Gift shopping for a vegan can be a bit daunting for the uninformed. Before going vegan myself, I honestly had no idea how many common products were not vegan.
While most people can’t help but love receiving gifts, receiving a non-vegan gift can be quite awkward for someone vegan. They’ll either pretend to like the gift and give it away later, or have to admit that it’s unfortunately not vegan.
Luckily, there are now tons of vegan gift alternatives to traditional gift ideas, like candles and chocolate. There are also tons of great gift ideas that are accidentally vegan.
Common gift ideas that are often not vegan:
- Candles – candles are typically made from beeswax. Opt for soy-based candles
- Anything made from leather – make sure you’re buying faux-leather, otherwise known as pleather
- Beauty & personal care products – Check the back label to make sure that the product is cruelty-free / not tested on animals
- Candy – Check the ingredients list to make sure that there is no gelatin in the ingredients
- Desserts – Make sure that the desserts do not contain milk ingredients, egg, butter, honey or gelatin
To make gift shopping for a vegan a lot easier, we’ve curated some of the best vegan gift ideas available in Canada in 2023.
Vegan Problems Coloring Book
This snarky adult coloring book is filled with immersive geometric designs accompanied by problems that every vegan can relate to. It’s the perfect gift for a vegan with a good sense of humor.
NUTR Vegan Milk Maker
With the rising cost of non-dairy milk across Canada, a nut milk maker just might be the perfect gift for a vegan. The NUTR nut milk maker is especially awesome since it can make pretty much any non-dairy milk in just a few minutes.
Yonanas Vegan Soft Serve Dessert Maker
The Yonanas lets you turn frozen fruit into deliciously creamy soft serve sorbet or ice cream. It’s a great gift for that health-conscious friend with an undeniable sweet tooth.
Avocado Tree Growing Kit
We’ve all been there: eager to turn that avocado seed into a lucious tree but can’t find the toothpicks or the perfect sized container. This simple Avocado Growing Kit makes it easier than ever to turn that seed into a plant in just 3 to 6 weeks.
Instant Pot Pro
Whether it’s the convenience of quickly preparing dried beans or the amount of jackfruit Instant Pot recipes out there, there’s no doubt that Instant Pots are trending in the vegan community! Gift your beloved vegan the convenience of an Instant Pot.
Vegan Snacks Gift Box
Snack Attack’s vegan gift basket is filled with a variety of 32 vegan and gluten-free snack items. It’s an exciting gift for a vegan and also a great way to discover the latest vegan snacks.
Soy Candle Making Kit
A soy-based candle making kit is a great vegan gift idea for someone creative. Not to mention, DIY crafting is also a rewarding way to keep your hands busy during a long winter quarantine.
Indoor Herb Garden Kit
Vegan or not, indoor herb gardens are an absolute must for home cooks living in Canada. The iDOO Hydroponics Garden Kit is amongst the best in its class with its LED-powered, soil-free, and automatic watering system.
TofuBud Tofu Press
Gift a vegan the luxury of making the most flavorful-packed tofu ever. A tofu press helps remove excess water from tofu, allowing it to better absorb marinades while also giving it the perfect texture.
Vegan Comfort Food Recipe Book
Created by the Canadian vegan foodie and influencer, Lauren Toyota, Comfort Classics is one of our favorite plant-based cookbooks out there. It’s a fantastic gift for someone who loves to cook and has a sweet spot for comfort food.
Vegan Hot Chocolate
As a Canadian, there’s always an occasion for a soothing cup of hot chocolate. Add a bag of vegan marshmellows to the gift along with a festive mug and you’ve got yourself a cute gift package for a lukcy someone.
Whiskey & Rum Barrel Aged Coffee Set
This artisanal coffee is made from batches of Sumantra-sourced coffee beans that have been aged in barrels that were previously used for making whiskey. It’s a great gift for a coffee connoisseur and whiskey lover.
Lemon & Vanilla Bean Soy Candle
This Lemon & Vanilla Bean Soy Candle will freshen up any space. It’s slow burning and can easily be sealed after every use,
Reusable Bamboo Cutlery Set
Whether they’re vegan or not, a reusable cutlery set is a useful eco-conscious gift. It even comes with a cute carrying case and a straw cleaner.
Vegan Ceramic Mug
If you’re looking for a “safe” and budget-friendly gift idea for a vegan, this unique vegan ceramic mug is the way to go. Also, who doesn’t appreciate a big mug?!
