It will soon be Father’s Day on Sunday 16 June, bringing the opportunity to celebrate the father or paternal figure in our lives. There is evidence that fathers have been honoured with a special day since Mediaeval times, although it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the occasion achieved official recognition to bring it in parity with Mother’s Day. 

The modern version of Father’s Day is thought to have originated in the United States during the early 20th century, when a woman named Grace Clayton sought a way to honour 250 fathers killed in the 1907 Monongah Mining Disaster in West Virginia. 

A couple of years later, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodds of Spokane, Washington, took up the cue and organised an event to celebrate her own father, who had raised six children alone and was a veteran of the Civil War. 

Although these events were well-received, it took until 1966 for the day to be recognised by President Lyndon B Johnson of the US. It was finally signed into Law by President Richard Nixon in 1972, and the celebration gradually made its way across the Atlantic to be officially recognized in the UK. 

In Britain and the US, Father’s Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday of June, but in some European countries such as Spain and Portugal, it is celebrated on March 19 to coincide with St Joseph’s Day, husband to Mary and legal father figure of Jesus Christ. In Australia and New Zealand, it is celebrated on the first Sunday in September.

How is Father’s Day celebrated?

Father’s Day carries a different significance for each family, whether it’s to honour a hero dad, or a special step-dad, granddad, or father-in-law. The celebrations might involve a card or gift, a meal or a memorable trip out to a place of interest. However, it can often be difficult to come up with a really unique and heartfelt gift for the men in your family. 

Of course, there are a multitude of mass-produced items available from mugs to aftershave, but the best way to mark these occasions is often with a hand crafted gift that carries a truly special meaning. The Welsh love spoon is an ideal way to offer a thoughtful and customised present that is sure to be different from anything that your dad has already got!

Welsh love spoons are hand carved with years of skill and experience from the highest quality walnut, sycamore, or limewood, and make a memorable gift for a loved one that will earn pride of place in any home. 

The decorative spoons have been traditionally given as a gesture of love and affection in Wales since the 16th century and are now widely used to celebrate a variety of special occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries, and to express our love and appreciation for the people who matter in our lives. 

The superior quality of the craftsmanship is reflected in the intricately designed handles of the spoons, which can be chosen to reflect the individual relationship of the giver and recipient, such as anchors for stability, hearts for love, dragons for strength, angels for protection, and so on.