Whether you’re getting a head start on Christmas shopping, or you have a family/friend with a birthday in winter, consider getting your gifts from Black-owned businesses this year. We looked through our directory of Black-owned businesses (you can see the full list here) to find gifts for every type of person on your list. From cousins you struggle to buy for every year to your new boyfriend’s family, we found a trove of giftable products, all made by Black artists or sold by Black businesses.
For the mum who misses her mug in the office
We already love Avila Chidume’s line of greeting cards, but this sunny mug would make a perfect gift, too.
For the cousin who works from bed
A set of sheets she wouldn’t mind being glimpsed on Zoom, by London-based Bespoke Binny. [Editor’s note: These are made-to-order, so if your favourite design is sold out it’s worth getting in touch.]
For the aunt who has trouble switching off
Lavender candles — like this hand-poured one from Aysha Bell — will soothe any stresses. This burns for 45 hours, perfect for even the most tightly wound aunt.
For the uncle who has trouble switching off (but loves a project)
Maybe a candle he made himself would bring him more satisfaction.
For the boyfriend (who is also a plant dad)
Leafy ferns and spiky aloes alike would look nice in this geometric concrete planter.
For the brother of your boyfriend (who can’t even keep cacti alive)
Dalston-based plant haven Prick have gifts for even the least green-fingered, like this pen.
For the nephew who just got his own place
For the colleague who is feeling kind of frazzled
A (decidedly grown-up) colouring book will help.
For the housemate who is a frontline worker
This customisable gift box features a candle, a nourishing shea butter, a pouch of drinking chocolate, and some cosy Angora wool socks, so you can choose scents or flavours you know she likes.
For the daughter who spends 8 hours a day on Zoom calls
This smart brooch from Chalk — a jewelry brand founded by architect and designer Malaika Carr — would jazz up her WFH outfits.
For the sister who pierced everyone’s ears in year 8
Kalkidan Legesse’s ethically conscious shop Sancho’s sells all manner of nice earrings. We like these hammered brass hoops by Yala Jewellery, which are made just outside Nairobi.
For the girlfriend who leaves a trail of bobby pins in her wake
Designed for mixing powdered masks in before applying to the face, this treatment bowl (made in collaboration between The Afro Hair & Skin Company and ceramicist Carla Wright) could also be a nice place to stash trinkets.
For the father-in-law who perfected his Mai-Tai during lockdown
Try gifting a golden rum for something a bit different. This award-winning one — it won a silver medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (2017) — comes from Livingston, West Lothian.
For the godson whose parents have a ‘wooden toys only’ policy
These educational puzzles came recommended to us by Nina Malone, founder of the Dope Black Mums podcast, and can also be gift-wrapped.
For the brother-in-law who just became a dad
This tasteful bunting would be nice in a nursery, and can be customised with up to seven letters on it, too.
For the niece who wears her hair natural
For the best friend who hasn’t been clean-shaven since 2007
By Aaron Wallace’s mango and blackseed hair and beard moisturiser is specifically designed to cater for Afro hair, which is highly prone to water loss (which increases the chance of breakage). It also comes in a highly giftable navy bottle.
For the best friend who has a lipstick for every occasion (even in lockdown)
Get her a set of the handmade, highly pigmented (and cruelty-free) lipsticks from MDM FLOW — created by cosmetic scientist Florence Adepoju. This set includes the brand’s signature red, plus vermillion and burgundy shades.
For the mother-in-law who does her Christmas shopping in August
For the younger cousin who has seen Moonlight at least a hundred times
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.