This Is Your Last-Minute, Get-It-There-in-Time Gift Guide—Let’s Go!

You did it again, didn’t you? We gave you ample warning, gift guides, and even Cyber Weekend deals, but for the umpteenth year in a row, you waited until the absolute last possible minute to even start thinking about holiday shopping—and now, your options are woefully limited.

Or are they?

Lucky for you, The Root loves our faithful readers like family, so despite your persistent procrastination, we got you, fam—with something Black-owned or founded for everyone on your list, at every price point. From big box finds to small shops serving expedited shipping, these curated selections are the gifts we’d love to find in our stockings this year (hint, hint—because don’t say we never gave you anything).

Enough chit-chat, Kids. Let’s get to it, so you can do it. (And the clock on shipping is running out quickly, so seriously—do it.)

For the Shining Stars

The ever-glam Kerry Washington debuted three collections in collaboration with jewelry brand Aurate this season, featuring a range of delicate gold styles timeless enough for every day. (And with Kerry’s mother making a sweet cameo in the campaign, we also consider this collection matriarch-approved.)

What’s even better? While the Aurate x Kerry Washington collection is high-end in quality, its price point is significantly lower than most other jewelers ($90-$580)—though you’ll have to splurge on 2-day shipping to get it there in time. But isn’t she worth it?

For the Iron Chefs

Want to give a gift that will make them happy and help them eat better? We’re drooling over culinary collective Ghetto Gastro’s CRUXGG collection at Target. The hero item? The crew’s Extra Large Ceramic Nonstick Searing Grill & Griddle ($84 on sale), which will help your grillmaster get their perfect sear on no matter how cold it gets outside.

In case you’re wondering, yes, there’s a more compact version ($70); and there are even air fryers ($70-$119) and a waffle maker ($35) among CRUXGG’s sleekly designed goodies. All come in two colorways—and all are currently 30 percent off!

For the Perfectly Polished

We’re big fans of vegan, cruelty-free and 10-free nail brand Pear Nova, which will keep any hands polished to perfection, even if they’re still steering clear of the salon (because pandemic). In fact, we can’t think of a more welcome stocking stuffer than the brand’s luxe Holiday Essentials set ($70 on sale), which includes four curated classic shades (in a variety of finishes), plus a fast-dry top coat and cuticle oil. All come nestled in a gift box befitting the set’s Oprah-approved spot on her 2020 Favorite Things list.

For the Gentlemen

He’s a very good man; how about honoring the quiet hero in your world with some high-quality, down-to-earth basics from Russell Wilson’s Good Man Brand? While the label’s offerings range from shoes to hoodies, we’re personally fans of the brand’s Legend Slub Long Sleeve Henley T-Shirt (also available in a Slim Fit Henley style; both $98 at Nordstrom). It’s the type of luxe-level basic he’d likely never splurge on for himself, but will want to wear every day.

For the Academics

They’ve got some learning to do—but is HBCU love on their syllabus? Remind them it’s a different world from where they’re coming from with a CXC x HBCU Hoodie created by iconic legacy brand Cross Colours ($52.80 on sale). The cozy all-cotton hoodie pays tribute to the long and rich history of higher learning granted us by HBCUs—but while the throwback look may seem made for coeds, us old-heads will likely want to rock it, too, just for nostalgia’s sake. This and more looks from Cross Colours are available at Nordstrom, which is promising delivery before Christmas.

For the Homebodies

Who says you can’t travel without leaving home? Sure we’ve been primarily indoors for two years in a row, but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring one of the world’s most famous neighborhoods to us. Nestled in the heart of New York’s Black American mecca, The Studio Museum of Harlem’s Harlem at Home Set ($100) brings a bit of the historic hood’s magic home. The three-piece set includes the museum’s harlemworld: Metropolis as Metaphor, a 1000-piece puzzle of Romare Bearden’s “Uptown at Minton’s” and Harlem Candle Co.’s “Savoy” luxury candle, featuring a 22k Gold Nightclub Map of Harlem. Heads up: All national orders must be placed by today, December 17 to ensure delivery by Christmas Day—but New Yorkers can procrastinate until December 20.

For the Littles

We love a gift that also gives the gift of knowledge, and the Brown Toy Box ($30 each at Target) is the kind of fun that fuels young minds. Available in six variations, these STEAM-themed boxes expose little ones to Astronomy, Chemistry, Coding & App Development, Marine Biology, Museum Arts and Robotics, giving them them an early start on tools that’ll help them do better in school. How’s that for a gift that keeps on giving?

For the Even Littler Ones

Frankly, almost nothing grows faster than kids, so how about a gift that they can grow up with? From the nursery through their teen years, you can reinforce the message that their lives matter with a “You Matter” Throw Pillow by Christian Robinson x Target ($15). And hey, who are we kidding? This will likely make a great gift for a few worthy adults on your list, too.

 

For the Adventurers

If they’ve got constant wanderlust and a longing to go with the flow (or just happen to be an adventure-loving teen), help them catch a little-known wave of Black history with The Studio Museum’s Mami Wata AFROSURF Gift Set ($100). Compiled by Cape Town-based South African surf tourism company Mami Wata, AFROSURF “is the first book to capture and celebrate the surfing culture of Africa,” with 100 percent of the company’s proceeds going to African surf therapy organizations Waves for Change and Surfers Not Street Children. Included in the multi-piece set are the 320-page AFROSURF book, a Rose Street 2.0 tee and Mami Wata sticker set. Order by Friday, December 17 for delivery by Christmas.

For the Well-Groomed

His beard is his bond—how about giving it a little extra love this holiday season? Scotch Porter’s products have a well-earned rep among #BeardGang (their skin products are pretty stellar, too). The brand’s Immunity Boost Beard Health Kit ($23 at Target) is a three-part, all-in-one Beard Health Kit that supports both a healthy immune system and promotes healthy beard growth, providing “a daily dose of beard, skin and nail wellness” with each 30-day supply. Want to treat his beard to some extra care? The Root’s #BeardGang Bureau President Jay Connor has officially endorsed the brand’s Nourishing Beard Mask, available to sample in Scotch Porter’s trial size Beard Essentials Gift Set ($12 at Target).

For the Face-Painters

If they love making faces, they’ll love the gorgeous array of goodies in Juvia’s Place Holiday Bundle ($70 at $140 value). The highly pigmented cosmetics brand has curated some of their most popular products for the makeup maven in your life, generously bundled to “sleigh all day!”

What’s inside? A Luxe Lip Liner in Wine; Nude Glosses in Kiss Me and Barely There; The Masquerade Mini, The Warrior 3, The Taupes and The Nubian 2 eyeshadow palettes; and Wahala Mini Nude Gloss in Petty Betty and Mini Liquid Lipstick in Shakara. Just make sure to order by December 21 for orders to arrive by Christmas Eve.

For the Spicy Ones

They’re full of flavor, so why not give them even more spice with The Studio Museum of Harlem’s Kitchen Essentials Set ($100)? This “premium, fancy and delicious” set includes drag queen Shaquanda’s versatile Hot Pepper and Spicier Smoke hot pepper sauces, bundled alongside Bryant Terry’s Black Food cookbook and an apron from Royal Jelly Harlem available in one of three delectable Dutch wax prints. Sounds tasty to us.

For the Smooth Ones

Who doesn’t love a glorious glow-up? Dorion Renaud crafted his nutrient-rich skincare brand for melanin rich skin, to make our complexions feel like, well, buttah. This organic and all natural three-piece set ($60) includes the brand’s Facial Shea Butter (2 oz.), Vitamin C Serum (1 oz.), and Facial Cleanser (3.4 oz.)—and it’s a great gift for all genders.

For the Audiophiles

For a gift that sounds as good as it looks, the Master & Dynamic MW07 Temi Coker Wireless Earphones ($249 at The Studio Museum of Harlem) The second generation of the brand’s original MW07, “the signature handcrafted acetate body and stainless steel case are infused with updated technical features and maintain our signature brilliant sound,”—with Active Noise-Canceling and 40 hours total playtime. Cop these by Friday, December 17 to get them on their ears by Christmas.

For the Lovers

They’re a match made in heaven, so level up their couple’s style with the R&C fragrance duo created by power couple Russell and Ciara Wilson ($90 at Nordstrom). Boasting two scents made for mixing, matching and sharing, the eau de parfums are housed in sexily entwined magnetic bottles; Russell’s is “woody and aromatic” while Ciara’s has floral notes. Most importantly, they’re made for each other.

For the Social Butterflies

Our gatherings may not look like they used to, but it doesn’t mean we can’t still have some communal fun. Launched by the creators of Because of Them We Can, Culture Tags ($24.08 at Target) has a well-earned rep for getting the party started, providing some multigenerational, Black Twitter-fueled fun for any holiday gathering...even if just for their very nearest and dearest this year.

For the Eco-Conscious

Don’t sleep on a gift card—they’ll get exactly what they want. And if what they want are products that both perform well and do well for Earth and the Earthlings on it, BLK + GRN is the ideal destination. Not sure what to buy them at this expansive eco-friendly emporium? Gift cards are available up to $100—and are instantly deliverable.

For the Tastemakers

Just because they can’t entertain a crowd doesn’t mean they don’t still want to set a stunning table. Created to be coveted, the color-saturated silhouettes of Estelle Colored Glass (items from $40 and up) are grown and sexy glassware any tastemaker will enjoy. Not sure which of the company’s wide array of hues to gift? Hit them with a gift card (available up to $400). But if you want these colored confections to make it by Christmas, select Expedited Shipping or Overnight Shipping at checkout.

For the Booked and Busy

She needs a reminder to slow down for a moment of self-care—and Cocotique’s subscription boxes are the much-needed remedy. Each box is filled to the brim with self-care, wellness and lifestyle products curated especially for women of color—and with a monthly subscription, she’ll want to make time to take a time out. It’s a gift so thoughtful, she’ll never suspect how long you waited to start shopping.

For the Artfully Adorned

If you’ve got a bougie bohemian in your life (trust us, it’s a thing—ask us how we know), you seriously upgrade their loc, braid or twist game with luxury Loc Bands by Afra ($80 for a single up to $340 for a 4-piece set at Saks Fifth Avenue). These sustainable, handcrafted brass beauties come in a variety of sleek silhouettes, and will be an stylish yet subtle adornment they’ll treasure for years to come.

For the Teenage Dreams

If you’re really in a bind for multiple gifts, keep in mind that there’s a Izzy & Liv box for almost every age—and even one for Young Kings. But whether you choose a single gift box ($55) or one of their quarterly to monthly subscription plans (up to $270/year), what we love about these age-appropriate, treat-filled boxes is their straightforward one-time, pay in advance subscriptions—you’ll never be stuck with any shady auto-renews. Just be forewarned: December 19 is the last day to shop for guaranteed arrival before Christmas—if you choose 2-3 day shipping.

What are you still doing here? Get shopping!