The holidays are a joyous time, but they can also be very stressful! Trying to find that perfect gift and spending time searching for unique ways to honor your family and friends is never easy when you have a million other “holiday to-dos” on your list.
At My Olive Tree, we’ve compiled a list of distinct gifts. From the creative foodie in your family to the environmentally aware friend, there is a gift for everyone. What’s more, when you purchase a gift from My Olive Tree, it doesn’t stop when it is opened by your loved one… it actually benefits lives across the world for years.
During this holiday season, don’t you want to give a gift that lasts beyond January 1—both in sentiment and practicality?
Let’s find out how you can truly sow goodness, kindness, and gratefulness into lives close to home and far away this year.
For the foodie
When searching for the perfect gift for a foodie, you are bound to second-guess every decision you make. You know they are food adventure seekers who are interested in all aspects of the food experience. Their sophisticated palate could leave you perplexed as to choosing between a gift they will like and a gift they will love.
They rave about the unique blend of this and the culinary art of that… but unless you are a foodie yourself, it all can fly right over your head.
Food lovers everywhere enjoy obscure cooking methods, niche sautéing techniques, distinct flavors—but what most people miss when gifting to a foodie is the story behind what you buy.
What makes a real impression on a fare-passionate individual is giving what you might call a kitchen gadget—a beautiful instrument that can be used in the kitchen to create a delicious piece of art. Accompany that with a story behind it, and you’ve just helped them create a masterpiece and earned yourself an enthusiastic thank-you.
Olive oil—Considered one of the healthiest oils, olive oil has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and obesity while adding a distinct and robust flavor to any meal. But have you ever purchased extra-virgin olive oil that tastes just like canola oil?
This happens for a variety of reasons. Many olive oil companies simply add a bit of olive oil to canola or sunflower oils and charge full price for what consumers believe to be pure olive oil.
>>>Click here to find out more about fake olive oil scams!<<<
One reason the taste isn’t up to par is that it isn’t cold-pressed the same day and/or is kept in a clear container, and it is exposed to light, which turns it rancid more quickly.
The story—The extra-virgin olive oil produced by My Olive Tree is harvested in Israel near the Sea of Galilee. Its first cold-press is performed on the original day of harvest.
The olives used to make the oil are from My Olive Tree groves. We gift these trees, through sponsorships, to those in Israel such as farmers, whose livelihood depends on the crops and the harvest. These trees are planted, watered, and cared for by the farmers. Then they receive 100% of the income from the harvested olives.
Not only that, the decorative tin that holds the oil isn’t just for looks—although it does go nicely in any kitchen. The tin actually prevents light and oxygen from reaching the oil, which keeps it flavorful and prevents it from going rancid too quickly.
Add to that a handcrafted, individually made olive wood salad serving set, and your gift is complete.
For the environmentalist
You’ve heard of adopting a whale or naming a star after a loved one. While there is nothing inherently wrong with these gifts, for the environmentalist who really wants to “grow it forward,” these offerings have their limitations.
For an environmentalist, it’s just as much about preservation as it is about restoration. Using available resources efficiently and wasting nothing is what moves mountains for the nature enthusiast. Restoring what was once thought to be lost is even better.
They want to know that what they are sowing into has a return for the life-harboring Earth they love. Consider this—water is the secret key to the nature lover’s heart. Water represents life, growth, rejuvenation, and restoration. Without water, life is not possible. The nature lover understands the importance of this vital resource.
Adopting a tree always perks up their ears, but if you really want their attention, adopting a tree that makes a statement, helps conserve water for a nation, and produces a harvest for generations is the way to go.
>>>Click here to read more about how trees help the environment!<<<
Olive trees— The olive tree not only has a rich history and symbolism but also is one of the most environmentally friendly trees on Earth. What does that mean? It means that olive trees thrive and survive in a desert land and shallow soil with little water.
Olive trees are considered drought tolerant and survive, on average, 500 years in these conditions. This is why the unique tree does so well and produces a harvest year after year in the dry Negev Desert in the Promised Land.
The story—The olive trees adopted and sponsored by My Olive Tree supporters are not planted in random places in Israel. Instead, they are strategically placed along borders and various locations from the northern Negev to the southern end of Israel, which aids in the restoration of the land and makes a statement of peace in the Middle East.
We plant in the Kidron Valley, where ancient kings and Jesus Himself walked countless times. This valley holds as much significance today as it did thousands of years ago. It’s nestled in between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives—the location of some of the most precious and pricey real estate available today.
You can read more about the rich history of the Kidron Valley, or King’s Valley, by downloading our FREE guide!
Other locations that hold groves are family farms in Israel, specifically along the Gaza Strip. One family, in particular, has lived and grown crops in the area for more than 40 years. They have recently been boycotted against and have asked My Olive Tree to help them regenerate their ground and their lives by planting olive trees on their moshav (communal family farm).
When you gift a tree in honor of your loved one this holiday season, share with them the amazing story that goes beyond their name (and yours) listed on our Wall of Honor.
Give the gift of a lasting legacy and a dream. If you want to know more about our projects, click here!
Still need some gift ideas for the politically savvy, spiritually-minded, or dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy on the world? Click here for more unique gift ideas that carry life-changing stories with them.