Full disclosure: I bloody love Christmas and everything that comes along with it. The decorations, buying gifts, wrapping gifts (yep), baking and driving around for hours looking at Christmas lights. It’s usually my aim to have my Christmas shopping completed by the end of November, so that I can spend my December baking, decorating and just being heaps festive. Oh and executing my thoroughly thought out wrapping theme (yeah, I do that too).
I understand that many don’t share my love of gift buying and sometimes through veganism into the mix can add an extra layer of “ohmygodwhatdoIdoChristmasisaweekawayI’mgoingtocry” I would love to act as your personal shopper and gift wrapper over the Christmas season but until I can teleport, my 2015 Vegan Christmas Gift Guide will do the trick and point you in the direction of some great cruelty-free gift ideas! I’ve asked some of my favourite vegan-friendly stores to send through their number one picks for this Christmas so now all you need to do now is either get shoppin’ for your pals or create your wish list and subtly share it with your friends and family so they feel confident that they’ve bought an awesome gift that doesn’t harm our animal friends.
The Stylish Legend
Any stylish vegan knows that the cornerstone to any good outfit is a fantastic bag and who makes a better vegan bag than Matt + Nat? In my opinion, nobody! Brisbane based Orange Oranges is my favourite Matt + Nat stockist in Australia and are giving badass Aussie vegans the chance to cart their junk around in style. The Triplet is the perfect way to start any Matt + Nat collection as it gives all the convenience of both a wallet and handbag in one beautifully designed product. Three zippered compartments, 12 card slots and a phone pocket are all wrapped up in an awesome vegan leather exterior. Chuck it in your backpack or larger bag by day, remove it and attach the strap for night – the Triplet is definitely an all-rounder and a very special gift at $115.
The Experimental Chef
As much as I would love to, I’m often too busy creating recipes to have time to even glance at a cookbook but when I do, it’s Artisan Vegan Cheese by Miyoko Schinner. This book contains not only stacks of cheese recipes for different skill levels but also a selection of recipes you can add your newly made cheese to! Create basic yet tasty cashew cheeses or try your hand at classics you used to enjoy in your dairy years like camembert, brie and stretchy mozzarella. The Book Depository seems to have the best price at $24.26 with free shipping worldwide, so it’s an inexpensive option, especially if you’re looking to have it delivered overseas!
The Skincare Addict
You may have read recently that the legends at Kester Black released their new soap free Liquid Hand & Body Wash in two awesome fragrances, well they make an awesome gift! At $32 some may be reluctant to splash that kind of cash for themselves but who wouldn’t love the gift of smelling like an angel 24/7? Kester Black also stock a range of awesome nail polishes too, so why not put a little KB gift pack together, I know I would be stoked on that little package *hint hint*.
The Busy Bee
Busy vegans are the ones who never seem to have a moment spare and need to sometimes be reminded of the fact it’s important to chillax. Encourage the busy bee in your life to take some time out with a natural soy wax candle from Newcastle Candle Co! With scents like Champagne & Strawberry, Coconut & Lime and Cedar & Caramel, these little guys smell incredible and at $15.00 these are an amazing gift that won’t break the bank. Plus they’re made in Newy, the best city in the world (truth!)
The Bearded Bro
D+T are the baddest vegans in the game when it comes to beard and haircare. This awesome range of organic, vegan products are handmade and handcrafted by owner David and smell so good you’ll want to eat them (don’t though, that’s a bad idea). D+T have a great selection of kits available that make the perfect Christmas gift for that bearded vegan in your life.
The New Kid on the Block
One of the hardest things about being a new vegan is knowing what the hell is out there in the vegan world. That’s where The Vegan Box comes in; a monthly subscription box filled with the best vegan products in all the land for $26.95 but often valued at a lot more. The cool thing about this option is that you can select a subscription that fits within your budget; a one off box for $26.95, a 3 month subscription for $76.95 or a 6 month subscription for $149.95. All of the products in The Vegan Box are palm-oil free and there’s an option for gluten free vegans too. The Vegan Beauty Box is also a great option at $49.95, stuffed with both sample and full-sized vegan beauty products worth at least $60!
The Beauty Queen
Is there a vegan in your midst who’s obsessed with makeup? Inika is the way to go. Just in time for Christmas they’ve released a Holiday Travel Kit; a cute little festive box which includes mini versions of their Mineral Foundation Powder, Certified Organic Pure Primer, Certified Organic Liquid Foundation, Mineral Setting Powder and PRO Vegan Kabuki Brush. At $49 for $100 worth of stuff it’s a steal and the perfect introduction to Inika’s awesome range of organic, natural cosmetics.
Stocking Stuffers
Sometimes you wanna give a little somethin’ somethin’ to your pals, family or colleagues without burning a hole in your pocket, I feel you! That’s why I gathered a coupla little bits and pieces for under $10 each to help you on your way. Hurraw! lip balms make a great little gift for guys and gals because they’re raw, organic and come in a bunch of different flavours (some tinted!) Go Max Go make a great range of awesome vegan candy bars that taste like your old favourites (I’m talking Mars, Snickers, PB Cups) and they all taste incredible! For a healthier chocolate option, Loving Earth raw chocolate is the way to go. They come in a huge range of flavours, come in adorable packaging and taste great! You can pick all of these guys up at the Cruelty Free Shop.
So there you have it, folks! Everything wrapped up in a neat little package to make your Christmas merry, bright and best of all VEGAN!
