Tag: Gifts

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St. Dwynwen’s Day: A Welsh Celebration of Love and Romance

As a proud Welsh brand we think you would be hard-pressed to find a holiday more charming than St. Dwynwen’s Day. As the Welsh equivalent to Valentine’s Day, St. Dwynwen’s is all about spreading heartfelt gestures and lovers’ well-wishes.

St. Dwynwen’s Day is a unique and cherished celebration of love and romance. This special day, observed on January 25th each year, holds a rich history and plays a significant role in the cultural tapestry of Wales.

Who is St. Dwynwen’s

St. Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers in Welsh tradition, lived during the 5th century. The daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog, Dwynwen fell deeply in love with a young man named Maelon. However, her father had already arranged her marriage to another nobleman. Heartbroken, Dwynwen prayed to be released from her love for Maelon.

Legend has it that an angel appeared to Dwynwen and granted her three wishes.

  1. Her first wish was for Maelon to be freed from his love for her.
  2. The second wish was for God to meet the desires of true lovers.
  3. For her third wish, Dwynwen asked to never marry, instead dedicating her life to God.

In gratitude, she founded a convent on Llanddwyn Island off the coast of Anglesey, where she spent the remainder of her days.

Why is this saint of lovers so important to the people of Wales?

St. Dwynwen’s Day is not just a Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day; it’s a celebration that holds deep cultural significance. As a figure of love and devotion, St. Dwynwen is revered by the Welsh people, and her day provides an opportunity to honour and celebrate the romantic bonds that exist between couples.

Join in the celebrations

On St. Dwynwen’s Day, it is customary for couples to exchange cards and gifts, much like Valentine’s Day. However, the Welsh also have their unique traditions. One such tradition is to visit Llanddwyn Island, where the ruins of Dwynwen’s church can still be found. Couples make pilgrimages to the island to seek the saint’s blessing for their relationships.

Welsh Love Spoons, intricately carved wooden spoons, are another traditional gift exchanged on this day. Each symbol on the spoon carries a specific meaning, representing wishes for the couple’s future together.

St. Dwynwen’s Day is more than just a celebration of romantic love; it is a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Wales. The story of St. Dwynwen serves as a reminder of the enduring power of love, resilience in the face of heartbreak, and the importance of dedicating oneself to the greater good.

This celebration is not just honour a beloved saint but also reinforce the values of love, compassion, and commitment that have been woven into the fabric of Welsh culture through the centuries.

This maybe a Welsh holiday but it offers romantics a reason to give special attention and gifts to spouses and partners. Not only that it is a reminder that Valentines days is just around the corner!

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The Origins and Significance of Black Friday

This frenzied shopping day that marks the beginning of the holiday season, is a phenomenon that has transcended its origins to become a global consumer extravaganza.

Each year as retailers we all jump two feet into Black Friday events, but where does it come from?

The Origins of Black Friday

Black Friday’s roots can be traced back to the mid-20th century. The term was initially coined in the 1960s in Philadelphia to describe the chaotic post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy. It wasn’t associated with bargains or deals; instead, it referred to the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic that clogged the city streets as shoppers and tourists swarmed the area. The term “Black Friday” was not initially seen as positive but rather as a description of the congestion and disorder that accompanied the day.

The Shift from Chaos to Consumerism

Black Friday evolved over the years, transforming from a day of urban pandemonium into a day of consumer opportunity. Retailers recognised the potential to capitalise on the massive crowds, and they began offering special discounts and sales to lure shoppers into their stores. These deals often started early in the morning, and people lined up outside stores well before dawn to snag the best deals. By the late 20th century, Black Friday had become synonymous with extraordinary shopping deals.

The Black Friday Phenomenon

Today, Black Friday has become a worldwide shopping event, extending far beyond its Philadelphia origins. Retailers and consumers alike anticipate this day with excitement. It serves as the kickstart for the holiday shopping season and an opportunity for retailers to generate significant revenue.

Retailers continue to mark Black Friday on their calendars for several reasons:

  1. Boosting Sales: Black Friday typically offers substantial discounts and limited-time promotions, which draw in large crowds of eager shoppers. This influx of customers leads to significant sales volumes.
  2. Clearing Inventory: Retailers use Black Friday as an opportunity to clear out older inventory to make room for newer products, ensuring that their stores remain up-to-date and appealing to customers.
  3. Creating Hype: Black Friday generates excitement and anticipation among consumers. The limited-time nature of the deals and the competitive atmosphere create a sense of urgency, encouraging people to shop.
  4. Tradition: Black Friday has become ingrained in our culture as a holiday shopping tradition. People eagerly await the sales and view it as an essential part of the holiday season.
  5. Online and In-Store Sales: With the advent of online shopping, retailers have extended Black Friday to the digital realm, making it easier for customers to participate, even if they don’t want to brave the crowds in physical stores.

What does Black Friday mean for Welsh Witch

Yes, we want generate interest and excitement in our handcrafted spirits, however we will never use this as a way push a limited range of Welsh Witch products.

We want to use this as an opportunity to offer customers the opportunity to save money and get ready for Christmas.

This year from now until 1 December, helping to spread the magic of Welsh Witch.

Black Friday’s history is one of transformation, evolving from a term describing chaos to a worldwide shopping phenomenon. While the origins of the name might be linked to chaos, the modern Black Friday is now a celebration of consumerism and an integral part of the holiday season for people around the world.

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Does Alcohol Make a Good Gift?

Today we’re going to be talking about all things alcohol and whether or not it makes a good gift in the run up to the festive season. Here at Welsh Witch Craft Spirits, we’re all about the magical experience which unfolds within the bottles of our handcrafted drinks. Each sip is a journey through Celtic pagan folklore and Welsh-inspired botanicals to tickle those tastebuds.

The short answer, to ‘does alcohol make a good gift?’, is YES! But of course, it is a lot more nuanced than that. We’re going to be unpicking the best way to gift alcohol and some alternatives to spirits as well.

Understand the gift recipient

This is probably the key takeaway from this discussion. Of course, alcohol is a great gift for many, but understanding the recipient is the best way to make a decision whether or not alcohol is a good gifting choice. Does the gift recipient like alcohol, is the first question to ask. Is it something they would enjoy, whether with friends or of an evening with a meal? If yes, this is a good start.

It then becomes a matter of ‘what alcohol do they like?’ and you can branch into one of our delicious hand-crafted gins, rums, or vodka too if that’s more their taste. If you’re not sure, an Original Dry Gin is a good choice – a crowd-pleasing staple that most alcohol enthusiasts can appreciate. We also have a selection of gift boxes which include a full size spirit and a branded Welsh Witch glass for that extra luxe experience.

Choose your potion

Our Wheel of the Year range contains a delicious range of gins, vodka, and rums. There is sure to be something for everyone! Of course everybody’s tastes are different, but if you know the person you’re gifting, there are some simple ways to pick the perfect potion for them. Try and pick up on the gift recipient’s drinking habits before purchasing a gift:

  • What do they normally drink?
  • Do they prefer sweet or dry spirits?
  • Are they a flavoured spirit person or do they prefer a classic simple spirit?

Answering these questions will help you figure out the perfect Welsh Witch potion for them.

If they are into rum, our sweet and spiced classic (and award-winning!) Spiced Rum is a great choice. This smooth rum is a great evening tipple and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. With a whisper of whiskey too, this rum is a perfect gift for someone who enjoys their spirits neat, as it’s best enjoyed neat over ice and left to rest. Our brand new Mabon Roasted Apple Rum is a delicious flavoured alternative to the classic spiced rum. Enjoy the autumnal delights of warm apple pie in a smooth delectable tipple, perfect for those with a sweeter tooth.

If your gift-receiver is a big gin fan, well – you’ve come to the right place! Our selection of high quality gins is ripe for the picking. Brewed with love in North Wales, our gins vary from sweet and fruity, to floral and delicate, to classic and refreshing. Our Beltane Gin is a fiery yet floral blend of cinnamon and reiki infused rosewater, finished with a citrusy burst. The Imbolc Gin is a delectable blend of blackberries within a juniper-led base; bursting with flavour and perfect for a fruity gin enthusiast. For a floral gin lover, our Litha Gin is elderflower based and our Ostara Gin is violet based. Last but by no means least, our Original Dry Gin is perfect for just about anyone! Refreshing and sophisticated, this award-winning tipple was our first Welsh Witch spirit, rich with history and Welsh-inspired botanicals.

Finally, our Welsh Witch Lammas Vodka is our final pick, perfect for the vodka lovers out there. Smooth and unassuming, this simple yet classy spirit is perfect for those cocktail makers out there. Infused with Welsh water and bundles of the Welsh Witch magic touch, this is a perfect stocking filler for just about anyone.

If you’re not sure, just ask!

Of course, this might ruin the element of surprise, but sometimes asking is better than gifting alcohol if it’s not desired. For example, someone could be taking time away from drinking alcohol, recovering from a substance addiction, or avoiding alcohol due to a medication, for example. If you’re not sure, asking the recipient (or a closed loved one of theirs) if they would enjoy an alcoholic gift is probably a safe bet, as you don’t want to end up sending the wrong message and making a gift faux-pas.

Our witch’s store cupboard also contains gift items which aren’t alcohol. We have cocktail inspired candles which may be a good option, as well as Welsh Witch branded glasses, which can be used for any drink, alcoholic or not.

Get gifting ready with our Welsh Witch Craft Spirits

Whether your gift recipient is a tipple enthusiast or an occasional special-occasion drinker, our spirits will be sure to bring delight and magic. Filled to the brim with luxurious botanicals and Welsh folklore, it’ll sure be a great talking point! Not to mention, our hand-corked, waxed and bottled spirits look absolutely divine on any drinks shelf. Labelled with our mythical and magical branding, our eye-catching designs are sure to spark joy with anybody interested in magic or folklore too.

You can shop our full range of botanical delights here.

Wishing you a magnificent festive season from everybody here at Welsh Witch HQ x