Kwanzaa Gift Guide

Here, seven ideas that celebrate the values of each day.

It’s a Celebration! - Celebrating Kwanzaa this year? It starts December 26 and runs through January 1, with a focus on a different one of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) on each day. On the final day, we give zawadi, or gifts, that embody the spirit of the celebration. Much like Christmas, kids are the primary recipients, but we could all use a reminder of the principles. Here, gift ideas that celebrate the values of each day; starred items — all but two — are from black-owned companies and organizations. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: 2/Inti St. Clair/Ocean/Corbis)

1 / 8

It’s a Celebration! - Celebrating Kwanzaa this year? It starts December 26 and runs through January 1, with a focus on a different one of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) on each day. On the final day, we give zawadi, or gifts, that embody the spirit of the celebration. Much like Christmas, kids are the primary recipients, but we could all use a reminder of the principles. Here, gift ideas that celebrate the values of each day; starred items — all but two — are from black-owned companies and organizations. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: 2/Inti St. Clair/Ocean/Corbis)

Day 1: Umoja | Unity - From family and the community to the race and the nation, Kwanzaa starts with a meditation on the concept of unity. This unframed print will serve as a daily reminder that without a united front, there can be no progress. (Dwell, $20*)  (Photo: April Harrison via the Black Art Depot)

2 / 8

Day 1: Umoja | Unity - From family and the community to the race and the nation, Kwanzaa starts with a meditation on the concept of unity. This unframed print will serve as a daily reminder that without a united front, there can be no progress. (Dwell, $20*)  (Photo: April Harrison via the Black Art Depot)

Day 2. Kujichagulia | Self-Determination - This day is about defining ourselves, rather than letting others do it for us. Show your little ones — or your homegirls — that they can set their own standards of beauty with one of these gorgeous headwraps. (Mozambican Rain, $24; Koko, $24*)  (Photo: the Wrap Life via Instagram)

3 / 8

Day 2. Kujichagulia | Self-Determination - This day is about defining ourselves, rather than letting others do it for us. Show your little ones — or your homegirls — that they can set their own standards of beauty with one of these gorgeous headwraps. (Mozambican Rain, $24; Koko, $24*)  (Photo: the Wrap Life via Instagram)

Day 3. Ujima | Collective Work and Responsibility - Day three asks us to be our sister’s keeper. Bead for Life trains Ugandan women to be entrepreneurs and provides distribution for their wares. If you buy this particular bracelet, $20 of the price goes to help young girls go to secondary school. (Girls Education Bangle, $26*)  (Photo: Bead for Life)

4 / 8

Day 3. Ujima | Collective Work and Responsibility - Day three asks us to be our sister’s keeper. Bead for Life trains Ugandan women to be entrepreneurs and provides distribution for their wares. If you buy this particular bracelet, $20 of the price goes to help young girls go to secondary school. (Girls Education Bangle, $26*)  (Photo: Bead for Life)

Day 4. Ujamaa | Cooperative Economics - #BuyingBlack is the rallying cry of day four, and the dandy-approved bowties from William + James — the company is named for W.E.B. DuBois and James Baldwin — make the perfect handmade gift for your dapper dad, son or bae. (The Garvey, $65*)  (Photo: William+James)

5 / 8

Day 4. Ujamaa | Cooperative Economics - #BuyingBlack is the rallying cry of day four, and the dandy-approved bowties from William + James — the company is named for W.E.B. DuBois and James Baldwin — make the perfect handmade gift for your dapper dad, son or bae. (The Garvey, $65*)  (Photo: William+James)

ADVERTISEMENT
Day 5. Nia | Purpose - The Passion Planner doesn’t just help you map out your day, it helps you identify your purpose and goals and gives you the tools to work toward them daily. Give one to your favorite dreamer.(Passion Planner Compact 2015, $25)  (Photo: Passion Planner)

6 / 8

Day 5. Nia | Purpose - The Passion Planner doesn’t just help you map out your day, it helps you identify your purpose and goals and gives you the tools to work toward them daily. Give one to your favorite dreamer.(Passion Planner Compact 2015, $25)  (Photo: Passion Planner)

Day 6. Kuumba | Creativity - Paper Crafts for Kwanzaa by Randel McGee features eight art projects you can do with your little one, from a mkeka (woven mat) to a pop-up card featuring a kinara. Bonus points if you buy it at a local bookstore. (Paper Crafts for Kwanzaa, $9) (Photo: Enslow Elementary Publishers)

7 / 8

Day 6. Kuumba | Creativity - Paper Crafts for Kwanzaa by Randel McGee features eight art projects you can do with your little one, from a mkeka (woven mat) to a pop-up card featuring a kinara. Bonus points if you buy it at a local bookstore. (Paper Crafts for Kwanzaa, $9) (Photo: Enslow Elementary Publishers)

Day 7. Imani | Faith - The final day of Kwanzaa falls on the first day of the New Year and it represents faith in our people, faith in our future and faith in our forward movement. A handmade doll from black-owned Jacq’s Dolls will remind the recipient — and you — that our most important job is to create a better reality for our little ones. (Emma, $38*) (Photo: Jaq's Dolls)

8 / 8

Day 7. Imani | Faith - The final day of Kwanzaa falls on the first day of the New Year and it represents faith in our people, faith in our future and faith in our forward movement. A handmade doll from black-owned Jacq’s Dolls will remind the recipient — and you — that our most important job is to create a better reality for our little ones. (Emma, $38*) (Photo: Jaq's Dolls)