Low-Budget Tips for Decorating the Kwanzaa Table

When decorating the Kwanzaa table, you don't have to spend big. In fact, with these low budget, or no budget, decorating tips, you'll have a fabulously decorated Kwanzaa table in no time. These projects are easy enough for the beginner, with tips for variations, and will be great fun for the kids as well. By utilizing items from around your house, you can save big and still decorate your Kwanzaa table in style. The Kwanzaa tables consists of these basic items:

Kinara (Kwanzaa Candleholder), featuring 7 candles representing the 7 principles

Mkeke (Kwanzaa mat) which is placed on your Kwanzaa table underneath all of your other decorations

Kikombe cha Umoja (Kwanzaa Unity Cup), filled with wine or juice, a vessel from which each family member sips, from eldest to youngest

[You will also need muhindi (ears of corn), mazao (harvest items such as a fresh pumpkin or other fruits and vegetables), and zawadi ( Kwanzaa gifts) to complete the look.]

The Projects:

Simple Kinara (Kwanzaa Candleholder)

You will need 7 candles: 3 each of red and green, 1 black. You can get candles cheaply at your local dollar store. For this project, I recommend using tall taper candles. If you have problems finding a black candle, try to locate a new age store in your area. They will have all of the candles you need, and you'll likely pay 50 cents or less each.

You'll need a block of wood cut from a 2x4 that is 14 inches long. Measure and mark equally along the block in two-inch increments. Now, depending on your tools available, you have two options: use a dremel tool or similar to make holes big enough to hold each candle (probably about 1 inch diameter) or use long nails (about 3 inches) and hammer through the wood so you have nails sticking up every 2 inches. (Be careful you don't poke yourself or anyone else. Take the wood piece outside and spray paint it dark brown, to represent the earth, or leave it as is for a natural look. Add candles. You're Done!

Variations: Who says the Kinara candleholder has to be one piece? Use seven votive candles in clear glass votive holders or seven individual candlesticks used as a group.

Mkeke (Kwanzaa mat)

You will need: ½ yard of burlap, or a similar natural matural--linen, unbleached cotton, or muslin will also work, potatoes, acrylic paint, small plates.

Cut the potatoes in half. Using a sharp knive (grown ups only, please!), carve people shapes in the potato halves to use as a stamp, with a small amount of paint on a plate. If you are very talented, you could make an ear of corn and cut out letters and use to form words like Kwanzaa, Unity, or Peace. This will not be washable, but you could spray the letters with an acrylic clearcoat before using to protect your work.

Variations: Use paper if you don't have fabric. Paint directly onto the fabric with a paint brush. Use pre-purchased stamps, if you have them. Fuse a piece of fabric to a fusible sheet, which will allow you to iron it onto fabric. Cut out letters to form the words of your choice. Use small, skinny twigs or long grasses to weave your own mat (caution: takes a long time!).

Kwanzaa Unity Cup

Symbolizing the foundation principle of the Nguzu Saba, Umoia (Unity), this traditional vessel is used to pour Tambiko, which means "libation for our ancestors." On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, the Unity Cup is filled with wine, or grape juice, and passed to each family member, eldest to youngest. Each person says a blessing to the family ancestor then drinks from the vessel. This is a must-have addition for your Kwanzaa table.

You will need the following items:

1 glass goblet, with a long stem. If you are low on cash, buy your glass at the local thrift store or recycle one from your own cupboards. Any designs on the goblet will be hidden by the end of the project, but you may find you'll need extra black tissue paper to cover the designs.

3 sheets black tissue paper, torn into 2 x 2 inch pieces

1 sheet tissue paper in green and red

Decoupage glue, or lightly watered down Elmer's glue. If you want your unity cup to be used for years to come, make sure to use a glue specifically design for glass.

Paintbrush

Small bowl, for glue

Glitter, optional

Using the paintbrush and glue, coat the outer surface of the goblet with the black tissue paper by spreading a light layer of glue in small sections and coating with the tissue paper. Do a full layer, allow to dry, repeat twice, or until any designs on the glass are covered. Allow to dry for two hours, or overnight. NOTE: make sure not to cover the inside of the mug. For a neat edge, leave tissue paper sticking up around the edges then use a sharp cutting tool to trim when dry.

Fold the sheets of red and green tissue paper into quarters. Draw people shapes that will fit well on your goblet and cut out. You should have four copies of each image. Mix glitter into your glue, if desired. Affix images onto the goblet, adding double, triple, or 4-deep layers of each people, depending on how you want the goblet to look.

When satisfied, let dry 1 hour. Coat with a thin layer of glue, allow to dry, and repeat. Do this a few times, until the coating is fairly thick. Allow to dry over night.

Variations: The Kwanzaa Unity Cup, made in the traditional Kwanzaa colors, is great for a family celebration, but if you're a teacher or aide who works with younger children and you need a quick project, use Styrofoam cups and clothespins in place of the glass goblet. For a very basic, and non-water-resistant cup great for story time, use black construction paper with felt people shapes. Use a glass goblet, undecorated, with the handle tied with ribbons in black, red, and green. Simple and quick.