Can you believe we’ve made it to Christmas? Give yourself a pat on the back for making it to the end of 2021! While some approach the end of the year ready to rest, a lot of us actually get a lot busier during the holiday season. Preparing for gifts, parties, food… it can all be a lot!
In these festive times it’s so important for us to take care of ourselves. As we nurture ourselves, it is equally as important that we nurture the people around us, and ultimately the spaces we occupy.
This year, why not try a vegan Christmas? Going vegan doesn’t necessarily mean eating plant-based foods, but also being mindful of the products we buy and use. By having a vegan Christmas, it minimises harm done to animals, the environment, and even ourselves in what we put into our bodies.
Here is our ultimate guide on planning a vegan Christmas!
1. Vegan gifts
Gifts are a huge part of the holiday season. Sadly, many gifts put animals on the losing end of our celebrations. If you’re opting for cosmetics, do a quick Google search on the brand to see if it’s cruelty free. While it may not have animal products in it directly, staying away from brands that test on animals is always a good idea.
For clothes and accessories, stay away from leather, fur and any other material that comes from an animal. A deeper dive into it would be to get clothes with organic materials that don’t destroy animal ecosystems. If all this is new to you, a great option would be to gift an experience instead, like a dinner to a vegan restaurant, or a coupon to a vegan grocery store.
2. Vegan food
Food is a big part of celebrations, especially in Malaysia. If you’re making food, it’s a given to stay away from meat and animal produce like milk and eggs. You might be thinking that this leaves out all the yummy stuff, but there are excellent vegan alternatives to, like, everything! It’s not just salads out here, we promise.
If you’re not much of a chef and are opting to order or buy food, it’s always good to check the ingredients to ensure that there are no animal products in it. This is a great time to get creative with your food choices, and even a time to create new holiday traditions around food!
3. Vegan decor
Decorations are a lesser thought-of aspect if you think about a vegan Christmas, but no less important. Wool is a popular material used in Christmas decorations; try straying away from that and opt for organic cotton, or even something handmade from paper or cardboard.
You’d be surprised to know that some Malaysians opt for real Christmas trees instead of fake ones too! A fake tree is convenient, but is more harmful to the environment (& ultimately animals) when it’s being produced. Opt for places where the real tree can be returned after the festive season is over, where it can then be cut and repurposed.
Going fully vegan may be difficult, but doing it imperfectly is better than not doing it at all. Happy holidays, LIVLOLA fam!
