While Melanin in YA continues to prepare for the official launch, here’s a quick guide to holiday gift buying including 50 items under $50 from Black owned businesses/creators (plus one item that is currently sold out but too cool to leave off the list). Among the list are three books you may have missed when COVID took the nation by storm, candles to create the perfect environment while you read, cozy sweaters and more.
*Melanin in YA recommends shopping as early as possible from small businesses to allow them the time that they need to process orders during the holiday season due to COVID-19 delays. We also recommend paying for expedited shipping if you order on or after Black Friday if this is an option.
Mugs
Black Books Matter Mug – $14.95 – Mahogany Books
Black Girl Magic Metallic Gold Travel Mug – $22 – Effie’s Paper
Issa Rae Mug – $12.95 – The Schomburg Shop
It’s The Books For Me Mug – $16 – BLKNBKISH
Support Black Authors Rainbow Mug – $15 – Support Black Authors
T-Shirts
*PRIDE: Fist of Solidarity T-shirt – $25 – Malaika Apparel *SOLD OUT
We All Belong Grey Organic Tee – $24 – Brave and Kind Bookstore
Sweaters/Hoodies
Reading Is Freedom Hoodie – $45 – Shelves Bookstore
Well Read Jawn Crew Sweater – $37-$49 – Harriett’s Bookshop
Well Read Pullover Hoodie – $36 – BLKNBKISH
Hats
Black is Beautiful Hat – $30 – My Pride Apparel
They I Them Snapback – $35 – Stuzo Clothing
Headwraps
Anah Head Wrap – $22 – Wrap Life
Bahari – $28 – Fanm Djanm
Stretch Satin Head Wrap – $21.99 – Melanin Haircare
Tote Bags
Be Brave Be Kind Canvas Tote Regular – $12.99 – Brave and Kind Bookstore
Black Books Matter Tote – $15 – Mahogany Books
Bookworm Cotton Tote Bag – $20 – Turning Page
Knowledge Is Power By Edwin Tha Artist – $28.00 – AfriWare Bookstore
Semicolon Tote – $15 – Semicolon
Candles
Amber Noir (4 oz) – $8 – Aryn Terry
Love – $45 – The Black Home
Wash Day (7 oz) – $24 – Cavo
Zulu (8 oz) – $23 – Treble and Flame
Funko Pop!
Shuri (Black Panther) $11
Game Board
Black Wall Street Game Board – $50 – The Key Bookstore
Shower Curtains
Soul on Fire – $30 – Malik Books
Somalian Queen Shower Curtain – $49 – Melanin Inc
Bath
Deep Detox Bath Soak (8 oz) – $ 23 – Goodnight Darling Co
Face Masks
Charcoal Detox Mask – $24 – Buttah Skin
Kente Cloth Face Mask – $10 – Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum
Face Mask + Matching Headwrap by Dawning Day Creations – $39.99 – AfriWare Bookstore
Not Now I’m Reading Cloth Face Mask – $14.99 – BLKNBKISH
Coffee/Tea
Chamomile Loose Leaf Tea – $11 – INI Sips
Rise & GRND Coffee Blend, Medium Roast – $14 – BLK & Bold
Tea Gift Box – $34.99 – Brooklyn Tea
Eats
Sampler Collection – $25 – Maya’s Cookies (Vegan)
Mini Sweet Potato Pie Variety (Original, Rum Rum, Pecan, Pineapple) – $32 – Beloved’s Sweets
Coasters
Black Hair No. 4 Coaster – $15 – Domonique Brown
Black Hair No. 7 Coaster – $15 – Domonique Brown
For Brown Girls Collection Collage Coaster – $15 – Shaylin Wallace
Magnet
Sonia Sanchez Magnet – $4.95 – The Schomburg Shop
Stickers
Book Nerd Die Cut Sticker – $8 – BLKNBKISH
Bookmarks
“Inspire The Tribe” Bookmarks – $4 – Mocha Books
Notepad
To-Do Today Notepad – $13.50 – HOME by BE
Notebook
Large Goal Getter Notebook (8.5×11) – $14 – Copper and Brass
Journal
Black Women Read Pop Art Journal – $25 – The Trini Gee
Throw Pillow
Black & Bookish Indoor Pillow – $27 – BLKNBKISH
Books
A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope Edited by Patrice Caldwell
The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk
Be sure to drop Melanin in YA an email about what you think of this first iteration of this holiday list so that Melanin in YA knows what else to list for next year! In the meantime, let the 2020 holiday season begin!
Happy Holidays!