10 Kwanzaa Gift Ideas by Black Food Makers
Whether you’re looking for a budget buy or a serious splurge, these gifts are sure to keep on giving after January 1.
Be Rooted
Holiday shopping can be a stressful situation. With some people’s lists of friends and family members to shop for being longer than Santa’s, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with thoughts of quality items to give. What do you get the person who essentially has everything? A house? A dog? A new car? Of course, all of those items aren’t necessarily realistic, but one can dream.
While Christmas and Hanukkah are holidays that often get the spotlight during this season, for Black people, Kwanzaa is just as important and impactful. Known as the annual celebration of Black culture, Kwanzaa runs from December 26 to January 1 and was first celebrated in 1966. And while each family celebrates the holiday in their own way, if giving gifts (which is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa) is your way to bask in its glory, then shopping Black-owned companies is your key to achieving an unforgettable year.
To help you find the best of the best for those you love, we compiled a list of some of the top Black-owned businesses that speak to celebrating the culture and will be great for Kwanzaa and beyond.
Owned by self-proclaimed snack dealer Chauniqua Major, Project Pop is the popcorn of all popcorn. Created as a way to deliver a clean, better-for-you snack option to her nieces, the brand has since grown to become a favorite of many. While the brand started off with the obsessively delicious OG Kettle Popcorn, over the years, the brand has expanded to offer up both seasonal and limited-edition flavors that are each worth the praise. And for those that are looking to add a little luxury to their lives — even in the smallest form — the 24K Gold Popcorn is the perfect gift for that. Made with quality ingredients, this is one gift that you’ll love giving and receiving.
Founded in 2020 by Jasmine Foster, Be Rooted was designed as a space for women of color to see themselves in many spaces they hadn’t before. Delivering cultural designs in all of the products offered, Be Rooted’s products range from journals and planners to everything needed to really make your desk shine. Whether you’re on the hunt for pens with positive affirmations or gorgeously designed cards, this Black-owned business has something for everyone. And if you’re shopping for someone that’s big on self-care, the Cranberry Marmalade candle is the item you need to add to your cart now. Featuring notes of apple, cranberry and cinnamon, this candle will make anyone feel like it’s autumn all year long.
Whiskey is the name of the game these days and Black women are coming to take the crown. Red Hazel Whiskey, for example — which was founded by brother-sister duo TJ and TK Burtin — is a spiced whiskey that was derived from TK’s love of sharing an Old Fashioned over good conversation. With a goal of introducing everyone to a new way to enjoy whiskey, this growing, award-winning brand is making a splash in a big way. Blended with natural spices, this 70-proof sip is sure to be the one gift that keeps on giving. The best part? You can enjoy it neat or crafted in a delicious cocktail, so there’s no reason to pass up on this one.
It can be hard to find a good, long-lasting knife set at a decent price, but once you’ve been introduced to Middleton Made Knives, you won’t want to use anything else. Handmade by Quintin Middleton, the brand offers up artisan bespoke knives perfect for the chef and home cook alike. Since its 2010 inception, Middleton has become known as the South’s “premier culinary bladesmith” and has crafted knives for James Beard Award-winning chefs like Michael Anthony and Sean Brock. If you’re not ready to pull the trigger on one of the higher priced knives, however, starting off with the Echo 4-inch Paring Knife is a good place to start. Perfect for all food preparation tasks, the knife — which is made from high quality stainless steel and dyed birch veneer — will be a much-appreciated gift for anyone receiving it.
Whether you’re a pro on the grill or just know your way around the kitchen, there’s one thing you need to have in your kitchen arsenal to take things up a notch: Boûld Seasoning Co’s signature Rib Rub. Founded by husband-wife duo Alex and Domonique Bouldrick, Boûld’s story began in 2012 when the two first met. Bonding over their love for throwing at-home University of Florida tailgating parties for friends, the two took things a step further years later and in 2020 — after perfecting the blend of their go-to rub that friend and family enjoyed — decided to make their rub available for all to enjoy. Full of flavor, this unique spice blend promises to be so good, you won’t even need sauce for your ribs. Not a rib person? No worries. You can put this rub on just about anything you can think of.
After nearly 10 years in the game, Partake has become one of the leading Black-owned snack companies in the industry. Created after founder Denise Woodard’s daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, the brand has grown to be known as a tasty allergy-friendly option that everyone can enjoy. Gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan and free of the top nine allergens, Partake’s range of foods are made with clean ingredients like oat flour, ginger, organic buckwheat, cinnamon, flax and more. While there are a number of products for you to enjoy in their line, if you’re not sure which one you should purchase, the 4-box variety pack is a good place to start. Featuring four 5.5-ounce boxes of either their crunchy or soft-baked varieties, you can’t go wrong with having options to choose from.
Know a friend or family member that considers themselves the biggest Beyoncé fan around? They’ve more than likely already heard of the bombshell’s foray into the alcohol industry with the release of her SirDavis American Whisky brand or have already grabbed a bottle for themselves. And honestly, who could blame them? Crafted from Beyoncé’s love for whisky, the highly celebrated sip boasts a 44-percent ABV, features notes of cinnamon, clove and classic rye, and has a sweet honey, ripe cherry and plum sultana finish. All the makings of a perfect drink.
It’s time to spice up the holiday season with one of the best sauce brands around: Hot N Saucy. Founded by chef Sam Davis-Allonce, this line of incredible sauces is one that’s lip-smacking good. Don’t believe us? Even Oprah thinks so! Serving up a reimagined version of traditional hot sauce, these colorful, all-natural sauces bring the heat without sacrificing delicious taste. Though there are plenty of flavors to choose from — including those with high heat, mild heat and on the sweeter side — if a taste of what this brand is all about is what you’re shooting for, the three-pack Flavor Pack is exactly what dreams are made of.
Give the gift of paradise without needing to leave home with Tipsy Lady Cocktails. This brand, launched in 2022 by Toni Gilliard, fuses together convenience and flavor in a Caribbean-inspired ready-to-drink can. While TLC only consists of three flavors right now — Rum Punch, Sunrise Mimosa, and Mojito — each 6.8-ounce can has made its mark on the spirits world. And with a 12-percent ABV in tow, this is one sip you won’t have down an entire pack of to get what you’re looking for. Not sure which flavor to try first? The highly celebrated Rum Punch, which was perfected over two decades, is a gift worth giving over and over again.
In a world full of Le Creuset and Straub sets, it’s difficult to find a quality set of cookware that doesn’t break the bank. If you’re on the hunt for a set that checks all of the boxes and is easy on the wallet, Ayesha Curry’s fan-favorite collection of pots and pans will do the trick. The special thing about this cookware — aside from its affordability — is that each piece offers even heating, is oven safe up to 500°F, includes shatter resistant glass lids and, of course, its non-stick. While there are plenty of items to choose from in her amazing line, the 9-piece cookware set, available in brown, red, or tea colorways, is one that anyone would be grateful to receive this holiday season.
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