While many big box retailers sell holiday decoration with an Afrocentric theme, most likely those items were made in China.
Sure it is nice that these stores are being more inclusive by having Black Santas or a Black angels on the shelf, but this is not the same as buying Afrocentric holiday decoration from a Black owned business.
Especially since sometimes that same retailer who puts a Black Santa on the shelf might be using the profits from your purchase to contribute to a politician who is unsupportive of Blacks. See what I mean here.
Besides the economic and social impact of buying from a Black owned business, there is another benefit. Their products will often be hand made or in available in limited quantities. So you are buying something more unique than mass produced.
Unique as in these ornaments celebrating natural textured hair by Asia Fuqua.
There are lots of Black owned businesses selling holiday gift items but the pickings are little slimmer if you are looking for holiday decorations, gift wrapping paper or greeting cards.
Here are the resources we found. If you know of someone that should be on this list, let us know and we will update it.
1 Mannequin Madness – If you want a Dress Form Christmas Tree (a favorite of fashionistas) they have several options available.
You can buy a digital tutorial for $1.99 or take their group zoom classes for $30 if you want more hands on instruction. Their design team can also custom make one for you if you live in the Bay Area.
They also sell the dress forms you will need to make your tree. (Yes, those were made in China but at least at Black owned business is benefiting from your purchase.)
2 Unwrp – they have an amazing selection of gift wrapping paper and greeting cards which have a contemporary versus religious version of Christmas.
3 The Black Art Depot – everything from a Black Jesus, Black Nativity scene, Black Santa even Black Mrs. Claus can be found from this Black owned business based in Georgia.
4 ShopEverythingKente.com – carries a tiny selection of gift bags and
wrapping paper in a kente cloth pattern. Soon they will have kente cloth patterned ornaments.
5 Zazzle – is an online marketplace that allows designers to create their own products with independent manufacturers. They have this entire section devoted to craft supplies by African Americans. Like this gift wrapping paper in the likeness of Barack Obama.
6 African-American Expressions – has a wide selection of greeting cards.
7 This link on Etsy has list of multiple Black vendors who sell Christmas themed items. For example
these quarantined themed ornaments by SantaElvesWorkshop that you can have personalized with names of your family members.
8 There is a Facebook group called Black Women who Love Holiday Decorating and frequently you can people selling one of a kind items. Like this Black nutcracker holding a Black Lives Matter flag sold by Mahogany Howell.
9 And the Facebook group A Black Woman Made That also periodically has posts with resources for Black oriented holiday decorations.
For example these canvases for making a Diva Wreath by
When you discover a Black owned company selling holiday decor, spread the word and send us the link so we can help promote them.
