Spooning: A Welsh love tradition

Conor Knighton visits Llanddwyn Island off the coast of Wales, where if you want to woo someone, you don't give your sweetheart chocolates, flowers or jewelry; you give them a "lovespoon."
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[@525Lines]

Welsh husbands don't give a fork.

[@arbyjuhl7130]

525Lines That is funny as FORK!

[@justvin7214]

They didn't mention that the reason for the complex, intricate carving was to show the girl's parents that the young man had kept his hands busy during the courting. The legend here in Wales is that old men made a tidy profit from carving and selling very ornate spoons to lads who wished to leave their hands free for more enjoyable pastimes whilst still giving girl's fathers the impression of their virtue.

[@DavidThomas-je7vg]

No evidence to support such a claim I'm afraid. Just like much of the Welsh lovespoon tradition it's open to interpretation. The many nautical symbols on early lovespoons suggest a link with sailors, who would have been at sea for many days and hence would have had time to develop intricate designs. It is likely that the tradition originated from the decorating of practical cooking utensils and is probably linked to the Cawl spoon but with so little evidence written about the tradition it is impossible to make any claims with certainty. It's a lovely tradition though and the idea you put forward adds a fun interpretation.

[@susanp.collins7834]

Best video I've seen on love spoons so far.

[@jebbie2595]

*I've GOT to have one of those Love Spoons¡!¡* ❣️

[@JoieGirl]

I ❤️ this story!

[@Lilleybugglane]

Lovely! There is an article in the current issue of Mary Jane's Farm Magazine about love spoons... I was glad to see this clip! :o)

[@Iamaflyladybug]

Wonderful!

[@---df5sr]

Irish music to start but I’ll let that one go

[@susanp.collins7834]

I WONDERED! (That's a bit like getting Ireland and Scotland mixed up...)

[@ogmoustachemalefacialcompa3907]

Well, courtship doesn't matter anymore....nor does marriage .
At least a wooden spoon doesn't cost £10-20,000