Ethical and Sustainable Gifts for Your Vegan Friend
Apr 28, 2023
Do you have a vegan or environmentally conscious friend with an upcoming birthday? There is a somewhat unfair stereotype that vegans are difficult to buy for; however, in today’s modern world, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While veganism was once considered a niche lifestyle choice, it is now profoundly popular with an estimated 79 million vegans globally and a continuously expanding range of vegan-friendly products. Hence, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding an excellent gift for your plant-based friend. Here are some excellent suggestions for gifts guaranteed to impress them.
Plant-Based Leather Wallet/Purse
A high-quality leather wallet or purse is always a wonderful thing to receive as a gift. Unfortunately, leather is extraordinarily harmful to the planet. Plant-based leather is biodegradable, cruelty-free and used to create traditional leather products such as shoes, furniture and wallets. That said, a lot of “vegan leather” is made from polyurethane - although widely recycled, this material is not biodegradable. However, you can purchase 100% biodegradable plant-based leather alternatives made from mushrooms, cacti and piñatex - cellulose fibres extracted from pineapple leaves.
Vegan Cheese And Wine
When asked what animal-derived food they miss the most, most vegans will say “cheese”. Over the years, vegan cheese has improved tenfold, and there is now an extensive variety of delicious cheese alternatives available online and in supermarkets. Consider purchasing your vegan loved one a selection of vegan cheeses, ideal for an elegant evening of fine wine and cheese.
Although most wines are now suitable for vegans, some manufacturers still use animal products such as gelatin and casein (milk protein) in their traditional winemaking processes. To save your gift from going to waste, check the label to ensure your wine is suitable for your vegan recipient.
Cruelty-Free Bath Products
Everybody loves receiving a selection of luxurious bath products, no matter the occasion. Although, be warned - many bath products are not considered vegan and cruelty-free. Many brands still use inhumane animal testing methods to ensure the safety of their products. Additionally, many bath and body products contain animal-derived ingredients such as honey, beeswax and milk. Before heading to the shops, it is worth researching various brands and manufacturers to ensure your recipient’s gifts align with their values.
Sweet Treats
When in doubt, a selection of sweet treats is always an excellent gift option. You can find vegan alternatives to almost any form of confectionery, from marshmallows to chocolate to gummy sweets. Even big international brands have started producing plant-based alternatives to well-loved products. You could even source some luxury artisan confectionery from an all-vegan company - in fact, the UK now boasts numerous vegan chocolatiers. Make your gift aesthetically pleasing by arranging a variety of sweets and chocolates in a box, hamper or a simple gift bag.
Sanctuary Donation
If you want to steer clear from physical gifts, donating to an animal or environmental conservation charity in your recipient’s name is a thoughtful way to show you care about their values. Alternatively, you could take your recipient for a day of volunteering at a shelter or sanctuary where they can get up close and personal with rescued animals and help to care for them. Some sanctuaries have adoption programmes, where you can sponsor an animal by donating a small amount of money per month to support their welfare.
Recipe Book
If you have a friend or family member who is a vegan and enjoys cooking, a recipe book can make an excellent gift. While there are countless recipes available online, a physical cookbook can be a useful and enjoyable tool for those who love to experiment in the kitchen. Not only can it offer new recipe ideas, but it can also serve as a handy reference guide.
To ensure that the cookbook is practical and useful, consider the recipient's lifestyle when making your selection. For instance, if they lead a busy life and have minimal time for cooking, you might want to look for a vegan cookbook that focuses on quick and easy recipes. Additionally, you could include some organisational tips, such as suggesting they make a meal plan for the week ahead, or prepping ingredients in advance, to make their cooking process more efficient and stress-free. By gifting them a recipe book and some organisational tips, you can help them to expand their vegan culinary skills while also making their life a little easier.
Eco-Friendly Kitchenware
Eco-friendly kitchenware is another excellent option for vegan and eco-conscious recipients who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Many kitchen products feature environmentally damaging components such as plastic and silicone. However, with more and more of us striving for an eco-conscious lifestyle, natural, biodegradable kitchenware is now widely available. Consider cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils made from bamboo, coconut shell and stainless steel. You could even get your recipient some reusable food wraps made from recycled cotton coated with plant-based wax.