How to Shop Like a Vegan-Feminist
In light of the holiday season, here are some tips to ensure your shopping is ethical.
Vegan-Feminism is an applied moral philosophy that shifts your lifestyle accordingly. Yes, you eat differently, wear different clothes, and engage in different forms of entertainment, but it’s so much more than that.
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love to bake pies, buy gifts, and score the cutest recycled wrapping paper. However, I didn’t always shop according to my belief system. There were many years when I bought fast fashion for my friends and family or purchased something that I only found out later wasn’t vegan-friendly. Thus, this guide was born to help you make better choices this holiday.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are an easy gift, especially for the women in your life. Finding 100% vegan and cruelty-free cosmetic companies can be challenging. Here are some of my favorites:
Makeup:
Haircare:
Bodycare:
Nailcare:
Perfume:
“Cruelty-free” cosmetic companies to avoid:
Aveda
Aveda claims to be 100% vegan and “cruelty-free,” yet their parent company tests on animals.
Lush Cosmetics
Lush prides itself on its “cruelty-free” status yet refuses to leave the bees alone and go completely vegan.
Companies that actually care about animal rights would be 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They would also proudly display their love for animals on their website, packaging, social media, and all other platforms. If you’re searching and can’t find a certain company’s values, they probably don’t have any.
Clothing
Whether you’re looking to stuff a stocking with socks and gloves or buying someone a fancy winter coat, here are the companies that really care about animals:
“Cruelty-free” clothing companies to avoid:
Companies that pride themselves on their “sustainability” but are not vegan.
Companies that drop-ship their items.
Companies that offer vegan collections but are not fully vegan.
Companies that actually care about the environment, people, and animals would be 100% vegan, utilize sustainable practices, and pay their workers a livable wage. Always do your research. Remember: companies that implement sustainable and ethical practices have no reason to hide the good work they are doing. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on their ‘about’ page, they are probably not right for you.
Kitchenware/Homeware
When in the market for kitchenware or homeware as a gift, the first place you should shop is your cupboard. My cabinet is filled with Tupperware, and my closet is stuffed with throw pillows. I haven’t used those throw pillows in years, and most of my spatulas are collecting dust. If you can gift someone something you already have, not only is it more sustainable, but it is also more sentimental. My flour, sugar, coffee, and tea jars are from my Grandmother’s kitchen, and I cherish them with all my heart.
If you don’t have anything that you can give away, your next stop should be the thrift store. The amount of great kitchenware and homeware items that get thrown out from thrift stores should be illegal. So many quality pieces sit on the shelf, collecting dust. Not only will you save some money, but you’ll also save that item from ending up in a landfill. By buying something pre-loved, you can cherish it more, brag about your amazing find, and contribute less waste to the environment. Just make sure to wash anything before gifting!
Cooked Meals
Bringing someone a homemade vegan meal is truly the perfect gift! Cooking a cozy fall or winter meal for someone you love shows them you care deeply about them, their health, and their happiness. Here are some tips to make it extra special:
Learn their allergies.
The last thing you want is to make someone a beautiful dish and have them unable to eat it (without a terrible reaction). My sister-in-law is allergic to all nuts and coconuts, meaning my famous pumpkin pie recipe needed to be tweaked. Learn the common swaps or find a new recipe that they can enjoy.
Practice the recipe before gifting.
The second worst thing you would want when baking or cooking for someone else is for it not to taste good. With plenty of time before the gift exchange, perhaps a week or a few days, make the recipe for your household. Not only will you get the hang of the recipe and learn from any mistakes along the way, but you will also be able to taste-test the recipe to ensure your recipient will love it!
Deliver the gift in non-returnable ‘packaging.’
To really stand out, give your loved one their meal in a dish you wouldn’t mind going without. This will free up the responsibility of them returning the container and let them think of you every time they use that receptacle going forward! Bonus points if it’s a beautiful and homey piece of kitchenware from the thrift store!
Sweet Treats
My mother always stuffed my sister’s and my stockings with candy, usually Christmas-themed M&Ms and Reece mini cups. Obviously, those days of cruelty are over, but I’d still like to give candy as a gift this year. Here are some of my favorite proudly vegan candy companies:
This vegan gummy candy company based in Germany proudly displays its love for animals on its website and packaging. You can find it at World Market, Walgreens, or on the official website.
No Whey! Foods offer vegan copycat versions of the candies and chocolates you loved before discovering a cruelty-free lifestyle. They have their own version of Hershey’s Kisses, Twix Bars, Reeces Peanut Butter Cups, and more. They even have seasonal treats to get you in the Christmas spirit!
Cocomels Caramels are the first vegan caramel candy that actually tastes like caramel. The texture is fantastic! With several different flavors and forms, there is certainly a kind for everyone. They are even sold at major retailers like Walmart.
Candy companies to avoid:
“Accidentally vegan” candy
If a candy happens not to contain animal products, that doesn’t make it vegan. Common “accidentally vegan” candies like Sour Patch Kids are owned by non-vegan parent companies that sell candies and treats that cause animal suffering. Not to mention, Sour Patch Kids contains gelatin in the UK.
Hershey’s
Just because Hershey's offers plant-based Reece’s cups and chocolate bars does not make them vegan. In fact, Hershey’s abuses countless animals every day because of its overwhelming number of non-vegan products. Do you want your money to go to them?
YumEarth
Almost everything from this brand is vegan, yet their gummy bears are not. If they really cared about animals, they would find a recipe that works. Vegan gummies are very possible; look at Katjes!
We should give our hard-earned money to companies that agree with our values as much as possible, not brands that ‘branch out’ to make bigger profits.
Overall, I wish you a wonderful holiday season. I know this year can make a lot of us feel lonely because many of our family members live cruelty-filled lives. I know this year may be especially difficult for those of you who have cut off family members and friends who voted for someone who wants to take away your rights (in the USA). I hope you find comfort and kindness in whatever you choose to do this holiday season. My love is with you, always!