Book A Romantic Dinner For This Valentine’s Day Alternative This Weekend

Tired of the over-commercialised affair Valentine’s Day has morphed into? We know the feeling – and we also know a hack. Skip the queues, secure the table reservation and enjoy a less-crowded romantic evening on St Dwynwen’s Day, the Welsh Valentine’s Day alternative you need to know about. Here’s the rundown.

What Is St Dwynwen’s Day?

St Valentine may be the patron saint of lovers worldwide – but he isn’t in Wales. Instead, St Dwynwen is the patron saint of lovers (and, coincidentally, sick animals), a fifth-century Welsh princess who lived in what is now the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). One of a whopping 24 daughters, and considered the prettiest of the bunch, Dwynwen’s father was King Brychan Brycheiniog, and he promised her hand to a prince. But Dwynwen was already in love with another: a local boy called Maelon Dafodrill. Both took the news badly, with Dwynwen fleeing to the woods to weep and begging God for help. Her prayers were answered by an angel who gave her a sweet potion to help her forget all about Maelon (which coincidentally turned him into a block of ice).

God then offered Dwynwen three wishes. She requested the following: Maelon be thawed, for God to help all true lovers, and that she herself would never marry. God granted her wishes, and in thanks she became a nun. Heading north, she set up a convent near the southern tip of Anglesey where she studied the healing properties of local herbs and cured the many illnesses of people seeking her care.

When Is It?

St Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated every year on 25 January, and is considered the Welsh equivalent to Valentine’s Day. Those seeking V-Day alternatives can really make the most of St Dwynwen’s Day this year, as it will take place on a Saturday.

Gift Ideas

The traditional St Dwynwen’s Day gift is a love spoon, a decorative wooden spoon carved and gifted to illustrate romantic intent in a tradition dating as far back as seventeenth century Wales. The theory behind the spoon is that, in crafting it, a suitor would be able to prove to a young woman’s father that he was capable with woodworking – and therefore could provide for their future family. Today, you’re probably better off buying one; plenty of handmade examples can be found online.

If you’re looking for something a little more in line with the Valentine’s Day you know (and love to hate), think about intimate trinkets like rings, gloves and purses – and flowers never go amiss. To really channel the Welsh spirit, skip the roses in favour of daffodils, snowdrops or a spring posey.

In our opinion, the best gift of all is quality time: surprise your loved one with a St Dwynwen’s Day date night featuring dinner and a film, spend the day on a walk and enjoy a pub lunch, or showcase your prowess in the kitchen by whipping up one of our favourite recipes.