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With the holiday season fast approaching, the hunt for the Ultimate Holiday Gift is on, and this guide will push you in the right direction! Everyone knows that finding that special something for our loved ones is not that easy. You have to put a lot of thought and effort into finding the perfect present for your family and friends. If you are running out of ideas, check out our amazing roster of useful yet thoughtful gifts to give this merry season!
‘Tis the Season for Giving
The Christmas tree is up, the menorah out, my Chrismukkah playlist is on repeat, AND I am done with the amazing feat of completing my holiday shopping AND sending out our holiday cards—we are so ready! So, since I’m all set, I thought I’d help you out a bit with your gift hunting.
The key? Make a list and set your budget! Make a Santa list of people you will be giving gifts to and set a specific amount to spend. This will allow you to be more methodical in selecting what to buy for who. Jot down ideas based on their personalities and preferences before hitting the mall, or going online shopping. Believe me, this will make your life so much easier! The holidays are meant to be enjoyed after all!
Holiday Shopping Pro-tips
Before we go right into the list, here are some tips that will help you shop within your budget but still come up with some amazing items!
- First, I’ll start by saying that I want to normalize purchasing used gifts. And, actually, you can buy so many items that are new with tags. People (myself included) sometimes buy things they don’t end up using, and that’s where you swoop in and give it a new loving home—all while saving $$! This year, I used eBay and Poshmark mostly.
- Also, make sure to download the Rakutan app to save extra money. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars this year!
- On a tight budget this year? Spend your money wisely by being selective about who you buy gifts for. For the rest, surprise them with DIY Christmas presents instead. Make these adorable Vegan Holiday Cookies and place them in colorful boxes, tie with ribbons and send them off with a personalized card.
Our Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
Cookbooks
Is it okay that I start with my own books? Plant-Based on a Budget and The Friendly Vegan Cookbook are written with a welcoming and friendly tone and have photos with nearly all recipes. They are both well-reviewed too. This is an excellent gift for anyone who is considering eating more plant-based meals.
Here are other cookbooks that we highly recommend:
- The Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
- How Not to Die by Michael Greger MD
- Fuss Free Vegan by Sam Turnbull
- Chloe’s Kitchen by Chloe Coscarelli
Kitchen Gadgets
I can’t live without these helpful and efficient gadgets, they are literal life savers in the kitchen! So if you know someone who loves deliciously prepared food done the quickest time possible, then these would be awesome for them!
- Pressure cooker– This is by far the most used kitchen appliance. In fact, I have several of them! I can whip up wholesome meals quickly, cook dried beans and brown rice in less than half the time, and it’s also so perfect for soups, chilis, and curries! If you want to give a gift that will improve someone’s life, this is it!
- Airfryer- A few years ago for Hanukkah, my husband got an air fryer, and now we use it ALL the time. We use it for tofu, vegetables, fries, and vegan meats. It’s really helped us lessen our oil consumption without sacrificing taste.
- Cuisinart food processor– having this in one’s kitchen is a dream! Anyone who will get it from you will certainly give you a big hug! It cuts preparation time in half and makes life in the kitchen easier for cooking moms.
- Fancy Vitamix blender– if you know someone that is planning on making healthy smoothies, soups, juice, and purees for the following year, this is the perfect gift to give them! You can also opt to give an Immersion (hand-held) blender for a more space-saving alternative.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Kitchen
Not only will you be giving your loved ones a way to store and enjoy their food better, but you are also helping make the world a better place to live in!
- In my quest to become more eco-friendly, I started using these reusable produce bags. They’re washable, see-through, and a great gift or stocking stuffer for anyone trying to live greener.
- Reusable Stasher silicone ziplock bags –ideal for those who are into food prep! They are dishwasher, microwave, oven safe, and are 100% waste-free.
- Hydro Flask insulated water bottles and coffee mugs
- Glass straws set– or try bamboo straws too.
Subscription Boxes
These are great for busy bees who would love to get different products delivered to their doorsteps! I included promo codes that will help you stay within budget. You are welcome!
- Another fun gift is a start for an Imperfect Produce subscription box! This allows people to have a box of “imperfect produce” —not pretty enough to sell at the grocery store — delivered to their homes. It prevents food waste, saves people from making an unneeded trip to the grocery store, and best of all, it’s cheaper produce which saves money! Plus, you can save $10 using this link.
- Danielle Monet & Evanna Lynch’s Kinder Beauty box use the promo code KINDER10 to save $10 on your first order
- Thrive Market is also a great option for vegan specialty ingredients at low prices. Plus, if you sign up with this referral code, you’ll get 25% off your first order!
- And save $5 off of a VeganCuts snack box using the code PlantonBudget.
Gardening
I’ve been into gardening for quite some time now, and these are the items that I really love! So if you are looking for a nice present for a fellow green thumb, try these:
- Lettuce Grow vertical farmstand– I got this a while back and it’s been making me so happy! You can store it indoors or outdoors, it’s self-watering, self-fertilizing, and generally awesome. I don’t have a lot of space in my backyard, so I love that I can grow upward! Save $50 using this link.
- My Vego Garden beds are probably some of my favorite things I own. Plus, you can save 5% with my discount code!
- Indoor grow lights to start seedlings
- Wall hanging planters for the aspiring gardener who doesn’t have a lot of space. Can be hung on balconies and fences.
- Down to Earth vegan fertilizer
- Basic gardening tool set
- Mushroom Grow Kits
Stocking stuffers
Of course, our ultimate Holiday Gift Guide is not complete without these cute items to fill those stocking with!
- Woosh Beauty Makeup – Checks all the boxes! Vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic, clean, sustainable, easy, and affordable! They have something for everyone, regardless of makeup experience, skin type, or tone. Might I recommend the Jetsetter travel set that makes for a perfect gift!? Save 20% with code PLANTBASEDONABUDGET20.
- There’s something for everyone on your list at Rinse Bath & Body Co. from beautiful handmade soaps, to shower bombs, lip balms, lotions, scrubs, gift bundles, and more! Their small batch products are cruelty-free and made with care. Peppofoot is a moisturizing, relieving foot balm made for those who are on their feet all day. For those without a bathtub, grab the 4 Pack Shower Bombs for aromatherapy. And who isn’t always looking for lip balm? The Pucker Sticks are the perfect, 100% natural stocking stuffer that come in over 50 flavors! With festive holiday scents like Birch, Christmas Cookie, Pine, Peppermint, and Flannel, you can have fun selecting items for all of your loved ones.
- This cute cruelty-free stick on nail polish that my mom sells
- Sjaak’s Melk Chocolate Truffles assortment
- Rescue Chocolate bars (they donate profits to shelters)
- Herbivore “Be Kind” sticker
- Adorable “powered by plants” mug
