Ahhhhh, yes.
Do you smell chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Can you feel Jack Frost nipping at your nose? Now that those pesky Thanksgiving leftovers are dead and gone, we can finally move on with our lives and spread a little holiday cheer by splurging on our loved ones—then go right back to ignoring them until Easter.
If you already spent all your rent money on Black Friday, then congratulations! You’re ahead of the game. But if you need some suggestions on how to run up your credit card what to get for all of the amazing people in your life, we’re here to help. FICO score be damned.
And because this is The Root, of course, there are plenty of Black-owned options to choose from—with tidings of comfort and joy.
Robert Graham – Star Trek Splash T-Shirt
You don’t have to be a Trekkie to love the Star Trek Splash T-shirt from Robert Graham. It’s one piece from Star Trek x RG, a colorful collection of long-sleeved button-downs and t-shirts featuring Star Trek artwork and imagery that is out of this world.
Mama Necklace
When you’re doing your Christmas shopping, you already know you can’t forget mama. Show her some love with this gold necklace from Admiral Row, a black-owned business based in Atlanta.
Notorious B.I.G. Reaction Figure
No one does dope culture collectibles like Super 7. And this Notorious B.I.G. Reaction Figure inspired by the Ready to Die album cover has got to be one of the dopest so far. It is the stocking stuffer for the ‘90s hip-hop lover in your life.
Bald Is Beautiful Sweatshirt
Give the gift of Black girl magic to someone you love with this unisex Bald is Beautiful sweatshirt that captures Anthony Barboza’s iconic photo of Pat Evans, the first bald model to appear in a major magazine in 1970.
The Mariah Carey Holiday Collection 2022
Y’all already know we can’t sip eggnog or talk about Christmas without crowning the queen herself: the incomparable Mariah Carey. And while the high notes in her legendary five-octave vocal range are readily available for free, unfortunately, the rest of her 2022 holiday collection is not. Thankfully, from zip-up hoodies to MC logo socks to even refrigerator magnets, nothing in her collection will break your pockets in half. So if Mimi is your ministry, check out her collection and prepare accordingly for your anointing.
Nuzzie
Nas might mistake sleep for the cousin of death, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t appreciate a good nap. Plus, if you’re gonna nod off in the middle of your kid’s school recital anyway, you might as well take a Nuzzie with you. That way this weighted blanket can help alleviate your anxiety and improve your quality of sleep. We’re only here to help.
Patrón El Alto Tequila
If Jesus can turn water into wine, then Patrón deserves just as much praise for turning Weber Blue Agave into the nectar of the gods. This high-end bottle of orgasmic bliss prides itself on being “the pinnacle of prestige,” and with luminaries like Missy Elliot and super producer Hit-Boy co-signing it, you’d be a fool and a half not to partake. Pour up a glass and thank us later on Christmas morning.
Actively Black’s Wakanda Forever Athletics Collection
New Year’s Resolutions are imminent, which means most of us will be kicking off 2023 by gasping for air in the gym. So if you’re gonna fight for your life on the treadmill anyway, at least look good doing it—and Actively Black is here to help. Black-owned premium athleisure and sports apparel is their area of expertise, and their Wakanda Forever Athletics Collection might not make you feel like Okoye or Killmonger, but with a little consistency in the gym, it will definitely help you look the part.
Samsonite’s C-Lite x Jean-Michel Basquiat Carry-On Spinner
Well, isn’t this a beauty? If you’re one of those people who’d rather catch flights instead of feelings, Samsonite has given its popular C-Lite luggage series the type of 2.0 upgrade your ex is still in dire need of. By incorporating the work of iconic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, you can travel in style with a carry-on that not only looks sexy as hell but includes features like a 3-digit combo lock and an external integrated USB port. Just don’t miss your flight.
Lumina 4K Web Cam
Thanks to COVID-19, our lives are far more reliant upon technology (and Uber Eats) than ever before. So with so many of our personal and professional interactions taking place online, via platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, why not look your best from the comfort of your own home? And we don’t mean making sure your makeup is on point or hitting up the barbershop, we mean using a dope-ass 4k web camera so you always look like the superstar you are—in person or otherwise. Trust us: this is worth the investment.
Thirteen Lune’s Ultimate Discovery Kit
First impressions are kind of a big deal, and Thirteen Lune is kind enough to assemble a kit of curated products from both POC-owned companies and their unproblematic counterparts. This celebration of beauty, which includes selections like the Buttah Charcoal Mask and Holy Curls Gel, not only provides the perfect introduction to an assortment of inclusive skincare items, but also will get you about $300 worth of in-demand products for the low, low price of $98. You’re welcome in advance.
Grant Stone Boots
Do you love a great quality boot? Of course, you do! Because you’re not a heathen! While Grant Stone unquestionably makes some of the dopest boots on the market, we’re particularly fond of the Edward Boot Color #8 Chromexcel, which, after purchasing, not only makes you the envy of your peers but automatically grants you entry into Heaven. So treat yourself to a pair and tell Bernie Mac we said, “Hi”.
JBL’s Boombox 3
Your pool Christmas party or cookout is woefully incomplete without JBL’s Boombox 3 in attendance. Also, if you live to piss off your neighbors as much as we do, you’ve gotta have the right equipment for the job. Boasting 24 hours of play time and enough bass to make your windows do the Harlem Shake, this massive wireless speaker belongs under every Christmas tree on planet Earth. Unless, of course, you’re a Grinch who hates when music actually sounds good.
Hennessy X.O. Holiday Gift Set
Well, hello, old friend.
Since the holidays are the perfect time to fellowship with friends and family, why not indulge in the cognac that was intended to be enjoyed amongst the same people? Whether you like yours neat or on the rocks, the Hennessy X.O. Holiday Gift Set is a much better alternative than drinking all that tired-ass egg nog. Ask us how we know.
MadeMan Re(Set) Collection
There are nasty rumors going around that men don’t know how to take care of their skin—and they don’t. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Now that we’re back outside in this post-COVID world, we’re gonna need all the brothas out there to stop washing their faces with dish soap and water and actually enter a long-term relationship with a face cleanser. And because this is a new phenomenon for so many of you, MadeMan has made it even easier with their Re(Set) Collection, which simplifies this process by combining their Refresher—an all-in-one moisturizer—and Resetter—a two-in-one shave gel and face wash—into a two-step skincare routine. We can’t wait to see the new you.
Phillip Ashley Chocolates’ Taste of Wakanda
We have no idea what a “designer chocolatier” is, but apparently, Chef Phillip Ashley Rix is the mastermind behind the Black-owned, Memphis-based Phillip Ashley Chocolates and its “wildly imaginative” creations. Take for instance the Taste of Wakanda, which includes flavors like African Masala Chai Tea, Mango Habañero, and BlackBerry Molasses. And if a visit to Wakanda isn’t your thing, thankfully, Phillip Ashley has plenty of other options, like Soul Food, 12 Days of Christmas, or the always mysterious Mystery Box. But regardless of which one you decide on, these designer chocolates will definitely help you spread some yuletide cheer—and deliciousness.
Nerdy Tec’s Couchmaster
In today’s edition of “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” we have the Couchmaster, which will completely transform your life. Whether you’re a gamer who spends one too many weekends without sunlight or a remote employee who works from home in order to avoid your annoying-ass boss, this will provide you with the perfect means to do your thing on the couch with the ultimate in comfort and control. It includes a ventilation grill to keep your laptop from burning a hole in your crotch, as well side bags for your power supply, remotes and accessories, a repositionable mouse pocket, and a tablet holder. Basically, it’s the shit. So snatch this up post haste.
Bushwick Kitchen’s Trees Knees Maple Gift Set
By a show of hands, who loves food? Thankfully, Bushwick Kitchen does too. So much so that if you have some cornbread, roasted veggies, bacon, or anything else that could use a little love (translation: flavor), their Threes Knees Maple Gift Set with Cinnamon will deliver a timely anointing. And if your wife’s terrible cooking needs a little extra kick, they also have a Three Knees Spicy Gift Set to save your tastebuds from eternal damnation. We’re only here to help.
The Guilty Grape’s Decanter & Amber Diamond Wine Glass Set
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we’re sick and tired of drinking out of red cups every time we come to your crib. (Look, somebody had to say it.) So instead of continuing to embarrass our ancestors, why don’t you scoop up The Guilty Grape’s Decanter & Amber Diamond Wine Glass Set because a) it’s Black-owned and b) it’s a really, really dope decanter and set of glasses. Now, please throw away those red cups. Please?
COCOTIQUE Beauty Box 3-Month Subscription Plan
Whether it’s for the person in your life or yourself, you can never go wrong with receiving five-to-eight expertly curated beauty, self-care, and lifestyle products every month at your doorstep—especially if you or that special someone has textured hair. I’d be even nicer if they dropped off a bacon cheeseburger or some pho too, but in the spirit of the holidays, let’s stay grateful for what we have. But anyway, the COCOTIQUE Beauty Box 3-Month Subscription Plan will do all the work for you to keep you or your loved one looking blessed and unstressed. So scoop this up and go forth and live your best life. You deserve.
MicroPerfumes
If you want to smell good but aren’t quite ready to commit to a specific cologne or perfume, MicroPerfumes prides itself on being an “innovative one-stop shop for travel-sized high-end fragrances.” And with its collection of affordable gift sets that include familiar brands like Libre Intense by Yves Saint Laurent, Her by Burberry, and Eros Flame by Versace, this is the perfect gift for that special someone in your life whether their at work or getting ready for a night out on the town.
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