Give!

Nothing makes me happier than spoiling the ones I love.

HealthyVegan.HolidayGiftGuide2020

The 2021 Healthy Vegan Gift Guide

While the holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year, I like to give gifts to the ones I love all year long. It brings me so much joy to see a loved one's face light up when they open a box and discover something meaningful and unique tucked inside. And it’s not just me; science shows that people who practice gift-giving experience lower blood pressure, less stress, and more overall life satisfaction. Whether your budget is big or small, it's always a good time to give a little something to friends and family. Here are some of my favorites, from thoughtful gestures to big splurges.

25 Healthy Vegan Gift Ideas

  1. For the foodie in your life
    You know the one: obsesses over quality French cookware, kitchen stocked with every spice on the planet, watches vegan cooking videos on YouTube for fun. If that person has been more nice than naughty this year, these are some choice gifts they’re sure to enjoy.
  2. A milk frother
    How did I get this far in life without one of these gadgets?! They’re compact, easy to clean, and best of all, functional. My morning lattes have never been the same.
  3. Online cooking classes
    Thanks to an ongoing pandemic, virtual cooking classes are having a big moment, and some of the most celebrated names in the vegan culinary world are offering a variety of workshops for home cooks at every skill level. You can’t go wrong with a class from Spork Foods or Joyful Vegan.
  4. A Vitamix
    Otherwise known as the best kitchen appliance ever created, this magic blender is, unequivocally, my number one culinary accoutrement. I use it every day for smoothies and soups, but it also makes nice cream, nut milks, and dressings, among others. The lucky recipient will be thanking you for years to come.
  5. Copper pots
    They’re gorgeous to look at, easy to clean, and best of all, they are a joy to cook with. I’ve been collecting copper pots for years and love the way they simmer, braise, and sauté anything and everything uniformly and perfectly. If they’re good enough for the great chefs, they’re good enough for the foodie in your life!
  6. For the friend who deserves pampering
    If you’re like me, you probably have at least one friend who puts everyone else’s needs before their own. For that person—or the healthcare worker on your list who's been working non-stop, or the friend who is struggling with burnout and ongoing stress—these special goodies grant permission for some well-deserved “me” time.
  7. A vegan beauty box
    Vegan celebs Daniella Monet and Evanna Lynch are the wonder duo behind subscription beauty box service Kinder Beauty, and whether you give a single delivery or a year-long gift of monthly goodies, each box is guaranteed to spark joy.
  8. Vegan food delivery
    Cooking at the end of a long workday is a pleasure for some, and a burden for others. For the person on your list who falls into the latter category, why not spoil them with a week of chef-curated vegan meals delivered straight to their door from Veestro?
  9. Coconut butter body balm
    Luxury comes in many guises, and for me, it can be as simple as pampering myself with quality skincare. I love the rich texture of Ellovi’s luxe coconut-based balms, and the way it makes me feel, inside and out. Everyone who tries them is an instant fan!
  10. Ceremonial cacao kit
    Introducing others to the magic of cacao is one of my life’s little joys. It has changed my life in so many ways, supporting my wellbeing, making me feel nourished, and opening my heart. With a cacao kit, you can be that person giving the life-changing gift of cacao!
  11. For that person with an insatiable sweet tooth
    I love sweet treats, and I love to gift sweet treats. And after the mayhem that was the last two years, we could all use a little something special! Thankfully, bakeries and chocolatiers are now shipping their desserts nationwide, and these delicacies are 100-percent vegan, 100-percent indulgent, and 100-percent delicious.
  12. A cake from Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen
    These cakes have everything going for them: they’re gorgeous to look at, are scrumptious solo or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, and are made with care at a small, woman-owned company. Whomever you gift one to will taste the love!
  13. Good Girl Chocolate
    There’s quality deliciousness in every bite of these small-batch, gourmet vegan chocolates. My absolute favorite are the luscious pecan scotchies made with Tahitian vanilla. I recommend doubling up and giving yourself a box, too. You deserve it!
  14. A box of Naughty Cookies
    The name is deceiving: these vegan cookies are 100-percent nice! We gave boxes to all of our writers and contributors for the holidays and the feelings were unanimous: these rich and gooey cookies are absolute bliss. 
  15. For the loved one suffering from wanderlust 
    These last two years haven’t been easy on most of us, but for our friends and family who live to travel, it's been particularly challenging. These special splurges will make them forget how long they had to wait to hit the road.
  16. A weekend at The Stanford Inn
    What could be more wonderful than a relaxing weekend at a cozy vegan inn on the rugged Northern California coast? Each suite is equipped with a log-burning fireplace, a deck and fabulous views, and the copious breakfasts are to die for!
  17. A VegNews Vacation in 2022!
    If someone on your list has always dreamed of visiting Paris, or experiencing a yoga retreat, or reveling in the warmth and tropical beauty of Thailand, a VegNews Vacation is the ideal gift! Incredible vegan food and new friends are just two of the many perks.
  18. For that health-obsessed family member
    If there’s one thing that last year taught us, it’s that our health is the most important thing we’ve got. Our healthy-living friends and family are ahead of the game on this, but we can honor them for having good sense with these lifestyle-supporting gift ideas.
  19. A subscription to the VegNews Ultimate Vegan Meal Planner
    Practical gifts sometimes make the best gifts, including this one! It’s more than a meal-planner; it’s also a customized recipe hub, a budgeting tool, and support system complete with live food coaching.
  20. A smoothie delivery
    Good intentions don’t always translate to good habits, but you can support anyone on their health journey by gifting them a smoothie delivery service from Daily Harvest. My fave, the Mint + Cacao, is made with whole foods but tastes like mint-chip ice cream. Healthy and heavenly!
  21. Vegan cheesecakes
    If there was ever a doubt about whether healthy living and indulging in desserts were mutually compatible, Nabati cheesecakes can settle the debate once and for all! Made with almonds, cashews, dates, and other natural ingredients, each cake is a healthy indulgence worth sharing.
  22. For the vegan connoisseur on your list
    We’ve all got that one person in our lives for whom only the best of the best will do, especially when it comes to what they consume. For that special vegan, there is no shortage of top-tier treats that will send their spirits soaring when they unwrap their holiday goodie box. 
  23. Miyoko’s Creamery artisan vegan cheeses 
    Putting this gift together is a joy in and of itself! Choose a cheese wheel or two (try the Classic Chive or Smoked English Farmhouse), pick out a special bottle of wine and some gourmet crackers, and tuck them into a pretty basket. Voila! 
  24. A vegan restaurant gift card
    Supporting vegan restaurants is critical to their survival, even in the best of times, but is even more crucial post global lockdowns. Giving a gift of a prepaid gift card to the recipient’s favorite local spot is always a win-win. 
  25. A Wine Gift Box from Frey Vineyards
    Long before vegan wines became their own category at Trader Joe’s, Frey Vineyards was proudly producing delicious reds, whites, and rosés from organic grapes. Have a box shipped to the oenophile in your life—or anyone in need of a good glass of wine. 
  26. A bottle of Baileys Almande
    This sweet almond-flavored, adults-only elixir transforms hot cocoa and winter lattes into something ultra festive. The creative cook in your life might even be tempted to add a splash or two to their next batch of cupcakes or other baked treats.
  27. Luxury French chocolates
    The woman behind this incredible chocolate brand grew up in Paris, and brings all her French savoir faire to the chocolate-making table. Vegan truffles, clusters, and bars are sweetened with maple syrup, so it’s easy to create a mix-and-match gift box.
  28. For the friend who has everything
    For that someone in your life who is impossible to shop for because they already have everything, gift-giving can be a challenge. These evergreen ideas are fool-proof, and make great gifts all year round.  
  29. A copy of The VegNews Guide to Being a Fabulous Vegan
    Veganism is an adventure, and this incredible book is the perfect guide, wherever you happen to be on the journey. With plant-based recipes, chapters on fitness and nutrition, dating advice, and more, there’s a little something for everyone in this classic-in-the-making!
  30. A gift certificate to Vegan Essentials
    They’ve been serving the vegan community for nearly a quarter-century, so they not only know their stuff, but have literally every vegan product you can imagine in stock! From basics like chocolate and vitamins to vegan fried eggs and doughnuts, the sky’s the limit for one spectacular vegan shopping spree.
  31. A vegan tee from Herbivore Clothing
    A t-shirt emblazoned with a vegan message is a right of passage for most people of the plant-based persuasion, and whatever sentiment one could hope to express you’ll find splashed across the front of Herbivore Clothing Co.’s high-quality tees and sweatshirts. Finding just the right slogan for your giftee is part of the fun!
  32. A subscription to VegNews!
    I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the most practical yet fun and inspiring gift of them all: a year of VegNews! You might want to get everyone on your list the gift that keeps on giving—travel, recipes, news, interviews, and so much more, all jam-packed into every gorgeous issue.

ColleenHolland.HealthyVeganSignature