
Melanin in YA had so much fun putting together a holiday guide last year that we’re back for another round! This quick Black bookish holiday gift guide includes 50 items under $60 from Black owned businesses/creators, including ten YA books by Black authors released this year (written 5 debut authors and 5 established YA authors) that we think you should gift this year. From Peach Cobbler flavored Cotton Candy that ships nationwide to Africa shaped coasters and a few discount codes just for Melanin in YA readers, we’ve got you covered!
Also, be sure to follow Melanin in YA on Twitter and Instagram where every December, we do a U.S. only giveaway everyday of the month! Woo!
Let’s get right to it!
*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 supply chain shortage and shipping delays caused by COVID-19. We also recommend paying for expedited shipping if you order on or after Black Friday if this is an option.

Gift Wrap
Snow Days Off Gift Bag Set – $15 – Black Paper Party
Aunt Holly Wreaths w/ Metallic Ink Gift Wrap – $18.88 – Black Paper Party
Nutcrackers Gift Tags – $3 – Copper & Brass
Cozy Winter Wishes Holiday Card – $5 – Graphic Anthology
Happy Kwanzaa Card – $4.50 – Neighborly Paper
Kwanzaa Greeting Card Bundle – $6.99 – YayDay Paper Co.

Mugs
Unbossed Unbought Unbothered – Life Quotes – Shirley Chisholm Coffee Mug – $17.99 – By Brije
Book Stack Coffee Mug – $25 – Dreaming of Celie

Apparel & Accessories
Unisex Read…Read…Write Shirt – $25 – Baldwin & Co.
Vintage I Closed My Book Crop Hoodie – $37.95 – DiversaTea Reads
1619 Beanie – $15 – Esquire EMB
Satin Face Mask + Protector – $8 – Undefined
We Are Harriett Hoodie – $30 – Girl Trek

Bags
1954 The Headlines Messenger Bag – $55.95 – 1954 by BD
This Bag Holds My Shit Together – $10 – Paisley Paper Co.
Curly Reader Tote Bag – $30 – The Trini Gee

Candles & More
Lavender Reed Diffuser – $20 – Blue Sage Boutique
Non-toxic Room / Linen Spray – $12 – Candles by Kira
Ellington Luxury Candle – $45 – Harlem Candle Co.
Perry Boyce Large Candle $24 – Peace and Riot
Smells Like a YA Novel Candle – $33 – XOXO, Sierra – DISCOUNT CODE: Use the code MELANIN at checkout for 15% Off Your Order For One Order Per Customer!

Self Care
Make It Matte SPF 45 Sunscreen – $21.99 – Black Girl Sunscreen
Bamboo Bath Tray – $50 – Macklin Bath & Home
Moringa Mask – $24 – True Moringa
Calming Blend Bath Salts – $18 – The Wellness Apothecary

Eats, Drinks, & More
Pure Matcha – $28 – Golde
Gourmet Cotton Candy – $7.50 – Ivory Cotton Bar
The Classic Holiday Collection – $50 – Maya’s Cookies

Coasters
RainbowFunk Coaster – $16.99 – Jasmine J. Grant
Mahogany Coasters – $30 – Rain Sky Home

Bookmarks
Bookish Bookmark -$3 – Eboni is Moon
Black Bird Pop-Out Bookmark – $10 – Laurie Makes – DISCOUNT CODE: Use the code MELANIN10 at checkout for 10% Off Your Order From November 15 – December 15, 2021!
The Seconds The Witch’s Bookshelf Woodmark – $4.99 – The Seasonal Pages

Journals/Notebooks
Intention Journal – $20 – Aya Paper Co.
Cornell Notes Notebook – $13.90 – Cloth & Paper
Twill Blend Notebook – $10 – Paper & Stylo
The Guided Clarity Journal – $29.95 – Please Notes
My Story Will Change the World Notebook – $20 – XOXO, Sierra – DISCOUNT CODE: Use the code MELANIN at checkout for 15% Off Your Order For One Order Per Customer!
Miscellaneous
2022 Special Edition Monthly Calendar – $11 and $14 – Addie Rawr (Shop Temporarily Closed)
Brave. Black. First. 100 Postcards Celebrating More Than 50 African American Women Who Changed the World – $20 – Black Pearl Books
Books
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron (Contemporary Fantasy, Retelling)
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant (Romantic Comedy)
Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson (Sci-fi)
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson (Horror)
We Are Not Broken by George M. Johnson (Memoir)
Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis (Fantasy)
(Me) Moth by Amber McBride (A Novel in Verse)
Nubia: Real One by L. L. McKinney (Graphic Novel)
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow (Historical Fiction, Retelling)
Like Home by Louisa Onomé (Contemporary)
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