Movies
This 2007 Christmas movie starring Chris Brown and Regina King had every Black family saying, “Yep, that’s EXACTLY how our holiday gatherings be.”
This Christmas
Every Black family cookout playlist magically transforms into a Christmas playlist when this Donny Hathaway song comes on
“This Christmas”
This red-nosed reindeer helped guide Santa’s sleigh through a foggy Christmas Eve night.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This green, grumpy guy tried to steal Christmas from Whoville, but y’all know even your auntie watching the movie cried when his heart grew three sizes.
The Grinch
This is often placed at the very top of the Christmas tree and can be a star or an angel.
Tree topper / Star on the tree
In this holiday comedy with Gabrielle Union and Danny Glover, the family can’t get through one meal without drama, shade, or somebody burning the dressing.
Almost Christmas
If you grew up in a Black household, you definitely heard this Temptations song playing while someone was putting up the tree and yelling “HAND ME THE ORNAMENTS!”
“Silent Night”
These tiny figures are placed in a display to represent the birth of Jesus, often including Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.
Nativity scene
This mischievous kid left home alone one Christmas and caused chaos while protecting his house from burglars.
Kevin McCallister from Home Alone
Families often build these edible creations out of candy and frosting, decorating them with gumdrops, candy canes, and icing.
Gingerbread houses
This emotional 2013 film starring Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall made everybody cry, laugh, and text their group chat like, “We need a friend trip ASAP.”
The Best Man Holiday
This Mariah Carey hit is the unofficial start of the holiday season — and yes, Auntie is gonna hit that high note every time.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You”
This man, known for his long white beard and red suit, delivers presents to children all over the world on Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus
This spooky but lovable skeleton became the “Pumpkin King” and tried to bring Halloween-style chaos to Christmas Town.
Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas
This drink, creamy and sweet, is a holiday staple at many Black family gatherings — often spiked for the adults and loved by kids too.
Eggnog
This magical Netflix musical with Forest Whitaker and Keegan-Michael Key had Black kids everywhere wishing their toys came to life like Jeronicus Jangle’s.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
This Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight classic comes on, and suddenly the whole house smells like shea butter and fresh-baked rolls.
"Let It Snow!”
This sultry singer made “Santa Baby” a 1953 holiday classic, asking Santa for all the goodies — diamonds, a yacht, and a “really big ring.”
Who is Eartha Kitt?
This cheerful snowman comes to life with a magical hat and loves spreading holiday joy wherever he goes.
Frosty the Snowman
These colorful lights are strung on houses, trees, and mantels, and if your family’s display isn’t bigger than the neighbors’, you know someone’s going to hear about it.
Christmas lights
Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington brought peak 90s Black excellence to this Christmas classic your mom re-watches every single year like it just came out.
The Preacher’s Wife
This Jackson 5 Christmas song had every Black kid side-eyeing their mom like, “So… you just out here kissing Santa now?”
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
This festive plant, often hung in doorways, is used for people to share a friendly kiss underneath during the holidays.
Mistletoe
This tiny elf with a big heart helps Santa prepare toys and spreads Christmas cheer, especially to those on the nice list.
Buddy the Elf from Elf
This sweet, buttery dessert shows up at almost every Black family Christmas gathering — sometimes as pie, sometimes as cake, and everyone argues over who gets the biggest slice.
Sweet potato pie