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Looking for the perfect gift ideas for your animal-loving friends? We've got you covered with a sleigh-full of tips for compassionate and cruelty-free Christmas shopping.
Veganism isn't just a dietary choice, it's a belief system. We don't consume any products derived from animals, and that extends far beyond just food into every other aspect of our lives. This can make it tricky to know what to buy for your vegan friends, especially at Christmas, so we've written you a cheeky cheat sheet of tips, pointers, and potential pitfalls. Can we just start by saying though that even by doing some research (which you must be to end up here), you've made a fantastic start and you're a lovely considerate friend - now let's get into it.
1. Vegan Treats 🍬
Trust us, vegans love snacks just as much as the rest of the population and we really appreciate when people take the time to find us treats that we can actually eat. There's a TON of amazing vegan treats and alternatives now, so take a look in your local supermarket for plant-based chocolates, bakes, sweets and other treats. You can also find some truly magical vegan foody gifts online, so why not support a small business?
2. Cruelty-Free Cosmetics 🐇
It's easy to forget that cosmetic items like makeup or nail polish may not be suitable for vegans. Even if a product says it contains no animal products, some may have still been harmed in the process through animal testing - obviously a big 'no no' for any vegan, (and hopefully anyone else for that matter). Look for cruelty-free badges such as PETA and Leaping Bunny certifications.
3. Clothing & Accessories 👗
If you're considering buying an item of clothing, shoes or accessories for your vegan friend, remember to steer clear of anything that contains animal products such as leather, suede, silk and wool. If in doubt, just don't buy it!
4. Meals Out 🍴
We speak for plant-based people everywhere when we say please research a restaurant before taking us there! Or allow us to choose! If you want to treat your friend to a meal out, make sure you find somewhere with a vegan menu, or plenty of vegan options. Unfortunately, a lot of places still only have one (if any) plant-based dish, and it's probably not amazing if they cba to put any effort into cooking up more options. In fact, it's probably just a sloppy mushroom tart that no one in their right mind would go for given the choice. Sorry we're ranting - on we go.
5. Good Causes ❤️
If your friend is a passionate animal advocate, then they'll really appreciate a gift
that gives back to a charity or cause that they care about. Consider a donation in their name, animal sponsorship package, or something from a charity's shop. For example, just sayin', our super cute rebel bunny beanies - keeps activist brains toasty and funds our important work! You could also consider looking for paid experiences at animal rescues or sanctuaries near you - cow cuddles are always appreciated.
6. Reusable Goodies 🌎
We don't mean to typecast, but a lot of vegans are also very environmentally conscious. Help them in their commitment to look after the planet by gifting them something sustainable, like a cool reusable stainless steel water bottle or something that actively helps give back - like some wildflower seeds or bee bombs!
7. Sweet, Sweet Words 📚
There are some seriously great reads out there on the topic of animal rights, veganism, sustainability, all the good stuff. It's a great idea to do some research and gift your friend with a book that they can dive into to expand their knowledge, fuel their passion and inspire them. If you need some help, we have a whole list of different reads, and the topics they explore, here. Our top recommendation this year has to be This is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters, genius.
8. For Their True Love
If all else fails, buy them something for their beloved furry friends (which we're assuming they probably have and that they're probably very pampered). We'd never turn down a dog toy or a nice fluffy pet blanket, but that's just us.
