How To Have a Very Merry Vegan X-Mas

Thanks to the flexitarian boom, supermarkets have been increasingly boosting their plant-based ranges. In 2018 Morrison offered 8 Christmas Vegan items, and due to the results, it’s 45 this year.  

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Although it’s only recently become a trend, Veganism was actually founded in the 40s. Originally called ‘non-dairy vegetarianism’, it’s definition was amended in the 80s to ‘seek and end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man’.  

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As we can see, Veganism goes well beyond just what you eat, and with so many vegan-friendly alternatives and substitutes now out there, we explore some of the best ways to be vegan-kind this Holiday Season.  

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Vegan Decorations and Gifts  

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Asking whether Christmas decorations are vegan might sound akin to asking whether butter is a carb. However, depending on how strict a vegan you consider yourself, not all ornaments are created equal.

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It’s important to be aware of which products contain some of the less obvious animal materials, for example even most types of glue! Read the fine print on labels from clothes, beauty products, and common gifts like chocolate.  

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When it comes to clothing, there are a whole host of interesting leather alternatives, from pineapple and apple leather from brands like Luxtra, to mushroom and Hemp. However Faux Fur should generally be avoided, some companies still use real fur and actually mislabel their products, and the plastic used in faux trimmings is not great for the environment as it often separates in the wash.  

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Although sheered sheep are often not harmed during the process, woollen products are also generally considered non-vegan. Animal-friendly alternatives include cotton and bamboo, but not silk, which is produced by silk worms.  

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Candles add a festive touch to any room, but most of them contain beeswax or animal-derived stearic-acid (a fatty substance from the stomach of a pig). Opt for soy-based candles, or sheabutter and essential-oil based massage candles from brands like Yūgenial. Alternatively you could try flameless LEDs to maintain that low-lit glow for longer.  

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Luckily, the wrapping paper and most decorations besides wool and feather can stay, but for a more eco-friendly version, use old newspaper for a kitsch feel, embellished with bits of nature like pine cones and ferns for a touch of seasonal elegance. What should be noted, is that most sticky tapes and decorative adhesive are not vegan. Both Scotch and 3M test on animals, so alternatives would be brands like Gorilla Glue, Elmer’s glue, or a tight wrapping of twine. If in doubt, make your own!  

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Vegan Recipes  

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As a vegan, one of the first questions you probably get asked is ‘what do you eat then?’ and believe it or not, there are more turkey alternatives than the classic nut roast. Renowned chef Jamie Oliver has a whole section of his website dedicated to the ideal animal-activist dinner, and there are a number of other specialist resources such as The Vegan Recipe Club.  

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You can roast almost anything including aubergine, cauliflower, mushroom, pepper or squash and stuff it with basmati rice, tomato, chestnuts, onion and garlic as an impressive baked centre piece. Think root-vegetable fritters, crispy asparagus bundles, or hearty vegetable pies.  

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Most supermarkets now sell vegan gravy like Bouillon, or you can easily make your own using the water from roasted vegetables, with a dash of marmite, tomato puree and vegetable stock.  If its bread sauces and brandy butters you can’t do without, the same recipes can still be used, by replacing any butter or cream with dairy alternatives like coconut or soy milk. Cooking vegan desserts is easier than you think, with most recipes substituting milk and eggs for healthy replacements like mashed avocado, banana, black beans and courgette. The candied orange peel, iced ginger bread and even chocolate fondant can remain a staple.  

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It’s the season to be vegan  

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Veganism is a growing movement and a small part of what constitutes a more conscious way of living. The average family will throw away 10% of their Christmas meal, with an estimated £64 million pounds worth wasted annually in the UK in total. There’s something about the festivities that leads to bulk buying and excess, so why not make a more mindful effort to buy less and use more.  

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Whether it’s your first Christmas as a vegan, or you’re a well seasoned veteran, there’s never been a better time or time of year to explore some alternative and interesting new ideas, recipes and activities for a more consciously curated Christmas.  

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