If you’re searching for a Kwanzaa gift — either because you regularly celebrate or because you’ve been invited to a Kwanzaa gathering — you’re getting an opportunity to participate in one of the most unique and singular secular holidays of the season. That’s because Kwanzaa isn’t tied to any one particular faith. While its roots reach back to the traditions of African harvest festivals, it originated in 20th-century America.
Originally designed as a way for people of the African diaspora to reclaim and celebrate a part of their African heritage lost in (and often intentionally suppressed by) the American cultural landscape, it’s now grown to become a celebration of not just historic African traditions, but African American history and achievements, and contemporary African and diasporic endeavors. At its core, though, remain the Nguzo Saba or seven principles that are symbolized by 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).
So, if you need a gift for Kwanzaa, we’ve found an array of options that commemorate cultural ideals, old and new, and even bring a little extra fun to the celebration.
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Read the Reclaimed Folklore
The Annotated African American Folktales
Now 26% Off
The rich history of African American folklore had, in the 19th and 20th centuries, largely been seen in the United States via white appropriations — particularly the distorted retellings by Joel Chandler Harris.
Here, noted academics Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Maria Tatar endeavor to return these stories to their roots and in doing so, restore the beloved works of folklore to the intended tellings of their ancestral authors.
More:12 Best Kwanzaa Gifts for Kids That Celebrate Tradition
Keep their love for their African heritage close to their heart with a cute gold-plated pendant that outlines the entire continent. It’s a great way to honor their culture and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
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You’re Never Too Old to Color
Kwanzaa Coloring Book: For Kids And Adults
$7 at Amazon
Don’t be afraid to go outside the lines with a festive coloring book that’ll get your family’s creative juices flowing. It’s completely kid-friendly — with large and simple drawings that’ll teach them the principles of Kwanzaa — but it makes for a great gift for artistic adults of all ages, too.
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For Celebratory Spirits
Kwanzaa Wine Bottle Label Stickers
Now 20% Off
A bottle of wine is always a welcome Kwanzaa gift for the dinner host, but if you’re looking to dress it up for a festive occasion, turn to these sweet, sticky-backed labels for an extra-spirited feel. Simply place one on top of the bottle’s existing label, and it’s ready to give and gulp.
This wearable symbolic gift displays each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani).
These principles are represented by the seven candles that are displayed on the kinara, which is the traditional candleholder used to celebrate the festival.
Any bold coffee lover will be thrilled to receive this flavorful Kenyan-grown blend featuring rich burgundy undertones and bright citrus notes with every sip.
The brand goes beyond making great brews by providing employment and education opportunities for female artisans and orphans in Kisii, Kenya. Each package of coffee comes with a removable piece of women’s art that’s crafted with dried bark from banana trees and handmade paper.
Handwoven by groups of women in small communities across Rwanda, this sisal, raffia, and sweetgrass basket makes for a beautiful Kwanzaa gift. Each basket takes weeks to craft and comes with a tag that includes information about the weaver, so you know exactly how your basket came to be.
Wish them a very happy Kwanzaa with this pop-up card, which turns the simple holiday greeting into an actual work of art they can proudly display, amongst other decorations. It creatively features the traditional Kwanzaa setup, including a kinara, unity cup, and fruits and vegetables.
Add a bit of sparkle to the celebration with this Kwanzaa gift. These gorgeous earrings feature ethically sourced bone, cut into confetti-like discs, and hand-dyed in vibrant colors that’ll catch any eye. Additionally, each pair is handcrafted by artisans in Kenya using traditional techniques.
Roachele Negron of Rayo & Honey handcrafts “goods with positive intent” in her Brooklyn studio like this gift for book lovers.
Featuring the phrase “Hundreds of Books Under My Skin,” this hand-painted leather and acrylic bookmark is the perfect companion for all the books they’ll receive for Kwanzaa.
Made of tamarind puree, guava, and ginger juice, this sweet and savory marinade can be used on everything from barbeque to desserts. EssieSpice helps to provide free tuition and meals to the Tarkwa Breman Girls School in Ghana and partners with Ghanaian farmers to provide fresh ingredients for their spices.
More:45 Gifts That Give Back to Charity
This set is a celebration of African creativity and craftsmanship, making for the perfect Kwanzaa gift. It includes a beautiful Kazuri necklace made in Nairobi, a colorful Banasco Basket from Ghana-based Baba Tree, and a pair of etched recycled glass tumblers from the Kenyan brand Siafu Home.
Each gift in this set supports positive change in local communities.
This colorful print featuring a black-and-white photo of Nelson Mandela at its center makes for a thoughtful Kwanzaa gift. It beautifully celebrates the anti-apartheid activist and his mark on the world. Printed on thick and durable matte paper, this poster is made to last.
Hoping to bring the little ones in on the holiday fun? Introduce the traditions of Kwanzaa early with these adorable PJs.
Along with colorful kinara and vibrant fruits and vegetables, the print on these PJs features stars and wrapped gifts. After all, what kid doesn’t love presents?
She’ll never run out of essentials to stash in this handmade printed zipper pouch. Stuff it with some useful goodies for Kwanzaa gift-giving, like travel-sized hand cream and some lip balm, or choose a set of nail polishes that are as colorful as this cute pouch.
While other holidays have an overflow of seasonal cinema, Kwanzaa-celebrating cinephiles have to rely solely on theRugrats Kwanzaa episode and the excellent documentary The Black Candle. Indeed, it’s easy to get discouraged and feel that the African American experience in general hadn’t been authentically told onscreen. That is, until The Learning Tree.
In fact, African Americans were some of the earliest innovators of filmmaking, with a rich industry of films by and for African Americans thriving in the silent era. This collection by Kino Lorber helps to recontextualize the role of African Americans in the history of cinematic storytelling.
This Kwanzaa gift will brighten up any space. Celebrate these special 7 days with this thoughtful piece of seasonal decor. Not only does this comfy throw pillow add a splash of color to any room, but the embroidered kinara candles can actually light up at the press of a button.
