well I guess you could say to the one you love " I adore you" to show affection but when you say this its more to show admiration or honor like you said. Its cute when the one you love buys you a gift so you want to show affection , and thats when you can say " I adore you " . Its mostly used in a more friendly manner. To say I love you , is definitely the number one thing you can say to the one you love because it directly shows that you love that person. = )