Shop the Season: Hand-Carved Housewares

Maureen from the executive office discovers the beauty of olive wood at Bank of America Winter Village Holiday Shops. 

As I strolled the Holiday Shops on my rounds of the park, one kiosk in particular kept catching my eye. Sitting atop the clean white shelving at Natural OliveWood, kiosk G9, are beautifully carved wooden housewares. I just had to take a peek inside to satisfy my curiosity.

Natural OliveWood is located on the 42nd Street side of the park, midway between Sixth Avenue and the New York Public Library.

Up close, the products look even better. I love cooking and entertaining, as do several of the people for whom I wanted to buy Christmas gifts. The kiosk's one-of-a-kind, hand-carved pieces fit the bill perfectly.

There are a variety of serving dishes, cheese boards, utensils, and more. Natural OliveWood has pieces in all sizes and at all price points, so you'll be sure to find that perfect gift. 

After I spoke to the proprietor, the gift seemed even better. The products come from a small family workshop in Tunisia, where each piece of olive wood is assessed for its characteristics and carved accordingly. Nonporous by nature and coated in a protective layer of olive oil, the chemical-free kitchen line is as safe as it is sustainable. Moreover, olive branches are a traditional symbol of peace and goodwill; the symbolism adds a special layer of meaning to a gift.

The honey pots (left) and salt cellars (right) are attractive on their own; better yet, they are useful.

Utilitarian items like spatulas and spoons look like works of art when carved of uniquely grained olive wood. At just $10 each, the utensils are perfect stocking stuffers.

The gorgeous cheese boards and cheese knives made me want to throw a cocktail party.

I selected my gift items (I don't want to tell you what I bought, in case the recipient reads this post!) but I can assure you that I am excited to give them. Each purchase comes with a business card-sized instruction set for maintaining the wood, so I know that it will look as beautiful a year from now as it did when I gave the gift.

Holiday Shops at Bank of America Winter Village
Weekdays, 11am - 8pm
Saturdays, 10am - 9pm
Sundays, 10am - 6pm
#WinterVillage