Celebrating Kwanzaa with creative DIY gifts
Skill level
Intermediate
Meleah Campbell shares how she celebrates Kwanzaa with creative DIY gifts.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1. The name “Kwanzaa” originates from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.”
There are seven principles of Kwanzaa:
- Umoja – Unity
- Kujichagulia – Self-determination
- Ujima – Collective work and responsibility
- Ujamaa – Cooperative economics
- Nia – Purpose
- Kuumba – Creativity
- Imani – Faith
Homemade gifts are traditionally given on the last day of Kwanzaa. To recognize the sixth principle, Kuumba, which means “creativity”, here are three Kwanzaa gifts I made for my friends and family that can be created using Cricut.
7 Principles of Kwanzaa coasters
Supplies needed
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- Cricut machine
- Cricut EasyPress
- Coaster blanks, square
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets, bright green
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets, cherry
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets, true yellow
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets, black
- Design Space image Umoja #M1F16118C
- Design Space image Kujichagulia #M1F16110E
- Design Space image Ujima #M1F16116F
- Design Space image Ujamaa #M1F161154
- Design Space image Nia #M1F16113D
- Design Space image Kuumba #M1F161134
- Design Space image Imani #M1F161104
Step
Add images from Cricut Design Space. Drag and select all of the cuts on the page and click the “Attach” button on the bottom right side of the screen. Your image will turn green to show that the cuts are attached.
Step
Cut the designs for all 7 Kwanzaa Principles using all four of the infusible ink colors: black, cherry, true yellow, and bright green I used a Cricut Maker 3 to cut the Infusible Ink, but any Cricut cutting machine will work, including a Cricut Joy.
Step
Peel off excess material, and create the color scheme you would like for the coasters.
Step
Use a weeder to remove any small excess material.
Step
After you have your design, place the infusible ink directly in the center of a clean coaster. Use a Cricut EasyPress at 400 degrees for 30 seconds to transfer the ink to the coaster. Be sure to wait for the coasters to cool down before peeling off the Infusible Ink.
Happy Kwanzaa mug
Supplies needed
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Step
Select a mug template from Cricut Design Space. Upload the image ‘Happy Kwanzaa #MC96DF0C’ and cut using Infusible Ink on the Cricut Joy.
Step
After weeding out the details, attach the Infusible Ink to the mug and place into the Cricut Mug Press. Pull the handle down and when the four lights on the Mug Press are lit, lift the handle and carefully take the mug out. Let the mug cool down before peeling off the Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet.
My First Kwanzaa onesie
The Kinara is a seven-space candle holder, and each candle represents one principle of Kwanzaa. The red candles on the left represent the struggle, the black candle in the middle represents people of African descent, and the green candles represent land and hope for the future.
Supplies needed
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Step
Cut design “My First Kwanzaa #MC96E066” on Cricut Maker 3. Cut the design using all four of the Everyday Iron-On colors: black, green, red, and yellow. Weed excess material.
Step
Layer the Iron-On material to match the photo.
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