Kwanzaa is a time of celebration for all African-Americans. Kwanzaa (“first fruits”) lasts from December 26th to January 1st of each year. The height of the celebration lands on December 31st upon a mat (mkeka). The feast of celebration (karamu) usually consists of corn (vibunzi), mazao crops, seven candles representing the seven principles (misumaa saba), unity cup (kikomba chaumoja), gifts (zawadi) usually surrounding heritage, and the national flag (bendara). With the unique symbols, the seven principles, and the colors red, green, and black, you can bring the celebration of Kwanzaa to your home.
Bendara (national flag)
The colors of red, green, and black salute Africa with the Nation’s flag. These flags can be purchased at a low price in different sizes in many different stores, such as craft stores, some gift shops and department stores (not to mention online). At the onset of Kwanzaa many stores offer Kwanzaa decor, including mini-Kwanzaa flags. Pick up a couple to spread about your home. You could place two flags inside of an empty tall thin vase. You could also stick the flags into plant or floral arrangements. You could attach one to your mailbox, place two on the porch, basically anywhere. A great decorative idea for someone celebrating Kwanzaa.
Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. There should be something in your home with these words upon them to better celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa. You can find these words on platters, plates, cups, mats, banners, frames, and wall hangings. Take a trip to your local Walmart, K-Mart, craft stores, and anywhere that sells decorative Kwanzaa merchandise. Let the seven principles en”light”en you another way.
Kwanzaa Floral Arrangement
In this floral arrangement you gather a black medium sized vase, one sheet of newspaper, one drop from a glue gun, one inch of easy to remove tape, a seven roses, a bushel of fern, and thin red or green ribbon. You simply roll the newspaper into the bottom of the vase so that the stems have a place to keep them at bay. Cut the roses on the bottom at the length where the stems reach from the bottom of the vase to the rim. Do the same for the fern. Stick the fern stems until the fern appears like an equal “fan” over lapping the edges of the vase. Place the roses into the newpaper along side of the fern stems so that the roses are in the center, and surrounded by green fern. Now for the ribbon.
Whether you chose red ribbon, or green ribbon, the ribbon should be wrapped around the neck of the vase at the most narrow section (if exists). Where the ribbon meet, make an X so that the ribbon heads south after intercepting. Tape the ribbon into that position, onto the vase. Heat up that glue gun. Untape the ribbon, and place a drop of glue onto the vase where the ribbon would lay. Press the ribbon closest to the vase onto the drop of glue, and hold for two minutes. Let go slowly, and place another drop of glue onto the ribbon where you are going to place the last ribbon. Press the last ribbon onto the glue for two minutes, and release with ease. Cut the ribbon two inches past the “interception” on each side so that they match in form. Take a step back and enjoy your Kwanzaa Floral Arrangement.
en”light”en Your Home
If you have never visited shop.TheHungerSite.com, you should. This site is incredibly strange to new comers with offers on various levels. A worthy cause for any site to accomplish, for the people, by the people. The selections run from jewelry, wraps, including table vases and fruit bowls, to helping others out with the click of the mouse. The Hunger Store offers some great home decorative products, such as the Zimbabwe Kissing Couple Abstract. At four inches tall, and three and a half inches in width, this sculpture would look perfect as the centerpiece of a mantle, or purchase a set for each night stand on each side of your bed. A de”light”ful addition to your home, as these sculptures maintain a nice glossy glow when placed near light.
Decorate to welcome the week long celebration of Kwanzaa.
