The holidays are here, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift maybe I can help. Below are ten items that I think anyone who reads this site would appreciate. They all keep vegansim in mind and many are also environmentally conscious. These are things I’ve either used myself over the past year or that come highly recommended from reliable sources. I’m not a big gift guy, but I’d be very happy if I received any of these, and I think the people on your shopping list might, too. And if you have any other ideas, drop them in the comments below!
PHOTO: Ten Thousand
FAR Beanie
Ten Thousand, $38.00
I never thought I’d recommend clothing to anyone since I’m super minimal about what I wear. But I picked up this beanie a few months back and absolutely love it. I always struggle with hats like this because they eventually stretch out and no longer fit well. So far though, after wearing it over and over again, the FAR beanie has kept its shape perfectly. It’s very high quality and the company that makes it, Ten Thousand, really puts a lot of thought and design into their products. They also have a focus on environmental impact as well. This particular item, which was designed by plant-based podcaster Rich Roll, is made from EcoVero (a material crafted of sustainable wood from controlled sources) and polyester. It’s an ideal gift for an athlete or anybody who spends a lot of time outdoors.
Give A Shit
Ashlee Piper, $16.99
This book is just awesome. It’s a comprehensive guide to living a simpler, more mindful and eco-friendly life. Ashlee Piper’s voice is both funny and informative, which makes it a blast to read. She covers everything from the micro (like personal beauty, diet, and home) to the macro (travel and activism), and a whole lot in between. In a world where the environmental outlook seems dimmer by the day, Give A Shit is an excellent primer on how you, the individual, can do your part by taking the right personal actions everyday. This should be required reading.
PHOTO: Spruce + Pine
Zero Waste Kit
Spruce + Pine, $45.00
Most of us are concerned about the environment and probably try to take at least small steps here and there to lighten our impact. That’s why I love this Zero Waste Kit from Spruce + Pine so much. It focuses on little things we do every day—grocery shopping, eating, and cleaning—to make them more eco-friendly. Made from bamboo, stainless steel, and custom-printed cotton, this little gift can make a big impact.
PHOTO: Lettuce Grow
Lettuce Grow Farmstand
$348.00–649.00
This is by far the most expensive gift on this list, but well worth it. The Lettuce Grow farmstand is a marvel of modern farming. It uses a hydroponic method to produce just about anything you can think of that you’d like to eat. Over the past year I’ve grown everything from kale and lettuce to tomatoes and strawberries, to fennel and a dozen herbs. I can honestly say it’s one of the best investments I’ve made over the past ten years. Obviously the farmstand is very environmentally friendly—it uses less water than traditional farming; the only travel the food makes is from the stand to your kitchen, and each unit is produced from recycled, ocean-bound plastic. Plus, the crop yields are high and quick, and it only requires about ten minutes of maintenance each week at most. If you’re looking for a higher end gift that makes an impact this holiday season, the farmstand is for you. And you can use this code for $50 off, too: FRIEND-6EYR
PHOTO: Blue Bottle Coffee
Hairo Cold Brew Bottle
Blue Bottle Coffee, $35.00
Blue Bottle Coffee Company produces some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. It’s rich, full-bodied, and straight-up delicious. Plus, the company puts sustainability at the forefront in myriad ways: product sourcing, making oat milk the default “dairy” in their drinks, and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2024, among other things. If you have a Blue Bottle location near you, make time to pay them a visit. And if you don’t, that’s where this Hairo Cold Brew Bottle comes in. It’s a really easy way to make some delicious cold brew coffee in the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is add coffee and water and wait. Plus, Blue Bottle has a subscription service which will ensure that you always have what you need in the cupboard.
Rio Ceramic 12″ Frypan
Green Pan, $44.95
Every cook needs a good frypan, right? I’ve been using this one from Green Pan for a few months now and haven’t looked back. It has a ceramic nonstick coating that’s made without all the bad things like PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, and it’s a breeze to clean. It’s oven safe up to 350°F too!
Hungry Root Meal Kit
$69.00–129.00
I haven’t tried a lot of meal delivery kits, but Laura and I received a Hungry Root subscription as a gift last year and I was pleasantly surprised. There’s almost no work involved when the box shows up, and you can get very specific about the meals you’d like to have delivered. I was able to select all kinds of plant-based, nut-free dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And over the several months we used the service it never got repetitive. Some of the things we enjoyed were the Vegan Chorizo, Black Bean, and Butternut Plate, the Gingery Tofu Rainbow Wrap, and the Green Chile Butterbean Tacos. Sounds delicious, right? Plus, if you sign up now there’s a discounted rate and you get a free gift in every box. This is perfect for the beginning of the year when the hectic energy of the holidays leaves you not wanting to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
PHOTO: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Vegan Cooking Class with Chef Linda
Catskill Animal Sanctuary, $45.00
If you do want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I highly recommend a cooking class with Chef Linda. She is the on-staff chef at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, and her plant-based creations are legendary! These classes are virtual and you can either cook along or save it for later. I took the Thanksgiving class and it was wonderful. We made a butternut squash Wellington, scalloped potatoes, and a chocolate tart. Doesn’t that sound amazing? These are the kinds of amazing dishes Chef Linda offers up every time—always easy and delicious. So if you have someone who’d love to learn a little more about plant-based cooking, this is the perfect gift. And—even better—if you become an annual member of Catskill Animal Sanctuary you get one class for free!
PHOTO: Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary 2022 Calendar
$11.99
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is home to some really incredible animals. I was able to visit a few times over the past few months and whenever I’m there it just feels like such a happy place. It’s so great to interact with all the sheep, goats, cows, turkeys, and other animals reside there. Their personalities are all so unique and fun to be around. But if you’re not nearby, you can bring these unique animals into your home or office with the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary 2022 calendar. Photographed by the incredibly talented Bridget Laudien, both the wall and desk versions of this calendar bring you twelve months of beautiful images of the sanctuary residents. And all proceeds go right back to caring for the animals.
Allowed to Grow Old
Isa Leshko, $40.00
I can’t recommend this beautiful book enough. Isa Leshko’s mission with Allowed to Grow Old is such an inspiring and thought-provoking one. The stunning portraits in this book (along with the beautiful writing) tell a story of cows, chickens, horses, goats, and others who’ve lived long lives—mostly at sanctuaries throughout America. What makes this so unique is that in today’s world of factory farming almost no animals have that luxury. These subjects are the exception, not the rule. I love that Isa is using her beautiful photography and writing to make readers understand this. Allowed to Grow Old is as much a statement of activism as it is art, and that’s what makes it so powerful and important. This is a gift for everyone.
I hope these holiday gift ideas are useful. I’ve never done anything like this on the site before, but I thought it could be fun and maybe helpful to someone. I’ll also add a little bonus thought: animal sanctuary memberships and donations make wonderful gifts. These places, which if you’ve spent any time following me here on social media you know are close to my heart, are filled with people who work their tails off to constantly raise money for their residents. It’s an inspiring group of people who put in countless hours and sweat equity, all to help the lucky animals who’ve been taken into their care, often from horrible conditions. Check out my ever-growing list of sanctuaries here, and consider gifting a membership or donating in someone’s name if you’re stuck for a last-minute gift. Every dollar helps.
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