Do you remember seeing the photos of my table setting at my POM Party?  If you do, you might remember the wreath that was in the center of the table.

Not only is the wreath beautiful looking, but it represents a beautiful message.  Lindsay Olives sent me the wreath last month in an effort to get the message out about their partnership during this holiday season with Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA).  Lindsay Olives is selling the wreaths, handmade from freshly harvested California olive branches, along with branches from bay and eucalyptus trees, and giving all proceeds from the wreath sales to MOWAA.  MOWAA is a wonderful organization that provides seniors with warm, nutritious meals.

I love the symbolism inherent in this project. The olive tree and olive branch represent a history rich with symbolism in many cultures around the world.  According to “the Pengiun Dictionary of Symbols” by Jean Chevalier and Alain Gheerbrant, “This tree possess a wealth of symbolism – peace, fruitfulness, purification, strength, victory and reward. In Ancient Greece the tree was sacred to Athene and the first olive, which sprang from her quarrel with Poseidon, was preserved as a treasure behind the Erechtheum.In Jewish and Christian tradition, the olive is a symbol of peace and it was an olive-branch which the dove brought back to Noah when the Flood was over.  And old legend tells that Christ’s cross was made of olive-and cedar-wood.  For Islam, the olive is the central tree, the World axis, a symbol of Universal Man and of the Prophet.” –“The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols” by Jean Chevalier and Alain Gheerbrant. (Penguin Group, London, 1996).  I love the idea that by buying a wreath made of olive branches you are literally providing someone else with a bit of peace and strength during this holiday season.  In addition, you are decorating with a beautiful environmentally friendly product!

The wreaths are available in two sizes. The 12-inch round wreath is just $30 and the larger 16-inch wreath is only $35.  If you’ve ever bought fresh greenery before, you’ll know that this is a wonderful bargain, made even more wonderful by the fact that it the proceeds are going to help a worthwhile cause!  The wreaths start out very green and as they dry they turn to a beautiful silvery green color.  Mine is just as beautiful now as it was a month ago!

Lindsay Olives has generously offered a wreath for one La Fuji Mama reader!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment below.

Bonus Entries: (*Each bonus entry requires a separate comment to be counted!*)

2. Follow @fujimama on Twitter. RT this post and then come back and leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done so. NOTE: You must be following @fujimama for this entry to count.  You can even just copy and paste this tweet to make it easy: “I just entered to win a beautiful handmade olive branch wreath from @fujimama and Lindsay Olives. http://su.pr/7C5h1K”

3. Like La Fuji Mama on Facebook. Come back and leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done so (or if you already “like” me on Facebook).

4. Like Lindsay Olives on Facebook.  Come back and leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done so (or if you already “like” them on Facebook).

4. Sign up for our RSS Feed or Email Subscription.  Come back and leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done so (or if you’re already a subscriber).

* Disclosure: La Fuji Mama was given a wreath for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.