In short: Olive wood is the wood of the olive tree. It is hard, dense and strongly grained, which is why every piece is one of a kind. In the Bible, the olive tree stands for peace, hope and blessing. According to the product details, our olive wood items come from Bethlehem. Caring for them is simple: wipe them dry, never soak them, and now and then refresh them sparingly with oil.
Anyone who holds an olive wood cross, pendant or comfort stone in their hand feels the warmth of the material straight away. Many people ask: where does the wood come from? What makes it special? And how do I keep it looking good? This article gives the answers. We have already written about the story of the olive wood cross itself: Olive Wood Cross from Bethlehem: Meaning, Styles and How to Choose. Here, the subject is the material.
What is olive wood?
Olive wood comes from the olive tree (Olea europaea), which has been cultivated around the Mediterranean for thousands of years. The tree grows slowly, lives to a great age and bears fruit for many years. Its wood is dense, finely grained and warm in colour, from pale to honey brown with dark veins. Because the trunks often grow crooked and gnarled, the wood is rarely suitable for large boards. It is, however, well suited to small items such as crosses, pendants, spoons and bowls.
Where does our olive wood come from?
According to our product details, the olive wood items come from Bethlehem in the Holy Land and are made there in small workshops. Many descriptions name regularly pruned groves as the source, that is, wood that arises when the trees are tended. According to these details, no trees are felled for it. You can find all the pieces in our Olive Wood from Bethlehem collection. Where an item is marked “handmade”, this is expressly noted in the product data.
Why Bethlehem? It is the birthplace of Jesus. A cross made of wood from there joins the sign of faith to the setting of the Christmas story. For many people, that is what makes it special.
What does the olive tree mean in the faith?
- Peace: After the Flood, the dove returned to Noah with an olive branch (Genesis 8:11). Since then the branch has been a sign of peace and a new beginning.
- Oil: Olive oil is used to anoint kings, priests and the sick, and it burns in the lamp. It stands for the Holy Spirit and for blessing.
- The Mount of Olives: Before his arrest, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The name “Gethsemane” means “oil press”.
- Endurance: Olive trees live for hundreds of years. The wood recalls what endures.
How to recognise good olive wood
There is no proof you can hold in your hand, but a few features point to genuine olive wood:
- Grain: Every piece has its own irregular lines. Even, repeating patterns suggest printing or imitation.
- Weight and density: Olive wood feels heavier and denser than pine or poplar.
- Surface: Oiled pieces look rich and silky, not varnished or plastic-like.
- Colour: There are differences from piece to piece. That is a good sign, because natural wood is never identical.
Differences in colour and grain are not a flaw but a feature of the material. This applies to our product photos too: your piece may look slightly different.
Caring for olive wood properly
Olive wood is robust, but it is a natural product. With little effort it stays beautiful for a long time:
- Wipe it dry. Remove dust with a soft, dry cloth. A slightly damp cloth is fine too; rub it dry straight afterwards.
- Do not soak it. Do not put wood in water or in the dishwasher. Water can cause cracks. This applies above all to kitchen pieces such as the salad servers or the spatula: wash by hand and dry quickly.
- Keep it out of the sun and away from radiators. Strong heat dries wood out. A wall cross is better hung on a wall at normal room temperature.
- Oil it occasionally. If the wood looks dull, you can rub it with a very thin layer of oil, for example olive oil or wood oil, and then wipe off any excess. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.
- Wear jewellery with care. Wooden necklaces and pendants should come off in the shower and when swimming. Store them in the pouch supplied, if a velvet pouch is included.
Olive wood ideas from our range
- Olive wood wall cross, 30 cm (€39.90)
- Olive wood tau cross, 15 cm (€29.90, blessed)
- Holding cross, 9 cm (€13.90, blessed)
- Cross necklace with dove (€9.90, blessed)
- Holy Family pendant (€9.90, blessed), also suitable as a Christmas tree ornament
- House blessing wall plaque (€17.90)
For Christmas there are pendants with nativity motifs in the Olive Wood Christmas Decorations collection. You will find ideas for the festive season in our article Christian Christmas Gifts.
Giving olive wood as a gift: occasions
Olive wood items suit almost every Christian occasion as a gift. For a christening or First Holy Communion there are crosses and cross pendants, for a wedding or a new home a house blessing, and for Christmas pendants with nativity motifs. Because the material feels warm and every piece is different, it also goes down well with people who otherwise have little to do with religious objects. You can read more in our articles Christening Gifts and Communion Gifts from Godparents.
Blessed: how does it work with us?
A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda blesses many of our items, including those made of olive wood, in our warehouse. A business-card-sized certificate showing the date of the blessing is included. Whether an item is blessed is stated in the product title. Items are shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; Italy €6.90, Spain €6.90. You have 30-day returns.
Frequently asked questions
How do you care for olive wood?
Wipe it dry or with a slightly damp cloth, never soak it, and keep it out of the sun and away from radiators. If the wood becomes dull, rub in a very thin layer of oil and wipe off any excess.
Why is olive wood more expensive than other wood?
The olive tree grows slowly, and the trunks are crooked and yield only small pieces. Each piece has to be worked individually. That makes the material more labour-intensive than mass-produced wood.
Where does our olive wood come from?
According to the product details, from Bethlehem in the Holy Land. Many descriptions name regularly pruned groves as the source.
Why does every piece look different?
Olive wood is a natural product. Grain and colour differ from piece to piece. That makes every item one of a kind.
Is olive wood dishwasher safe?
No. Wash wooden kitchen pieces by hand and dry them straight afterwards. In the dishwasher the wood can crack.
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