How to Make “Happy Kwanzaa” Cards

Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrating African heritage and culture. Celebrated from December 26th to January 1st each year, it features candle-lighting ceremonies, feasts, gift giving and more. The holiday was not intended to replace Christmas, but rather to give those of African descent a time to celebrate themselves and their ancestors.

Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles. These are:

Umoja – Unity
Kujichagulia – Self-determination
Ujima – Collective work and responsibility
Ujamaa – Co-operative Economics
Nia – Purpose
Kuumba – Creativity
Imani – Faith

Just like those who celebrate Christmas send out Christmas cards, those who celebrate Kwanzaa often send out cards for the holiday. What better way to celebrate the principle of Kuumba than to make handmade cards for your friends and family? Following are some ideas for creating beautiful and unique “Happy Kwanzaa” cards.

Use Kwanzaa Colors

The traditional colors of Kwanzaa are red, green and black. Each of these colors has a special meaning. Red symbolizes the blood shed by Africans, and represents the principles Kuumba, Ujamaa and Kujichagulia. Green represents the land of Africa, as well as the principles of Ujima, Nia and Imani. And black represents the African people and the principle of Umoja.

One way you could utilize these three colors is by weaving. To do this, fold a piece of card stock in half. Then cut a piece of black construction paper the size of the folded card, and cut slits in it starting ½ inch from one end and ending ½ inch from the other. Repeat every half inch. Then cut out half-inch strips of red and green paper and weave them through. When finished, glue the weaving to the front or inside of the card.

The Symbols of Kwanzaa

Incorporate the symbols of Kwanzaa into your design. These include a candleholder with seven candles, the unity cup, and crops. Corn is an especially meaningful symbol, as it represents the children of the family.

Here's a fun and attractive way to make an ear of corn to use on your cards. Lay a piece of yellow construction paper on top of a piece of gold foil paper. Draw the shape of an ear of corn on the construction paper, and cut through both layers. Use a hole punch to punch rows of holes out of the yellow paper, and place it back on top of the gold foil. Then cut green construction paper in the shape of a husk, leaving space for the corn to show through, and glue it all together.

Sending handmade cards is a fun Kwanzaa activity. You can capture the spirit of the holiday by using the traditional colors and symbols, and help spread it by sending out cards to your friends and family.