and he got insulted and found an overabundance of this particular item for free online, went and got it, and made it a point to showcase it to me. "See??? Stop trying to spend money!" ? He expects me to rely on him in this way and I don't begrudge it. Combines well with his Scorpio Mars.
My Gemini Venus is superficial and ridiculous and makes him laugh. But I also bug him because sometimes I don't take things seriously enough, and when I get fixated on a topic, even if he isn't interested in it, I insist on talking his ear off, calling it "bonding." "I need you to know what's in my mind!!" ? Combines well with my Libra Mars.
"It's too easy sometimes to take him for granted".
I think we are all guilty of this. This was one of the reasons I started this topic, as a reminder to myself to take note of all my close peeps and how affection is shown in unique ways.
@dolce Haha! I know another with your Venus Mars combo, and what a lovely conversation is to be had every single time! But boy, can they talk! Does your Libra Mars sulk too?
@vesta Generally no haha. If conversation is flowing and fun and making for a pleasant time, I'm always happy. I have some Pluto influence that will cause me to sulk though ?