Kwanzaa gifts: 35 meaningful ideas rooted in the holiday's traditions

The short answer: kwanzaa gifts, called zawadi, are meant to be meaningful rather than expensive: traditionally made or grown, given mainly to children for commitments made and kept.

• Every gift should include a book and a heritage symbol
• Handmade: a recipe binder or a knit scarf
• Grown: potted herbs or homemade jam
• 35 ideas by type and the Seven Principles
• Next step: Plan it with the Family Recipe Binder ($6.99).

Kwanzaa gifts, called zawadi, are meant to be meaningful rather than expensive. Traditionally they are made or grown, they go mainly to children, and they are given for commitments made and kept. Dr. Maulana Karenga, who created Kwanzaa, says every Kwanzaa gift should include two things: a book and a heritage symbol. Below are 35 ideas that honor those traditions, sorted by type and by the Seven Principles, with simple ways to keep giving modest.

I've always loved giving gifts that carry a story, like a handwritten card someone keeps for years. Kwanzaa's approach to gifts is built around exactly that kind of meaning.

What zawadi means in Kwanzaa

Zawadi (gifts) is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa. The Official Kwanzaa Website describes the gifts as "symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children."

In his column on gift-giving during Kwanzaa, Karenga lays out the guidelines:

• Children are the main recipients.
• Gifts are given on the basis of commitments made and kept, such as goals for school, home or community.
• Gifts should not be mandatory or excessive.
• Buy after Christmas, to take advantage of after-Christmas sales.
• Every gift includes a book and a heritage symbol, whatever else is given.
• Gifts are never a substitute for a parent's love, attention and involvement.

Kwanzaa runs from December 26 to January 1, so there's time to shop the after-Christmas sales.

Kwanzaa gift ideas at a glance

Books (the gift every Kwanzaa includes)

Karenga explains that the book reflects a commitment to education. Ideas:

1. A children's picture book about Kwanzaa and the Seven Principles
2. An African American history book for teens or adults
3. A biography of a Black leader, scientist, artist or athlete
4. Poetry by Black poets
5. A cookbook celebrating African, Caribbean or Southern food traditions
6. A blank journal paired with a book, for writing goals for the new year

Heritage symbols

A heritage symbol keeps the receiver connected to history and culture. Karenga mentions African art objects and pictures of heroes and heroines of African and African American history.

7. An African art print or small sculpture
8. A framed picture of a hero or heroine, such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Mary McLeod Bethune or W.E.B. Du Bois
9. A kente-pattern bookmark, scarf or wall hanging
10. A Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) poster for a child's room
11. A hand-carved kinara for a family starting its own celebration
12. A family tree poster filled in together

Handmade Kwanzaa gifts

Traditionally, gifts were made or grown, which makes handmade gifts a natural fit.

13. A family recipe binder filled with the dishes your family makes for the karamu feast
14. A knit or crocheted scarf in black, red and green, the colors of the Kwanzaa flag
15. Homemade baked goods, like sweet potato bread or benne wafers
16. A hand-painted mkeka (mat) or place mats for the Kwanzaa table
17. A handmade card with a note naming the commitment the child kept
18. A photo album of the past year
19. Beaded jewelry made together
20. A recorded family story from a grandparent

Grown gifts

21. Potted herbs like basil or thyme
22. Seed packets with a note about growing something new in the new year
23. Jam or preserves from garden fruit
24. A small fruit basket, echoing the mazao (crops) symbol
25. A starter plant cut from a family plant

Kwanzaa gifts by the Seven Principles

The Seven Principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Matching a gift to a principle gives it a clear meaning.

Experience gifts

33. A museum visit, especially a museum of African American history and culture
34. A cooking lesson where a grandparent teaches a family dish
35. A family history day to fill in the family tree and record stories

How to keep Kwanzaa gift-giving modest

• Set a small budget per child and stick to it.
• Buy after December 25 to catch post-Christmas prices, as Karenga suggests.
• Make, grow or bake what you can.
• Write down each child's commitment next to the gift so the meaning stays front and center.
• If you celebrate Christmas too, plan both holidays in one budget so December spending doesn't stack up.

Make a family recipe binder to give

Food and family are at the heart of the karamu feast. The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) is a 23-page printable in US Letter and A4, with section dividers including Holidays and Family Favorites, recipe page layouts with room for the story behind each dish, and 4x6 recipe cards. Fill it in by hand or type into the fillable version, then print and give it as a handmade gift.

Plan holiday gifts on one page

If your family celebrates more than one holiday, keep every gift in one plan. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has a holiday budget page, a gift list with a spending limit for each person and an online order tracker, plus a spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets. Or start with the free Holiday Budget Starter Kit, three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.

Get the whole season organized

The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99, $25.94 if bought separately) includes the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, Sinking Funds Tracker, Meal Planner & Grocery List, 100 Envelope Savings Challenge, Bill Tracker Printable and Cleaning Schedule. Browse all holiday planners.

See also

• Hanukkah gift ideas
• Homemade Christmas gifts
• Consumable gift ideas
• Holiday budget

Setting up for the week? Our guide to Kwanzaa decorations explains the seven symbols and how to arrange the table.

New to the holiday? Start with what is Kwanzaa, which explains the seven principles and symbols.