And it's not about the presents or the commercial stuff (I kind of hate that).
It's that warm and fuzzy feeling you get seeing everything lit up with sparkly lights,
the magic in the air,
giving thoughtful gifts from the heart,
bundling up in layers upon layers of clothing (unless you live in SoCal),
and spreading more love to everyone!
So, since it's already mid-November, I'm itching to get the holiday festivities started!
This is basically me.
Ok, enough rambling. Let's get to the good stuff!
No matter what holiday you celebrate, or even if you want some ideas for yourself, you've come to the right place.
If you are an ethical shopper or there is a vegan in your life and you're totally lost when it comes to buying them a gift, HAVE NO FEAR.
I have compiled a few idears for ya!
Proceed...
Cruelty-Free Treats
Gotta get it started with food, obviously.
I recently heard of this company from a Vegan Cuts box that my sister got in the mail.
They're AMAZING.
100% of the profits go to animal rescues,
they're made from organic and fairly-traded ingredients,
they're vegan,
AND the wrappers are eco-friendly.
Oh yeah, and they delicious. I guess that matter, too.
It's a win-win-win-win!
(The catch: they're pretty expensive. But it's for a good cause!)
This is a really cool way to try and learn about a bunch of vegan food products
without the commitment of buying an entire bag of something that you don't know if you'll even like.
They send you 7-10 samples of vegan goodies!
You can either buy one box for $19.95 (includes free US shipping!)
or you can get a subscription for the year.
You can get this directly from their website with the link above,
or you can help a sister out (my sister, more specifically)
and go through her blog because she is an ambassador.
This isn't food, but you use it to make food, so it counts!
Raw vegans probably already have this, but you can use this baby to make veggie pasta!
You just stick a veggie like a zucchini in there, and it comes out spiraly!
Beauty Products
Lip balms:
First of all, these are adorable.
But that's not why I love them.
They are 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free.
And hey, they don't test on animals!!!
Available almost everywhere, including: Target, Walmart, Costco, & ULTA.
These come in a WIDE variety of flavors, and they all smell amazing.
These make my lips really soft, and that's important to me.
They even have unscented for them manly-men.
All-natural, cruelty-free, and vegan :)
Finally a lip balm that is as excited as I am about soft lips!
This is the brand that got me started on my cruelty-free & vegan lip balm kick.
They're a big glossier than the other two.
But they're still awesome and you can even find them at Mother's Market!
Makeup:
If you're looking for SUPER CHEAP yet quality makeup, this is your brand.
I wouldn't recommend everything they have,
but there are definitely some awesome products, and you can't beat the price.
Try the baked blushes, studio blushes, clear brow gel, studio brushes & acne-fighting foundation.
You can find some of these at Target, but they almost always have free shipping coupon codes
so I would recommend shopping on their website.
I'm a little bit obsessed with this mascara.
My friend bought it for me for my birthday, and I was blown away!
It makes your lashes super voluminous and long!
This company is also cruelty-free and they have so many great products!
(But it's on the more expensive side.)
Vegan Cuts also offers a beauty-related box with all kinds of cruelty-free and natural products!
It's the same price as the other one, but this one offers 4-7 products per month.
Again, you can purchase these from the above link or from my sister's blog :)
Other Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands:
NYX Cosmetics (available at ULTA and now Target!)
Smashbox
Urban Decay
Other Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands:
NYX Cosmetics (available at ULTA and now Target!)
Smashbox
Urban Decay
Hair Care/Lotions:
LOVE this company.
They offer everything from lotions to shampoos/conditioners to men's shaving cream to acne masks.
They use natural ingredients, don't use sulfates, and don't test on animals!
Available at Target and Walgreens.
On a side note, I would have recommended Bath and Body Works before, but I recently found out that none of their products are vegan :(
They don't test on animals, though.
Reading Material
$20 for a year's subscription!
There is a ton of great info in here and even recipes!
If you shop around and use a coupon code, you can probably even find a better deal.
Go through ebates and get cash back!
A Vegan Cookbook
There are tons of options for this! Just do a search on Amazon!
Any cookbook by Isa is pretty popular.
But I just have to say that the gingery pumpkiny cupcakes from Chef Chloe's cookbook
are gone the second I frost them in my house. Vegans and non-vegans a like devour these.
I will say, though, that her baking recipes are better than her cooking ones.
Luckily, she has a whole cookbook dedicated solely to baking!
Books
There are loads of great books out there about living more ethically.
Here are some suggestions:
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer (It might make you cry)
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell II (Straight facts)
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy
Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr (It's not a diet, but a lifestyle)
The Bond by Wayne Pacelle
Farm Sanctuary by Gene Baur
I'm also gonna throw some movies your way
Forks Over Knives (Very informative)
Vegucated (Graphic)
Practical Shutff
Who doesn't love hot girls?
Let's save the sea animals and environment by using reusable bags!
There are tons of these everywhere now.
You can find them at your favorite non-profit, too!
This can include water bottles, baggies, lunch boxes, you name it!
Conscious Box
This is similar to the Vegan Cuts boxes, but this one is for eco-friendly products, too!
They offer different boxes, such as:
beauty, food, health, home/garden, & conscious living!
Same price, too!
Conscious Box
They offer different boxes, such as:
beauty, food, health, home/garden, & conscious living!
Same price, too!
Activities
Perhaps you're move a do-er than an object-giver.
Trip to an Animal Sanctuary
Take someone to an animal sanctuary!
The animals are so cute and you get to see them the way they were meant to live!
Try Farm Sanctuary or Animal Acres!
Dine at a Vegan Restaurant
My absolute favorite thing to do is eat at Native Foods Cafe.
You can find veg restaurants near you by looking on Happy Cow or Yelp.
Gift Cards
For something quick and easy (and virtually any price), get a gift card to a grocery store they frequent.
Suggestions:
Trader Joe's
Mother's Market
Whole Foods
Sprouts
Donations
Make a donation in their name for a cause that they support!
Suggestions:
OR
"Adopt" an animal for them!
Free Gifts are the Best Gifts
You don't have to spend money to show someone you care.
You can offer anyone these things for the price of FREE!
-A hug
-A smile
-Your time
-A compliment
-An act of kindness
-Love
Look, I made a Christmas tree of kindness!
No matter if you're vegan, a tree hugger, an alien, or anything else....
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY and spread the love!
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY and spread the love!
And don't forget your reusable bag for your holiday shopping!
Other sites to check out for awesome gifts:
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