A few years ago, our family began to incorporate Kwanzaa traditions into our overall December holiday celebrations. You can read more about how we celebrate Kwanzaa here. Kwanzaa is a celebration of African culture in America, and it is centered on seven principles designed to promote community and family, unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, collective economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
The kinara (pronounced kee-NAH-ruh) holds seven candles, one for each night of Kwanzaa (three green candles, three red candles, and one black candle). Each candle corresponds to a principle. On the first night of Kwanzaa, we light the black candle and recite the principle that the black candle represents. This ritual continues for the next six nights.
Zawadi
On the final night of Kwanzaa, after the seventh candle has been lit and the principle recited, zawadi (pronounced zuh-WAH-dee), or gifts are given out. Zawadi is meant to be meaningful; these gifts are traditionally handcrafted or educational. Zawadi is given to encourage growth, self-determination, achievement, and success. Any gifts that embody these attributes or the spirit of Kwanzaa are welcome.
Last year, we gave our daughters books that spoke to the tradition of Kwanzaa in addition to books that spoke to the history of their Caribbean heritage (Jamaican and Guyanese). This year, we want to give them both a gift that symbolizes time. We want them to have something that will be a tangible reminder to them of the value of time, all year long. I’ll be sharing what we end up giving them on my IG: Motherhood Menageries.
As I searched for gifts this year, I came across a few items that I think would be great for Kwanzaa. Whether you and your family celebrate Kwanzaa in your home, OR you celebrate Kwanzaa in someone else’s home and want to bring a gift, this gift guide will help you find meaningful gifts that represent the elements of zawadi and Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa Gift Guide
Kwanzaa Personalized Family Ornament
This would be a lovely gift to bring if you are celebrating Kwanzaa with a friend or a beautiful keepsake for your family’s first Kwanzaa.
Black Heroes: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern Day U.S.A
What I love about this book is that it gives a wider, more comprehensive look at Black history and culture. Storytelling is a central part of Kwanzaa and of Black culture. Passing down culture and tradition through storytelling has been a mainstay for hundreds of years.
Whole Genome Deep Ancestry Test
On the first night of Kwanzaa, a few drops of water are poured from the kikombe cha umoja (pronounced kee-KOME-bay chah oo-MOE-juh), or unity cup, to remember and honor our ancestors. An ancestry kit is a great gift for a deeper exploration into your family history and story.
Alltruists Subscription Box
Collective work and community responsibility are Kwanzaa principles and important life principles to pass on to our children. Alltruists is a company that walks this principle out. They provide resources for families to engage with issues and volunteer in their local communities in small but impactful ways. And they partner with nonprofits to create child-friendly volunteer projects. This would be a great gift to get the whole family involved.
NAAHMC Membership
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture membership would be a great gift of experience to give. You can choose from several tiers of membership. “Your gift recipient will receive a full Membership to the Museum and all the benefits based on the level of support you choose below. We will inform the recipient of your generous gift and how it is helping the Museum share African American history and experiences with the world.” You will also be supporting the work that the NAAHMC does to provide African American history and culture to Dallas and the Metroplex.
Brown Estate Wines
A bottle of wine is typically a welcome gesture when visiting a friend’s home for a party. Purchasing a bottle of wine from a Black-owned winery is a thoughtful way to support a Black-owned business and would be a nice gift to bring to the karamu (pronounced kuh-RAH-moo) if an invitation is extended. The karamu is a feast where families celebrate with friends and loved ones. Soul food and popular dishes from the African diaspora are usually served.
Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora
If you are invited to celebrate Kwanzaa with loved ones and encouraged to bring a dish to share, this cookbook is a great place to find a recipe in line with the foods typically served at a karamu. This book would also make a perfect diverse addition to your cookbook collection.
Kwanzaa is an outward expression of love, unity, family, and commitment through tradition, history, culture, and service. Whether you are spending Kwanzaa with your family or with others, these gifts are a thoughtful and meaningful way to celebrate.
