Welsh Love Spoons
Many societies have had a custom of gift giving as a form of marriage proposal. An interesting example of this is the Welsh Love Spoon.
What Is A Love Spoon?
A love spoon is a wooden spoon carved by a man and given to a woman as a token of affection and/or a proposal of marriage. Althouh they're found in several countries they're particularly associated with Wales.
There's no set pattern for a love spoon, it could be as simple or as complex as the maker wished. However the design would often include romantic elements
such as hearts or perhaps symbols that had a particular meaning to the couple. Sometimes they would be carved as a pair, one for him to keep and the other
to give to her.
As well as being romantic the lovespoon tradition also served a practical purpose in that it demonstrated to the woman's family that her suitor was a capable craftsman who would be able to earn a living.
Today you can still buy lovespoons. Antique spoons are rare - being wooden and delicate, few survived the centuries. However there are craftsmen in Wales and elsewhere producing modern love spoon. These make an interesting romantic gift idea, just make sure everyone involved knows whether or not the gift is actually a proposal of marriage!