CNK Daily’s Holiday 2022 Gift Guide

Images: CNKDaily Graphic Design

The dawn of next-day shipping has made last-minute holiday shopping the new norm. Gone is the heyday of shopping malls and department stores; in 2022, online shopping is king for its convenience. We can’t deny the ease and breeze of Amazon Prime, but shopping homegrown brands that align with our ethos is well worth the longer shipping times.

In years past, we’ve prided ourselves on our itemized holiday shopping guides, but this year, we’re focusing on the specific brands behind the gifts. Each of the brands listed below is owned and operated by people of color who are making waves in their respective arenas. While not an exhaustive list, this year’s gift guide is made up of companies who made a big impression on us in 2022.

Yes, the ‘22 holiday season will soon be behind us, but gift giving is a year-round endeavor. Shop some of our favorite POC-owned brands below for the holidays and beyond (and don’t forget to snag a lil’ something for yourself in the process).

APParel

EleVen by Venus Williams:

Athletic outfits, accessories, and skincare options abound. Bonus: they already have curated gift guides available for your perusal, sorted by price. 

PRU Apparel: 

Founded by and run by women of color, PRU Apparel is a brand that holds unity, inclusivity, and sisterhood close to their chest. 

Grind Like a Doll:

We’ve previously sung this WOC-owned activewear previously, and they just released a holiday drop of neutral shades suitable for every woman on your shopping list. 

Brownie Points:

This one’s for the babes who aren’t afraid to make a statement. This feminist clothing brand features graphic tees, candles, and jewelry that scream main character energy.

Lilith NYC:

We’d be remiss if we didn’t plug a sneaker brand in this gift guide! WOC-owned sneaker brand Lilith NYC has one-of-a-kind sneaker silhouettes inspired by the divine feminine.

Humans Before Handles:

For some people, jewelry is just the cherry on top; for some of us, it’s what makes the entire outfit. This brand carries an extensive collection of one-of-a-kind styles that you’d be hard pressed to find in popular retailers.

Kae by Karrueche:

WOC-owned brand Kae by Karrueche has a fab array of trendy necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings in stock. Bonus: they’re currently having a huge sale right now, with most prices topping off at $10.

Brownie Points:

After you’ve raided Brownie Points’ apparel section, check out their jewelry tab. Their statement necklaces and rings add bold flair to any ensemble.

Johnny Nelson:

If budget isn’t an issue for you, eclectic jeweler Johnny Nelson can’t be beat when it comes to bling. We’re especially obsessed with their detailed portrait pendants featuring the faces of legends like Notorious B.I.G. and Malcom X.

Nubian Heritage:

This brand’s bar soaps, hand creams, and body lotions utilize the natural healing properties of shea butter, delivering velvety soft skin with every use.

Sugardoh:

This one’s for the unapologetically glam babe in your life; the one that’s a little too open about her bikini wax schedule. Sugardoh brings sugar waxing to the comfort of your own home, using high-quality skincare ingredients to nix hair ASAP.

Klur:

Quality skincare isn’t just for the girls. Inclusive brand Klur delivers spa-quality skincare products in unisex packaging that appeals to all.

Topicals:

When it comes to skincare brand Topicals, the packaging matches the product. Their skincare patches, tonics, and mists look good and work ah-mazingly

Haus Urban:

Luxury body butters, oils, and balms reign supreme at Haus Urban, offering yummy-smelling products for all skin types. Peruse their gifts section, or treat your BFF to a gift card.

Fenty Beauty:

We knew Rihanna was onto something major when she announced the launch of her own makeup brand. Fenty Beauty disrupted the beauty community with the most-inclusive shade range to date, becoming a household staple for all WOC. Shop their gift guide page here.

Briogeo:

Award-winning haircare brand Briogeo is notorious for delivering salon-quality results at home. Their Don’t Despair, Repair! collection is suited for all types and delivers a mega dose of hydration to forlorn strands.

Danessa Myricks Beauty:

So you bought a sparkly NYE dress, but need the makeup to match. Danessa Myricks Beauty has you covered with their ultra-glittery and shimmery eye palettes. The MUA in your life deserves this brand’s expertly-formulated pigments, period.

KNC Beauty:

We all know to not judge a book by its cover, but cute packaging never fails to impress. KNC Beauty gained a cult following online for their super-hydrating lip masks, scrubs, and balms. Consider this brand your one-stop-shop for adorable stocking stuffers.

Jungalow:

Candles, pillows, wall art, planters, oh my! Jungalow has eclectic interior decor options for the creatives on your list. 

Aphrochic:

Founded by a husband and wife duo, Aphrochic has a wide array of luxurious bedding sets, books, and lamps available for gifting. 

Sustainable Home Goods:

The brand name says it all— this is our new one-stop shop for ethically-made interior design. Check out their curated gift guides for inspo.

Kicky Mats:

The entrance of your home sets the stage for guests! Before the new year, consider trading unoriginal “Welcome” doormats for something that represents your style and personality.

Modish Decor Pillows:

If you bought a house, moved apartments, or even just upgraded your couch this year, deck out your space in some luxury decor pillows.

Bonus: they have online gift cards for last-minute holiday shopping.

Estelle Colored Glass:

If you’re anything like us, you got back into hosting dinner parties once booster shots rolled out. These colored glassware sets make a bold impression and are completely customizable to your own tastes.

Porcelain Sneakerhead:

For the truly sneaker-obsessed, these miniature handmade porcelain sneaker motifs scream “I’m on the SNKRS” app. Our favorite is this super-cute terra cotta mini planter, just large enough for a teensy succulent.

Armando Cabral:

A nice suit is great on its own, but a designer pair of kicks can elevate it to a whole new level. Apart from their footwear, we love their handcrafted leather wallets, AirPod cases, and rings.

Scotch Porter:

Men’s haircare brand Scotch Porter prides itself on delivering high-quality ingredients. Their beard care kits make a great holiday gift for the men in your life.

Ashya:

This luxury apparel brand is for the fashion-forward men whose style eclipses gender norms. Ashya’s unisex crossbody bags are yet to be beat for their quality and style.

Supervsn Studios:

Calling all streetwear fiends! Supervsn’s hoodies, beanies, tees, and pants are must if your man is constantly scrolling GOAT and Stock X.

Sustainable Home Goods:

A company so nice, we named them twice! Aside from killer eco-friendly home gifts, Sustainable Home Goods has an entire “Gifts for the Kiddos”.

The Black Toy Store:

Imagine a marketplace made specifically with children of color in mind? That’s exactly what The Black Toy Store is. Educational books, enriching games, and dolls that represent the culture are aplenty on this site, all pulled from different online stores. You’ll be shopping directly from black-owned toy brands like B is For Black Girl, which in turn gives the owners of The Black Toy Store an affiliate kickback. Double score.

Lil’ Libros:

Despite America being a melting pot of different cultures, there’s a vast shortage of bilingual books for children. This Latine-owned site pushes bilingual children’s books and POC-centered toys to the forefront.