25 Best Kwanzaa Gifts to Honor African-American History and Culture
Celebrate this Pan-African holiday with these traditional, handmade and thoughtful gifts for kids and adults.
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Christmas and Hanukkah aren't the only December holidays that call for celebration. Kwanzaa, the Pan-African holiday that emerged in 1996, highlights African-American culture and heritage in the U.S. from December 26 to January 1. Along with enjoying a feast with loved ones, it also involves giving gifts! Shop our roundup of the best Kwanzaa gifts below.
These thoughtful, handmade and traditional Kwanzaa gift ideas will make their celebration one to remember. Our unique suggestions include an eye-catching Nelson Mandela portrait to add character to their home, along with personalized Kwanzaa wine glasses for pouring water, wine or other drinks during the feast. Looking for an educational pick? Introduce kids to the holiday with a picture book, My First Kwanzaa, or gift an assortment of tasty dried fruit for their dinner party.
When selecting these Kwanzaa gifts, we carefully chose meaningful options that could represent the beauty of the seven candles of the kinara: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). What's more, some of our picks are from Black-owned businesses and can easily double as one-of-a-kind Kwanzaa decorations. You're bound to find the perfect Kwanzaa present on our list!
Once the temperature dips, they can never have too many sweaters, if you ask us. This long-sleeve pick will let them put their culture on full display. It's available in seven colors, ranging from black to red, and it's designed for both men and women.
Delight the Kwanzaa decor lover in your life with these taper candles. They'll get three red and green candles, along with one black one to represent the seven principles. And if they're new to celebrating the holiday, the candles are labeled, making it easier to determine which one should be lit for the day.
This bundle comes with three, 12-ounce bags of organic coffee from various countries in Africa. It's a creative way for your loved one to celebrate their African roots, especially if they're morning coffee drinkers. It comes with Organic Rwanda (described as being smooth with a sweet taste), Organic Ethiopian Sidamo (earthy and berry-like) and Organic Congo Kivu (sweet and vibrant in flavor).
A kente stole has origins in Ghana and represents achievement. Usually worn during high school or college graduations, the stole will show your faith and confidence in their future.
Personalize this cutting board with your favorite Kwanzaa dinner recipe. You can choose to engrave both sides sides (or one), making this a thoughtful and cool gift for any mom, dad, grandma or grandpa.
If they're celebrating at home this year, chances are they'll be spending some time on the couch with loved ones after dinner. Make their setup more comfortable (and stylish) with these Kwanzaa-themed pillow covers, which are sold as a set of four. They're even machine-washable for convenience.
In light of Kwanzaa and the beauty of celebrating African culture, present them with a tray of dried fruit (honoring the First Fruits festivals in Southern Africa). They'll get a delicious assortment of tart cherries, apple rings, pears, cranberries and more.
Nelson Mandela fought for peace, justice and equality in Africa and is recognized worldwide for his leadership and legacy. That's why a colorful portrait of the icon himself is the perfect gift for the holiday. Plus, the print comes in multiple sizes and a few frame color options.
A family member or friend will love wearing these dangling 24k gold-plated earrings. Instead of traditional hoops, these unique Africa map earrings will showcase their appreciation for their roots, while adding some pizzazz to the most basic outfit.
"Hair Love" Book
This best-selling book highlights the beautiful relationship between a father and daughter, as one young girl learns to love and appreciate her natural hair.
Kids aren't the only ones who love to color! Families can take their time coloring each of the designs in this book. They'll find 52 pages featuring the symbols of Kwanzaa, along with other traditional African scenes and patterns to learn more about the holiday.
These headbands are one-size-fits-all and made of a stretchy material for comfort. Your purchase comes with eight colorful headbands in various African and boho-inspired prints that can work for all ages. "These headbands are wonderful," commented one reviewer. "Just pull your hair back and you’ll look perfect for any occasion."
One customer gave this picture book five stars, commenting that it's "a great introduction to Kwanzaa for children." Recommended for preschoolers and kindergarteners, the book is a fun way to keep kids engaged during the holiday, while peaking their visual interest with the illustrations.
"These earrings bring me so much joy each time I look at them," commented one Amazon reviewer." With their multi-colored design and double-loop structure, we can see why. Plus, they're made of an African wax print that's both lightweight and visually appealing.
One can never have too many candles, right? This handmade pick, beautifully packaged in a glass vessel wrapped in a woven design, might just make them book a trip to Morocco. It features woody oud layered with the sweetness of jasmine. It also has a 40-hour burning time with a natural soy wax melt.
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Complete with a cork backing to protect your tabletop, these lightweight coasters feature detailed graphics of the kinara and the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Even better, your purchase comes with a set of four.
Purchase these personalized wine glasses to use as unity cups during the Karamu feast on the sixth day. Add a phrase or multiple names up to 25 characters long. If you want to amp up your personalization, decorate one (or both) of the glasses with multi-colored beads.
Here's a pick that'll amp up their sock collection. Featuring a blend of cotton, nylon and polyester for comfort, these crew socks are covered with graphics of Kwanzaa's seven principles. They also come in black if beige isn't their style.
Their Kwanzaa dinner table won't be complete without the perfect runner. Go for this vibrant linen design, which is emblazoned with the word "Kwanzaa" on the front along with the kinara candles and principles on the sides.
Kwanzaa is a time to give thanks for your life and the lives of others in your community. With this gratitude journal set, they can take the time to reflect on what they are grateful for. The set comes with a three-prompt guided journal, stickers, and a pen and catchall tray inscribed with motivational words, including "Find the Beauty in Every Day."
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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