Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
In the past few years I’ve made gifting Black a priority, a guiding ethos of my gifting strategy along with its other core tenet: be specific. The combination of the two along with budget constraints has made for some interesting items, like a very good $20 lip gloss (mentioned below) and books by Black authors. (The latter isn’t technically Black-owned but it is supporting Black artists, which to me, counts.) To compile the list below I’ve sourced affordable items from some of my favorite Black brands, many of which come from our directory of nearly 200 Black-owned businesses vetted by my fellow Strategist writers and our editors.
Broken into categories from beauty and self-care to home goods to books and entertainment, there’s something for every occasion, whether that’s the fast-approaching holiday season, a housewarming, or a baby shower. To make browsing even easier, you can jump to specific categories using the links above.
For adding extra shine, Bread Beauty Supply makes an oil that’s been described as “lip gloss for hair.”
I’ve been using the Danessa Myricks Moisture Repair Balm to prep my skin pre-makeup and have been impressed with how hydrated and glowy it makes my skin look. It contains hyaluronic acid and squalane oil — a deeply moisturizing combination that won’t clog pores.
Topicals Slick Salve has been everywhere this year. The ultra-glossy lip balm offers unmatched shine and all-day hydration thanks to a blend of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin.
For another super-shiny lip balm with a bit of color, Eadem’s Le Chouchou is a good option. It comes in five buildable shades that look good on a wide range of skin tones.
If your giftee is on the hunt for a signature scent, Maya Nije has a discovery set, which includes six sample-size scents. Vanilj, a spicy gourmand, is a favorite of writer Natalie Toren, who says it’s not too overpowering and “hums at a low volume” on the skin.
Pat McGrath’s Skin Fetish blush has an ultrasilky finish and comes in a range of flattering hues. Rio describes it as incredibly easy to blend and recommends the shade Divine Rose, a warm, mauve-y hue.
HyperSkin makes one of our favorite vitamin C serums for treating hyperpigmentation. It contains a super-stable form of vitamin C along with bearberry, licorice, and kojic acid, which help to brighten skin, plus a little salicylic acid to prevent breakouts.
This nonobvious bonnet is a celebrity and Strategist favorite because it stays on all night and is inconspicuous enough to wear outside. The original comes in one size, but if you want to ensure it doesn’t slip off during the night or loosen over time, there’s an adjustable option too.
We dubbed this Ami Colé lip oil the “Telfar of lipgloss.” As I’ve written previously, I appreciate the brand’s “minimal-but-melanated approach to beauty, which feels like a love letter to Black community.” (And if your giftee has already hopped on the bandwagon, they’ll love a restock.)
A silky sunscreen that gives skin a noticeable glow.
From Crown Heights–based Marché Rue Dix, a silky shea body oil, which is much more spreadable than your classic shea butter.
For jotting down their thoughts, Cloth & Paper makes notebooks that can be customized to suit their needs. I like this graph-paper one, which has a dusky plastic cover and is made of heavyweight paper stock.
From designer Sean Brown, a waterproof shower curtain featuring iconic chairs across history painted by Miki Matsuyama.
Scent their space with a candle from Loam — a small-batch candlemaker based in Los Angeles. I’m most interested in “Scenic Route,” which the brand describes as spicy and earthy. It has notes of cedarwood, ginger grass, bergamot, and vetiver — a combination I think would work well in any room.
Interior designer Sheila Bridges is known for her signature Harlem Toile, which reimagines the classic French design by depicting Black figures doing everyday things. The design has appeared on a range of home goods — from wallpaper to candles — and more recently, a collaboration with Le Creuset. This mug from the collection features people playing basketball and is made from Le Creuset’s sturdy stoneware.
For anyone who is tired of looking at the same boring white walls, Sabrena Khadija has an assortment of prints, including this astrology-inspired Gemini piece, which Strategist writer Dominique Pariso has in her home.
Or, if collage is more their speed, Austin-based artist Brittnee Lavender specializes in retro-surreal art.
Goodee stocks homewares from around the world, making it a go-to for unique, exceptionally made gifts. This clay bowl, for example, was handcrafted by Egyptian artisans in Fayoum.
Lichen, which bills itself as a “design incubator,” is known for its home goods and impeccably curated vintage furniture. This wall candleholder, designed in-house, is made from leftover components of the brand’s sconces and would make good use of unused vertical space.
In case the shopping tote feels ubiquitous, these logoed Telfar socks feel status-y and functional.
Every piece from House of Aama is inspired by a piece of Black history and Black life and references a tradition or motif. This headscarf from the brand comes in an array of nude shades and is made from Dupioni silk.
A colorful, statusy beanie that’ll keep their head nice and toasty.
Brother Vellies, founded by Aurora James, is known for its fine leather goods, like handbags and shoes. The brand’s exceptionally cozy Cloud Socks — which come in 17 different colors — are equally nice and much less expensive. “They feel like leg warmers that happen to hold your feet,” says designer Batsheva Hay.
If your recipient is all set with socks, here’s something just as comfy: a pair of breezy linen boxers from Linoto that are ideal for lounging.
Along with flattering basics and bodysuits, Oma the Label sells jewelry that’s easy to imagine wearing every day, like these dainty earrings that can be worn solo or as part of a stack.
Sir Dogwood started as a community for stylish dog owners in Chicago and has since evolved into an online store. One item it carries is the Springer water bottle, which has a bowl on top to help your pet hydrate on the go.
For imaginative play, a vintage-looking ragdoll with a modern twist.
Any new parents will appreciate this book on healing by multidisciplinary artist Kenesha Sneed.
Big comes from the illustrator of Sulwe, Hair Love, and Little Leaders and follows the journey of a young girl grappling with her size in a world that doesn’t fully accept her as she is.
Preschoolers kids (and their parents) will enjoy this puzzle that features original artwork.
Amanda Seales–approved Alaffia works with cooperatives in West Africa to create its line of natural hair-, face-, and body-care products. This bubble bath is made with calming lavender and certified-organic and fair-trade unrefined “raw” shea butter to keep a new baby’s (or kid at heart’s) skin soft and moisturized.
This pepper sauce from plant-based Brooklyn café Aunts et Uncles is based on a recipe passed down through generations of the owner’s family. It packs considerable heat and a touch of sweetness to deepen the flavor of any dish.
Mumbo sauce is a D.C. classic. Its tangy, sweet flavor is unmistakable and pairs well with chicken and can be used as a marinade, sauce, or glaze.
For their pantry, toaster pastries by Ghetto Gastro, inspired by the “global flavors of the Bronx.”
Anyone with a sweet tooth (with or without food sensitivities) would appreciate a box of Partake, which are allergen-, gluten-, and dariy-free; there are ten cookie options, including classic chocolate chip, lemon, gingersnap, and holiday sprinkle.
Photo: Retailer
If they prefer lattes, this turmeric-latte blend from Golde will satisfy their cravings without feeding a crippling caffeine habit. Former Strategist intern Aisha Rickford calls it her “go-to for calming my stomach, clearing my skin, boosting my energy, and even serving as the secret ingredient in lots of my homemade baking recipes.”
A nice bottle of wine is almost always an appropriate gift. This crisp Chardonnay from Maison Noir Wines would pair well with whatever they’re ringing in.
If they’re more of a whiskey drinker, Uncle Nearest is incredibly smooth and can be sipped straight or mixed into a cocktail.
In The Black Utopians, Aaron Robertson explores attempts at Black utopia through Detroit’s Black nationalism movement in the ’60s and ’70s led by progressive preacher Albert Cleage Jr.
Percival Everett’s latest novel James reimagines Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, an escaped slave. It’s both an adventure story and an exploration of the construction of race in the antebellum South.
For Spades games, here’s a nicely designed deck of cards that features illustrated face cards.
If they already own playing cards and Uno, consider Culture Tags, which asks the group how well they know the culture by making them guess popular phrases with only acronyms.
Photo: Retailer
I’ve long admired the taste and curation of Blk Mkt Vintage, a vintage shop devoted to Black ephemera founded by Jannah and Kiyanna Handy. This coffee-table book compiles over 300 vintage pieces and interviews with Black archivists, collectors, and artists.
If your giftee is fully immersed in yeehaw culture, they’ll love this coffee-table book that celebrates modern-day Black cowboys. Author and photographer Gabriela Hasbun documents decades at the annual Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo through her photos, stories, and conversations.
You might recognize Brazilian painter Dalton Paula’s work from Afro-Atlantic Histories, a book that accompanied a joint exhibition at he São Paulo Museum of Art and the Instituto Tomie Ohtake in 2018 and features one of his portraits — a depiction of Zeferina — on the cover. Dalton Paula: Brazilian Portraits includes that painting, along with others depicting Black Brazilians.
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