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Holiday Gift Guide Series: Empowering Gifts for Brown Girls Under $35

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Happy October!  I just looked at my countdown calendar to see there are only 84 days until Christmas. That’s 12 Sundays.  Just under 3 months.  Wow!

This year, I am committed to getting ready for the big season early.  I loathe waiting until the last minute and rushing to purchase gifts.  Can you relate?  Hopefully through my series of holiday gift guide posts over the coming months, I’ll be able to help YOU get started on that quest too.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be highlighting a variety of affordable products and books for kids and adults.  I hope you’ll find a few items you’d like to purchase as gifts!

First up, is Brown Girls Club.  They showcase gorgeous girl-empowering products for babies, kids and adults!   Here you can find the perfect gifts for your mother, sister, wife, or daughter and keep your dollars flowing through the Black community.  Yes, this is a black-owned business by a woman named Crystal Swain-Bates who is the proud author of six fun black children’s books and the owner of Goldest Karat Publishing, LLC. The mission of Brown Girls Club is simple: to remind brown girls and women daily of their sparkle!

From her line of products you’ll find: books, self-esteem boosting magnets, tote bags, t-shirts, party supplies and pillows.  The best part?  Most of the products are under $35.  Check it out!

Pillows
These pillows would make a great addition to a little brown girl’s bedroom or playroom.
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Tote Bags
These adorable tote bags are perfect for toting around library books, dance recital outfits or school books.

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Books
Lola has really really REALLY big hair, much bigger than the other kids at her school. Despite her hair blocking the view of anyone that dares sit behind her and causing her to lose at hide and seek, she sings the praises of her big hair throughout this rhyming picture book. Designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence, this beautifully illustrated book is perfect for any girl or boy who has ever felt a bit self-conscious about their hair and may need a reminder from time to time that it’s okay to look different from the other kids at their school. 
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Meet Makayla, a pretty black princess who lives in a castle far, far away. Although she has cute dresses, a sparkling tiara, and a shiny wand, she knows that being a princess isn’t just about her fancy things, she has to put in work to be the very best princess she can be! By the end of this rhyming picture book, Makayla realizes that “It’s not my castle, my wand, or the dress that I’m in. What makes me a princess is what lies within!”
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Coloring Books
In “Color My Fro”, 31 big-haired fairies, mermaids, warriors, models, cheerleaders, and fierce divas grace the pages of this coloring book celebrating the beauty of black women and natural hair. At each turn of the page, a new natural hair inspired illustration greets you.

Fun for any occasion, “Color My Fro” is the perfect stocking stuffer for natural hair lovers of any age so grab your crayons, colored pencils, and your afro pick and get started!

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Meet Zoe & Star, two adventurous African-American girls who just love to have fun! Follow them throughout over 45 fun-filled coloring and activity pages that inspire creativity, promote self-confidence, and celebrate diversity.
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Party Sets
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I’m a Pretty Princess Party Set

Connect with Crystal Swain-Bates!

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Your turn: Did you enjoy this list of gifts?  Feel free to share in the comments.

children's books

Holiday Gift Guide Series: Coloring Books and Flash Cards for African-American Kids!

If you follow my blog, you may have noticed I feature a variety of children’s and adult books on my blog.  I do not believe in discrimination or segregation of any kind, especially when it comes to books.  And although I read a variety of different books with my kids, I get really excited whenever I come across books or different items that feature multicultural or African-American children.  Why?  Because growing up as a kid there weren’t many dolls, coloring books, cartoon characters, or flash cards for multicultural children.  Thankfully, today there are more options available for parents and children to choose from.  Check out these fantastic stocking stuffers listed below!

Coloring and Activity Books
The kids and I LOVE this series of coloring and activity books by Crystal Swain-Bates!  She’s the author of the popular children’s book Big Hair, Don’t Care.  Crystal founded a black-owned publishing company called Goldest Karat Publishing.  Their mission is to fill a critical niche in African-American literature by providing books that fill the untapped needs of young African-American boys and girls in stories they will want to read again and again.

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Not only can kids color in the pages, but they can also do fun activities like filling in the missing vowels to discover hidden sentences, draw pictures, and write their own stories.  My kids are still a bit young to do most of the activities, but we’re holing on to these beauties until they are a bit older.  I’d say these are perfect for children ages 5 – 9.  However, if you like coloring books like I do even adults would enjoy these.  A real treat!

Interesting in ordering these coloring books for your little readers, church group or school?
The Colorful Adventures of Cody & Jay
The Colorful Adventures of Zoe & Star
Color My Fro
Black Fairy Tales

ABC Me Flashcards
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I came across these amazing ABC Me Flash Cards on Instagram.  Have you seen these yet?

Designed to be used in a myriad of ways, ABC Me Flashcards are illustrated in vibrant colors with easy to understand wording on the back. They begin with the alphabet but A isn’t for apple. This time, A is for Africa. And so from A to Z or from Africa to Zora Neal Hurston, younger children can learn their ABC’s and older children can use the same cards to learn about their history.

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Mom and teacher Leilani Brooks came up with the idea to create these flashcards.  While looking for ways to teach her children about their history and culture, she discovered that there weren’t enough resources for teaching African-American history to young children. After purchasing a set of flashcards depicting American Presidents and seeing our 44th President, Barack Obama represented, Leilani was inspired. She called long time friend, educator and historian, Stevi Meredith. Brooks told Meredith she had an idea to make flashcards about African American accomplishments and culture. After some brainstorming, the two came up with what is now ABC Me Flashcards: The African American Edition.

I hope you enjoyed these two stocking stuffer ideas!  The beauty of stocking stuffers is that they don’t have to be off someone’s list and they can range in price from $1 to $100 or more. More importantly, they can be fun, quirky, sweet, one-of-a-kind, and just from you.

Happy shopping and happy stuffing!

For more information about Crystal Swain-Bates click here to visit her website.  You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Interested in purchasing ABC Me Flashcards?  Click here to visit their website.  You can also follow ABC Me Flashcards on Instagram and Facebook.

Disclaimer:  This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn:  Did you enjoy this post?  What are you planning to put in your little ones stockings this year?  Feel free to share in the comments.

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