Though there’s still the Thanksgiving meal to prepare and fall foliage lingering around Boston, it’s officially November, which means holiday shopping season has begun. Get a head start on your loved ones’ wish lists with these products from local Black-owned businesses.
Gift box from Black Owned Bos. PHOTO: Courtesy Black Owned Bos.
Holiday Gift Boxes from Black Owned Bos.
There are so many incredible Black-owned businesses here in Boston, the greatest challenge is choosing among them for holiday shopping. Black Owned Bos. solves that problem with a series of holiday gift boxes featuring anywhere from four to eight items sourced from local Black-owned shops. The boxes have goodies like chocolate, tea, candles, bath bombs and other indulgences perfect for holiday pampering. blackownedbos.com
PHOTO: Courtesy AIRI Jewelry & Gallery
Handcrafted earrings from AIRI Jewelry & Gallery
Local artist Maya Alia handcrafts the earrings at AIRI Jewelry & Gallery, focusing on minimal, artistic and femme silhouettes. Available in silver (stainless steel) and gold (tarnish-resistant bronze), these wearable art pieces are both bold and delicate. If you’d prefer to hang art on your walls, AIRI also showcases a series of art prints celebrating diversity and feminine energy. shopairi.com
Boozy Ice Cream from Crème de Liqueur
PHOTO: Courtesy Crème de Liqueur
Combine two beloved holiday traditions this year: dessert and cocktails. Crème de Liqueur makes liquor-infused ice cream with up to 2% ABV. Founders Nisreen Galloway and Elizabeth Nash are passionate about all things local, so these small-batch pints are infused with regional liquors like Bully Boy. Spoon-toast the holidays with their seasonal flavor Twisted Apple Pie, featuring cinnamon vanilla ice cream infused with cinnamon whiskey and loaded with real apple chunks. cremedeliqueur.com
Cookie Sampler from Clarke’s Cookies & Cakes
PHOTO: Courtesy Clarke’s Cookies & Cakes
The delicacies created by this woman-owned, family backed bakery will have your sweet tooth singing for joy. Karen Clarke created the business while searching for healthier treats for her family. The Clarke’s goodies are plant-based, vegan and delicious. The six-pack of cookies is a perfect starter sampler, offering chocolate chip, gluten free oatmeal raisin and peanut butter to the discerning snacker. clarkescakesandcookies.com
Jamaican Jerk Marinade from Hillside Harvest
PHOTO: Courtesy Hillside Harvest
Hillside Harvest owner Kamaal Jarrett celebrates both his Jamaican heritage and his Boston home in the craft sauces he produces. The Jamaican Jerk Marinade is one of his best-selling products, folding hints of ginger, thyme and pineapple into the mild but tangy hot pepper marinade. If you’re having trouble choosing between flavors, the Hot Sauce Variety Pack is another popular choice, including Pineapple Fresno, Sun Kissed Tomato and Original Hot Pepper sauces to spice up your next dish. hillsidesauce.com
PHOTO: CELINA COLBY
A new read from Frugal Bookstore
For the bibliophiles in your life, head to Frugal Bookstore in Nubian Square, a community shop run by two dedicated booklovers, Leonard and Clarrissa Egerton. The bookstore offers a vast selection of volumes highlighting diverse stories, and they will happily order you anything you can’t find in the store. If you have a few titles in mind, go wild — and if you don’t, the Egertons can help you find the perfect book for everyone on your list. frugalbookstore.net
“Black Nativity” PHOTO: National Center of Afro-American Artists
Tickets to a holiday show
Quality time together often makes the best gift and during the holiday season there are lots of classic, festive performances to attend with family and friends. “Black Nativity” and “Urban Nutcracker” are unique, community-based theater experiences celebrating the Black experience in Boston and ringing in holiday cheer. You may even recognize your neighbors in the cast! Dress up, make dinner plans and create a lasting holiday memory. blacknativity.org
