It’s that time of year when we are drawing up our Christmas shopping lists, and wondering what gifts to buy for the special people in our lives. For some, this can be quite the challenge, even if we know the person very well. How can you find the perfect present, which is from the heart, and doesn’t feel like a token gesture?

One solution is to pick a hand-crafted item which is made with traditional techniques, rather than a mass-produced factory product which is no doubt one of many thousands. One of the best materials for this type of gift is wood, because there are so many high-quality items to choose from, both practical and decorative, such as Welsh love spoons.

Love spoons are a traditional symbol of love, affection, and loyalty, which were given to a lady by a hopeful suitor. Examples of wooden spoons carved over 300 years ago have been found across Europe, from the Eastern countries to Scandinavia. Today, modern versions are produced from the beautiful woods of limewood, walnut, and sycamore trees.

The art of the love spoon was a particularly strong tradition in Wales, where it was said that the quality of the craftsmanship on display was the crucial deciding factor for the prospective father-in-law: if he deemed the fellow’s handiwork to be of a good enough standard, he consented to the marriage!

There is some logic to this, because in the days of old-fashioned courtship when gender relations were strictly defined, it was important that a man could provide well for his wife and children, and skilled woodworkers were in demand. It was also of course proof of genuine affection, as the intricate details take a lot of time and patience to master.

The art of carving wood dates back for centuries, with some particularly beautiful examples of limewood carvings of the renaissance era surviving in the Churches of northern Europe. The strong religious associations of wood carving are what makes it the most special of materials for many people—Joseph was a carpenter by trade, of course.

Wood is a highly symbolic material, as it is natural, grown from soil, rain, and sun, and highly durable, lasting for centuries in even the harshest of weather conditions. Wooden gifts are traditionally given for the 5^th wedding anniversary, because it is considered long enough for the marriage to have flourished into a strong and stable union which will bear fruit.

As Christmas approaches, a wooden hand carved item might be the perfect gift you are looking for to express the strength of your affection to a loved one. Love spoons are available with a variety of symbols carved into the handle, which express a particular meaning. A cross, an angel, or a nativity scene might be perfect choices at this time of year.

Other popular symbols include hearts to represent love, anchors to represent loyalty, doves to represent peace, diamonds to represent prosperity, and horseshoes to represent God’s favour.