21 Special Kwanzaa Gifts for All of Your Loved Ones
Kwanzaa is a time to celebrate the best of the holiday spirit by gathering together, honoring ancestors and building unity. It’s also marked by storytelling, music, food and, of course, gifts! While the roots of the cultural holiday encourage handmade items, we’ve got plenty of shoppable Kwanzaa gift ideas that pay homage to African and African-American traditions—including options from Black-owned businesses. From kid toys and books to clothing and accessories in the holiday’s colors of red, black and green, there’s something befitting every tradition.
Before searching for the best Kwanzaa gifts, you might need a little primer on the holiday itself. The weeklong celebration was founded in the United States in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies, author and activist, with a desire to unify the black and brown community worldwide.
Kwanzaa honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26th to January 1st each year. Traditions vary, but the goal is to celebrate, inspire and honor the past. And, of course, the festivities culminate with gift-giving and a big feast.
From informative books to wooden toys and traditional textiles, these sweet gifts will give your kiddos plenty to celebrate—and provide you with an opportunity to teach them about their heritage.
Festive infant pajamas
What better way to celebrate the holiday than with Kwanzaa pajamas? This footed infant onesie is decorated with all the colors and symbols of the season—how cute! Plus, for added convenience, it features a full-length zipper to make diaper changes quick, so you and your little one can get back to celebrating in no time.
Celebratory doll outfit
Get your child in on the holiday action with an American Girl holiday doll outfit that honors the seven symbols of Kwanzaa. This festive set includes a unity cup, woven mkeka mat and a booklet that highlights five different cultural celebrations—in addition to the customary African print outfit.
Adventurous storybook set
Looking to diversify your little one’s bookshelf? Then this storybook gift set is sure to be a winner. It comes with three vibrant, hardcover picture books that are beautifully illustrated and follow the global adventures of Aya and her adorable sidekick Pete. Even better, the latter is available as a plush toy to truly bring your kiddo’s favorite characters to life.
Musical memory game
If you’re looking for an educational Kwanzaa gift from a Black-owned business, this is a great option. Designed for kids ages 3 and up, this beautifully illustrated memory game introduces kids to all kinds of musical instruments, accessories and dances.
Holiday bingo
Everybody will have fun playing Kwanzaa bingo at any holiday party with this exciting, kid-friendly game. Kwanzaa-themed cards and markers give this classic and beloved game a fresh holiday-appropriate look.
Cute Kwanzaa onesie
This baby onesie is made from ultra-soft organic cotton and is decorated with “Happy Kwanzaa” in a retro-inspired font. The best part? It’s also available as a t-shirt and comes in infant, toddler and kids sizes, so your kiddos can have a holiday matching moment.
Colorful, plant-based soap set
Celebrate Kwanzaa at bathtime with the traditional colors of the holiday that symbolize the candles of the kinara. Included in this gift-ready box, is a 3-in-1 shampoo, bubble bath and body wash you can mix to create seven unique scent and texture combinations.
Kente cloth gift set
Looking for the perfect baby gift set to mark Kwanzaa? The adorable bib, burp cloth and pacifier clip in this set all feature the traditional African Kente cloth print. Crafted from 100 percent cotton, each handmade design comes in a variety of vibrant patterns. Plus, gift wrapping is available to make gifting even more seamless on your end.
While kids are generally the gift recipients during Kwanzaa, anyone would appreciate a thoughtful gift that honors the traditions of the holiday and shows them how much you love and appreciate them.
Pop-up holiday card
Surprise and delight loved ones with a unique and fun greeting card that celebrates Kwanzaa’s beautiful traditions. This pop-up design can be left blank so you can handwrite a message—or, you can add text, a photo and even a gift card to it and have it delivered straight to your friend or family member’s home.
Luxe bath towels
These linen bath towels are sure to add a touch of luxury to your partner’s daily routine. Thoughtfully designed by Jason Evege, each one is made from heavyweight, all-natural linen that dries quickly, so that it stays fresher for longer. They’re also available in several earth tones and sizes to help you find the perfect match.
Modern wine tumblers
Estelle Colored Glass is another Black-owned business to have on your radar this holiday season. These modern stemless wine glasses are available in pairs of two and come in an array of chic hues. They’re sure to add a pop of color to any table setting, whether it’s a festive feast or a weeknight dinner.
Customizable apron
Does your partner love to get creative in the kitchen? Then this next Kwanzaa gift idea is sure to check all of the boxes on your list. The celebratory apron can be customized with your family’s or your loved one’s name and features a festive design. Plus, you’ll appreciate the sturdy design, the adjustable neck strap and the four-piece pocket. But that’s not all—it also comes with a matching potholder that can be personalized as well.
Share the spirit of the season with your loving grandparents. This year, spread the light of Kwanzaa with a lovingly chosen gift—from holiday candles and home decor—that will offer shopping inspiration to make your Kwanzaa gift-giving memorable.
Sleek digital frame
Who said tech presents can’t be sentimental? Case in point: This sleek, easy-to-use digital picture frame. With it, your partner won’t have to choose just a few photos to display, but have all of their favorites on a slideshow loop. This Kwanzaa gift idea is sure to spark joy on the holiday and for many months to come.
Gourmet chocolate-covered fruit
Treat your loved ones to a box of gourmet sweets this celebratory season. The luxe gift comes with an assortment of delicious chocolate-dipped fruits, fresh from California’s orchards. Inside, you’ll find peaches, pears, pineapples and so much more. Not a fan of dried fruits? No problem—check out their best-selling truffles collection for another standout Kwanzaa gift.
Sentimental photo album
When choosing the perfect Kwanzaa gift for grandparents, you can’t go wrong with a sentimental photo album. We’re fans of this customizable book from Artifact Uprising. Personalize by choosing the color of the fabric binding, altering the minimalist layout to your liking and adding your favorite photos, of course. Grandma and Grandpa will love looking through this album while you’re all gathered together and throughout the year.
Seasonal cookbook
No gathering is complete without some seriously amazing Kwanzaa food. With this cookbook on hand, your loved one will have dozens of delicious, nourishing recipes to experiment with over the holidays and beyond.
Whether you’re looking to gift something to your nanny, daycare providers or teachers, these standout Kwanzaa gifts are sure to be a hit. Remember, a small token of appreciation goes a long way.
Hand-carved celebration set
Begin the festive holiday with a Kwanzaa celebration set that comes with a hand-carved kinara and umoja unity cup, seven traditional Mishumaa Saba candles (three red, one black and three green). The set also includes a kente cloth, a basket, a mkeka mat and a Kwanzaa guide.
Unique candle
This candle is equal parts timeless and uniquely refreshing. The glass is vibrantly decorated with Sheila Bridges’ “Harlem Toile de Jouy” print, which takes inspiration from the traditional French toile style and blends it with the rich culture of Harlem. When lit, this candle smells like a beautiful mix of lemon, suede, patchouli and bergamot. It’s sure to make a statement in any living space.
Gourmet fruit tray
Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, which loosely translates to “fresh fruits”. What better way to celebrate the harvest at the heart of the season with distant friends and family than by sending a decadent fruit tray? This option comes with a variety of gourmet treats, including candied kiwis, candied pineapple rings, candied mangoes and more.
Festive candy dispenser
Celebrate how sweet the Kwanzaa holiday season is with this retro-style gumball dispenser filled with custom-created M&M’s in the traditional Kwanzaa colors of red, black and green, plus the words, "Happy Kwanzaa!".
Kente-inspired pillow
Another great Kwanzaa gift idea: Seasonal home decor. This colorful pillow features a kente cloth design to make your living space feel even more festive. Choose from several sizes.
We get it—holiday gifting isn’t always a breeze. That’s why, to simplify your search, we handpicked the best Kwanzaa gifts of the year, so you won’t have to spend hours scrolling this celebratory season. We considered several factors when choosing which presents to feature in our roundup, such as value and quality. What’s more, we read user reviews to understand how real gift recipients have loved these products and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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