11 Vegan Gifts for Your Healthy Holiday
Updated: Dec. 06, 2022
From vegan edible treats to plant-based self-care products, these stocking stuffers will satisfy even the pickiest people on your shopping list this holiday season.
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With more and more people choosing to go vegan or even just dabbling in a plant-based lifestyle for health or environmental reasons, chances are you have someone on your shopping list this holiday season who won’t want to receive animal byproducts. Whether it’s a family member, friend, co-worker or partner, it can be tricky to find the just-right gift for their needs and preferences—so we did the work for you. The Healthy @Reader’s Digest has come up with an array of vegan gifts you can buy for the vegan in your life to make your holiday shopping easier than ever.
Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels
Love caramel chews but need a plant-based version? Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels are the answer. Not only are they a great vegan gift, they’re also gluten-free and made without corn syrup, so you can feel good while satisfying your sweet tooth. “These have a sweet chocolate flavor, with a hint of sea salt, said reviewer Auntie Pedantic. “No strange additive taste like some vegan sweets. Great as a gift to your favorite vegan or to keep for yourself.”
Peppermint No No’s
No Whey Peppermint No No’s chocolate peppermint bite-sized discs are a vegan version of peppermint M&M’s. These small candies are ideal for plant-based eaters, as well as for anyone who is sensitive to lactose; 5-star reviewer TechSavvy said, “These are an absolute MUST for people with a dairy allergy! These are the closest to M&Ms that we have found so far.” So if you’re craving chocolate peppermint candy or know plant-based folks who love this flavor, consider slipping a pack of these tasty morsels in their stocking.
UNREAL Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
UNREAL Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups make for a wonderful plant-based stocking stuffer and a delicious treat. “Great vegan substitute for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups,” said reviewer Erica Levine. “Really delicious!” Each bag contains six individually wrapped cups, so you can spread the cheer to multiple people or stash them away for when a craving hits. These are also wonderful for anyone who has allergies to typical ingredients in candy. Reviewer Elizabeth Woolery, who is allergic to artificial sweeteners said, “These are delicious!! Exceeded all of my expectations.”
Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit
For the green-thumbed plant-based person on your list, consider filling their stocking with a creative vegan gift like a mushroom grow kit from Back to the Roots. Not only will they have delicious oyster mushrooms to eat, they get to participate in the process–you can’t get closer than homegrown. Mushrooms grow quickly, too, so the recipient will be harvesting in no time– usually within a week as long as the kit is placed near a window or area with indirect sunlight and is misted a couple of times a day. “I have already purchased a second one and highly recommend these kits,” says a happy reviewer.
Oyster mushrooms are versatile and known for being a fuss-free mushroom to grow. Plus, they have an ideal texture to use as a substitute for any classic meat based recipes!
Louisville Vegan Jerky
Louisville Vegan Jerky Co helps satisfy all the BBQ jerky cravings for those who are vegan or plant-based and want a non-meat jerky substitute. Handmade in the United States in small batches, this jerky has a classic Carolina BBQ flavor with ingredients that are locally sourced and certified non-GMO. “It’s honestly the best vegan jerky I have tasted,” says reviewer Charles B. Another 5-star reviewer commented, “I am absolutely obsessed with this vegan jerky.” These jerky sticks are also gluten-free for anyone who may have gluten sensitivities.
Vegan Conditioning Coconut Lip Exfoliator
Handmade Heroes offers up a lip scrub made with only vegan and plant-based ingredients. You won’t find fragrance, parabens, synthetic chemicals or preservatives. Made with jojoba and avocado oil as well as coconuts, this scrub will leave your lips feeling silky and moisturized. Alex Myagkova‘s 5-star review reads, “Amazing! Love that it’s natural and smells and tastes good! Why did it take me this long to add lip exfoliation to my regular skincare routine? This has been a game changer and I use it daily for super soft lips.” Sounds like a good gift for everyone on your list!
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Pocket Latte
If you’re buying for someone on-the-go, Pocket Latte has the perfect stocking stuffer. Each square of chocolate has 100-150mg of caffeine, about the same as one cup of coffee. Made from 100% Arabica coffee, the Vegan Gift Pack comes in three unbelievably delicious flavors (Dark Roast, Hazelnut and Lavender Vanilla) that will give your loved one a jitter-free energy boost whenever they need it. Reviewer Christei Lindsay loved them, saying, “These are AMAZING! They give just the right amount of caffeine and have such a low amount of sugar!” (And if you’re looking for another plant-based treat sans the caffeine, Pocket Latte’s Choco Nuts, or almonds coated in oat milk chocolate, are a divine desk snack everyone needs in their life.)
Pow Adaptogens Wonder Matcha
If you’re shopping for someone who’s more of a tea person, you can’t go wrong with Pow Adaptogens Wonder Matcha. Combined with adaptogens, or herbs and mushrooms that can help your body manage physical and emotional stress, this matcha blend is designed to “increase your focus and productivity, while relieving stress and anxiety,” according to its website. Complete with a power whisk, this set will equip your loved one with everything they need to make their ideal matcha latte at home. 5-star reviewer Alexandra Magee sang Pow’s praises, writing, “This matcha has totally changed how I start my days. Truly works wonders; you get all the energy and focus without the jitters or the crash, not to mention it tastes great! I am totally hooked!”
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Joolies Organic Whole Medjool Dates
If you want to get creative while shopping for the caramel lover in your life, try Joolies Dates. They’re soft, sweet and chewy, plus they’re packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Reviewer lisa es is a big fan, writing, “Love the taste, freshness and price, great in smoothies, or just to eat!”
Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Roasted Broad Bean Snacks
Hear us out: once you try roasted fava beans, you’re never going back to potato chips, and neither is the healthy snacker in your life after you gift them these. Bada Bean Bada Boom’s crispy broad beans have 6g of protein and 4g of fiber in every snack-sized bag, and they come in every flavor you could crave, from sea salt and zesty ranch to spicy wasabi and sweet cinnamon. These are the perfect plant-based stocking stuffer, with 5-star reviewer Jayme Muller calling them, “The best crunchy snack for on-the-go! These pouches are the perfect size for travel or to throw in your bag! I will NEVER not have these stocked up at home. They have the best crunch and salty snack flavor. Even my initially skeptical brother-in-law loves them. He was begging for food one day and I had a bag in my purse. After almost turning down my ‘dried beans,’ he was shocked that he liked them so much!”
Táche Hot Chocolate Kit
Vegans deserve hot chocolate, too, and Táche’s Hot Chocolate Kit is the luxurious answer. Including two cartons of Táche’s creamy pistachio milk, vanilla bean marshmallows and discs of gourmet drinking chocolate with cardamom for a kick, every part of this plant-based stocking stuffer kit will help you give the gift of cozy, chocolatey indulgence. Nikki’s 5-star review reads, “I just made my first drink with this set and it is OUTSTANDING! The chocolate is a perfect taste (a little spicy, not too sweet) and the marshmallows are unlike any other I’ve had before! Of course, my Táche milk tasted incredible paired with these two. 10/10 recommend – would be a fab gift.”
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Originally Published: November 21, 2022
