Shop Black owned this Christmas with Melan Magazine’s 2020 Christmas gift guide featuring more than 20 UK-based Black owned brands.
If you want to take care of all your Christmas shopping needs in one place for the whole family, avoid busy high streets and support a Black business: this one’s for you. There’s something for everyone.
For kids
If you are looking to keep the little ones entertained this Christmas, these Black owned children-focused ideas include a beautiful collection of cultural and representative children’s books, dolls, jigsaw puzzles, educational flash cards and more! All the brands have a wide selection of culturally diverse children’s toys to choose from.
1. Our Kids Trove
This brand has a diverse collection of African inspired soft toys, dolls, puzzles, educational games and crafts. Their toys are “educational, representative, and empowering”. The founder, Pamela Djima created the online toy shop after realising the importance of children having access to culturally diverse toys.
2. Philly & Friends
A Black owned lifestyle brand with an important desire, “to see children grow up to see beauty in themselves and others, to believe they can be anything they want to be.” The lifestyle brand sells the inspirational book: Who do I see in the Mirror by Vese Aghoghovbia-Aladewolu, which teaches young girls to love their every feature and that they are more than just their appearance.
3. Sheni & Teni’s
This brand offers stimulating toys for children centred around African culture. These include books, activity books and jigsaw puzzles. Sheni & Teni is “passionate about creating an avenue for children to learn all about African cultures while playing.”
4. Muffin Sisters
Founded by sisters, Kady and Lafia, Muffin Sisters is a brand that brings traditional African fabrics merged with modern European styles to create heritage blankets, home decor, towels and more for babies, toddlers and children.
5. BOXD
A new Black, female online store that sells gift boxes which can be sent by post for tween and teen girls. The boxes have thoughtfully selected stationary, sweet treats and tech accessories for those tricky to buy for teenagers.
For You
Whilst treating your loved ones, it’s important to spoil yourself too! These Black owned beauty and fashion brands stock amazing quality cosmetics, clothing and jewellery, perfect presents for the ladies in your life, but even better as a cheeky self-care gift for yourself.
1. Boastybee
An online shoe store that sells the latest trending styles for you to treat your feet and walk into the new year with style.
2. Tèlle Moi
Stock up on Vegan nail polishes in stunning nude tints, shades and hues, created to perfection for Black women. Tèlle Moi will also be releasing two Christmas shades, perfect to impress friends and family this Christmas.
3. Nails & Brows / Beauty Edit Mayfair
Nails & Brows is London’s first luxury nail and brows boutique. After the year we’ve just had, self-care is vital, so why not treat yourself to their popular Brow Collection kit? Go one step further and book yourself in for a luxury Kure Bazaar Organic Manicure and Brow Makeover.
4. Pleasure Drum
A first in the Black-owned space, Pleasure Drum products are “guaranteed to change your life” and be your new best friend in the bedroom. Check out their female pleasure products, including their massager or vibrator, for when you need to relax after a hard day of work.
5. Nabohri
Check this gorgeous online clothes store which sells contemporary and unique African inspired clothing. Their exquisite designs are sure to impress guests this Christmas.
6. Sheer Chemistry
As step up from the obligatory socks for Christmas, Sheer Chemistry sells much needed nude tights for Black women and in their own words “the struggle is over”. A must have item for your winter wardrobe. Practical, stylish and sexy for any occasion.
For Her
Are you struggling to find just the right gift for your mum, sister(s) or wife? These Black owned beauty and fashion brands stock amazing quality cosmetics, clothing and jewellery to treat your loved one.
1. Afro Hair Skin & Co
This brand is an award winning Afro beauty and wellness business, with organic and natural products. Their nourishing products will pamper the special women in your life.
2. Omolola Jewellery
We’re long-time admirers of this gorgeous brand. Omolola Jewellery sells gold plated jewellery in the shape of Africa, as well as many other African-inspired pieces. These unique and delicate pieces are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face!
3. Chalk
You’ll be sure to find something special at Chalk, a unique business run by architect Malaika who describes her products as “unusual, geometric, wearable forms”. You’ll certainly find a bold, eye-catching gift to give this Christmas.
4. ColorBlend
This brand is a Black owned cosmetics brand that centres inclusivity and diversity. Their gorgeous glosses and pigmented foundations are packed with vitamins and other good things such as Aloe Vera for rejuvenating and replenishing purposes.
5. Knots
You can’t go wrong with stylish African head wraps hair accessories, bandanas and more for a gift! Shop for a perfect addition to any wardrobe for those bad hair days or when you want to add something stylish to your hairstyle.
For Him
Men are not often the easiest to shop for! When you do not know what to get for your hard to please husband or impossible to buy for father, these Black owned brands offer a selection of men’s grooming, clothing and footwear suitable for the most important men in our lives.
1. Mr Blackman
Check this award-winning range of men’s grooming products with inspiration coming straight from Barbados. This one-of-a-kind brand has a collaboration collection with Mount Gay Rum infused with mint and lime to banish frizz and split ends. Keep the men in your life looking fresh this Christmas.
2. Aaron Wallace
Another award-winning carefully crafted men’s grooming brand for Black men. With black seed oil and mango butter in their products, this gift will keep the men in your life looking and feeling good.
3. Everyday Froday
A Black owned clothing brand that’s all about embracing “the culture”. They stock graphic t-shirts and slogan hoodies that are guaranteed to make everyone laugh and look fresh this Christmas.
4. Marshall & Brown
Don’t sleep on Marshall & Brown, sellers of Jamaican inspired chutneys, sauces and seasonings to inspire the men in your life to cook up something with heat in the kitchen. They also sell rum cakes and rum truffles to bring you a taste of Jamaica this Christmas.
5. Aṣọ
Another long-time favourite, Aṣọ is a lifestyle brand that sells quality contemporary African inspired clothing, accessories, jewellery and more. These fashionable pieces will have your man looking runway ready.
6. TOBE
A high quality, luxury footwear label with a collection of in trend shoes for both men and women to choose from, there is something for everyone.
For friends
If you are not sure what to get your girlfriends this year, then check out the following products. From candles inspired by African heritage to beautify homes to brilliantly crafted Christmas cards.
1. Platinum Dot
A classy up and coming lifestyle brand, inspired by both African and British heritage sense of style. They sell home fragrances, diffusers and more guaranteed to have your friends’ homes smelling beautiful and looking stylish.
2. Loveyayaa
Check out Love YaaYaa to knab the perfect womenswear or accessory Christmas gift. Your friends will be obsessed with these pieces and will bring every outfit to a new level.
3. Nicola Lespeare
Another favourite, Nicola Lespeare sells the most divine collection of greeting cards with illustrations of fabulous Afros and deep skin tones. Her greeting cards have a personal touch for whenever you have a heartfelt message to send to your friends this Christmas.
4. Cinnamon & Brown
An etsy store that sells African and Caribbean inspired prints, stationery and gifts. Some can even be personalised for that extra special touch.
5. Tihara Smith
This brand has the most unique accessories, stationery and beautifully embroidered handbags. Tihara takes inspiration from the Caribbean with a London twist. Gift these bright and distinctive pieces if you want to make a friend happy this year.
6. Simply Noir
Simply Noir is an online marketplace for Black owned independent brands. Here you will find gifts for everyone, including our favourite’s; The Natural Hair Planner and the Essential Immunity Collection which are must haves this Christmas.
Our Christmas Gift Guide 2020 was compiled by Nicole Hemming
