Best Vegan Gift Ideas for Christmas 2020

 

With the holidays coming up, deciding what gift to buy for our loved ones is playing on our minds, and it can be especially difficult to know what to buy if you have vegan friends or family. So, what does being vegan actually mean? Of course, we all know vegans don’t eat meat and dairy, which is easy enough to avoid, but did you know that they also do not wear or consume any animal by-products whatsoever? This includes fur, silk, wool, honey, feathers, gelatin, leather, and the list goes on. Therefore, buying your vegan sister-in-law a pair of wooly socks this Christmas would be a huge faux pas! Any product that contains anything derived from animals is a big no-no when deciding what to buy for someone who practices veganism.

Luckily, due to the growing popularity of veganism, there are lots of great gifts on the market that do not contain any animal products whatsoever. So, if you have vegan loved ones to buy for this Christmas, or perhaps just have some animal-loving or eco-conscious relatives or friends (vegan gifts aren’t just reserved for vegans, remember!), here are a few of the best gift ideas that are 100% free of animal products:

Vegan gummy bears

Not all gummy bears are naturally vegan friendly. Along with many other types of chewy candy, gummy bears are usually made with gelatin, which comes from cows or pigs. This vegan gummy bear kit is a great, fun gift idea for any vegans in your life who you suspect might miss the sweet, chewy goodness of gummy bears.  Not only will they get to enjoy a tasty treat, but they also get to make the gummy bears themselves, which is an exciting, creative project!

Beeswax-free lip balm

Many lip balms contain beeswax, which as an animal by-product is not vegan-friendly. However, this lip balm is 100% vegan, as well as being highly moisturizing due to being packed with avocado and coconut oils. At only $5, this is a perfect stocking filler for anyone who wants the feeling of smooth, moisturized lips without the use of beeswax. It is not tinted so is perfectly gender neutral and appropriate for just about anyone!

A cruelty-free vegan shaving brush

Did you know that many traditional shaving brushes use badger hair for the bristles? Unfortunately, the badgers have kept on highly unregulated farms and are often subjected to extremely poor conditions and cruelty. Luckily, there are vegan alternatives that use synthetic or plant-based materials instead of animal hair for the bristles.  This vegan shaving brush is a great gift idea for the man in your life who wants the class and sophistication of an old fashioned shave, without the animal by-products found in traditional shaving brushes. 

A cookbook packed with vegan recipes

Eating a vegan diet doesn’t have to be boring. Some people think it’s just salad and tofu, but they couldn’t be more wrong! There are hundreds of vegan-friendly recipes out there that make use of all the plant-based goodies that nature has to offer. This cookbook by Patricia Tanumihardja offers an amazing selection of exciting vegan Asian recipes, such as crispy spring rolls, Korean-style buffalo broccoli and sweet potato rice stew. This would be an ideal gift for someone who has been practicing veganism for a long time and is looking for new ideas or for someone considering becoming vegan and who wants to see what meal options are out there (other than salad!). 

A leaf leather wallet

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a wallet made of leaves. Now, that might sound ridiculous, but leaf leather is actually an incredibly strong and durable animal leather alternative. As well as being cruelty-free and environmentally friendly, leaf leather is water-resistant and comes in a range of different colors. Even trees aren’t harmed in the production process, as the wallets are only made from fallen leaves. This is a beautiful, handcrafted gift that would be perfect for any of your vegan loved ones who might be looking for a vegan-friendly wallet. The company behind leaf leather, Tree Tribe, also makes journals, clutch bags, travel bags and many other products from this unusual and vegan-friendly leather.

Vegan chocolate truffles

Contrary to popular belief, being vegan doesn’t have to mean giving up chocolate. Plant-based chocolate is becoming more and more common and makes a great gift for vegans and non-vegans alike! This truffle collection is not only free from animal products but is also GMO-free and organic, so it is a perfect gift for those who prefer natural ingredients. The box contains a range of differently flavored truffles, such as dark espresso and creamy hazelnut.

‘Powered by Plants’ statement t-shirt

This bold statement tee from Etsy that reads ‘Powered by Plants’ is perfect for the loud and proud vegan in your life. It comes in a range of different colors and is unisex so it would be great for both your male and female vegan friends! It is a loose fit style with a crewneck design. So, if you have a vegan friend that won’t ever stop talking about veganism or trying to convince everyone of the benefits, what better gift than a t-shirt that advertises their beliefs for all to see?

A soy-based candle

Many candles are made from beeswax and therefore are not vegan-friendly. However, some candlemakers have taken to making their products from soy wax, as it is a great plant-based alternative. This candle from Etsy is handmade in California and scented with California pine, which is a delightfully fresh and festive fragrance. It has a subtle and natural scent and has been designed to emulate the real smell of a pine forest and avoids being overly fragrant and overpowering. It is also free from additives, dyes, and chemicals. This would be a great present for any vegans in your life who prefer things to be all-natural, as this candle is both made from natural products and has a natural smell and appearance.