Give the Gift of Kindess........

Christmas was the season of fabulous dresses, getting your nails done, slapping on the false tan,  letting your loved ones lavish you in gifts and spending all your money right? Well it sort of is…. As fabulous as opening presents, eating fancy foods, getting more trussed up than the Tofeukey and having first world problems such as a broken nail can be -  the true meaning of Christmas giving can sometimes be lost amid the flurry of wrapping paper. Now don’t get me wrong I love the glamour of Christmas as much as the next person, my LBD is hung up ready for the big day and I have decked every hall with boughs of holly but sometimes we have to see past ourselves and remember Christmas isn’t that amazing for everyone. Part of being vegan (to me at least) means to also be a humanitarian. I truly believe life is a balancing act so alongside all the merriment I have tried to give back to those who need it most at this time of year and complied a little list of some of the small ways you may be able to help someone out -

Reverse Advent Calendar

This is the first year we have done this and we have LOVED it! So simple, so much fun and minimal hassle to do. Simply fill a box with 24 (as in there are 24 days of advent) food items and donate them to your local food bank so they can be distributed to families in your area who need them over Christmas. It is an easy accumulator as you can put just a few items extra in the weekly shop and before you know it the box is full and ready for donation. Double check what food items your local food bank needs before you start and that there is a drop off point you can get to.

Mission Christmas

You can't go shopping anywhere from the day after Halloween until Christmas without noticing an over flow of toys everywhere. But sadly not every child will have a gift to open on Christmas day. Statistics are scary – 1 in 5 children in the area I live are in poverty meaning the chances are high they will have nothing on the big day. This is why projects such as Mission Christmas are so important. The concept is simple – select one gift for a child in need, then take it to the local drop off point where volunteers work with local services to ensure the most needy children get a gift on Christmas day.

Give before receiving

Before Christmas morning, make room for new gifts by donating old or no-longer-used items in your home to charity / homeless shelter etc. While it might be tough at first for you to give away your old things, think of the happiness that may bring to people who need them.

Salute the brave

If you aren't already aware of the daily sacrifices the members of our military make, instill it in yourself right along with Christmas charity. Give 2 the Troops collects Christmas cards holiday books and movies, decorations, spiritual items and more, compiling care packages for members of the Armed Forces. While it may be hard for you personally to understand the concept of the military, it will likely be able to relate to missing home if you were far away.

Reach out to another generation

Spread cheer at local nursing home or hospitals by dropping off some cookies or fruit. Many residents of nursing homes don't have regular visitors — or any visitors at all. Call ahead first to determine if there are any dietary restrictions for the residents. Chances are, they'll be thrilled to have the company of new people – another option is creating a gift box to an elderly lonely person and this can be done through Help The Aged.

 

As you can see there are lots of small ways you can give before you received that take minimal time and money. If you really have no money (and I have been there) there are lots of free ways to give back – finding time for coffee with a friend, offering to wrap presents for an older person who is struggling to manage or just dropping a text to someone to see how they are. Christmas can be lonely and a simple text can make a big difference. Where ever you are and whoever you spend it with I hope it is all you want it to be and more– Merry Christmas!

The Vegan Christmas Survival Guide......

In recent years veganism has soared by 350% in the past decade, with more than half a million Britons adopting the lifestyle. I proudly joined this number nearly a year ago and am coming up to navigating my first Christmas period. Christmas can be a challenging time for vegans and their loved ones. Dinners, drinks and gifts which would be your crimbo norm (Baileys, tins of roses and pigs in blankets I am looking at you…)  can all present a problem as ingredients and materials may contain animal products without you being aware.

I am rising to the vegan Christmas challenge this year and cooking for my 7 favourite people (well 6 people and 1 very precious bump) which I am very excited about but wow has it been a journey! So in true Christmas spirit I have compiled a handy list on how to enjoy a vegan Christmas this year.

The luxury festive roast

Christmas dinner can be testing at the best of times, but preparing a meal to accommodate a vegan diet can be even more difficult to those not used to it. There are many delicious meat and dairy-free alternatives to the traditional turkey roast on the market these days. The Nut Roast is brimming with juicy nuts, pulses and porcini mushrooms, this wholesome dish serves as the perfect replacement to the traditional meat roast and is bound to be a hit with both vegans and omnivores. Although you may have given up meat, you may still crave the taste or texture of it. When a nut roast just doesn’t seem adequate, Tofurky’s vegetarian feast can satisfy your craving. Although described as “vegetarian”, the roast is suitable for vegans and the 2lb stuffed Tofurky roast is made with organic non-genetically engineered soybeans. They also make ‘pigs in blankets’ which I am excited to try this year.

 Cake and sweets

 Just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you need to forgo sugary treats. There are vegan alternatives to Christmas pudding, whether you want to cook your own or buy one. Mince pies can also be suitable for vegans. Keen bakers can make their own or check the packaging of store bought products.  You could buy a fancy Christmas tin (mine was 59p from Home Bargains) and fill it will SFV sweeties in place of your tins of Quality Street. Perfect for nibbling post festive feats snooze!

Alcohol

Many people are still  unaware that alcohol is not always suitable for vegans. This is because some products may have been made using animal-derived products, such as fish oil, egg, isinglass and gelatin. Most supermarkets now specify if their alcohol is suitable for vegans. Whether you feel like treating yourself to a bottle of wine or want to give a bottle of champagne to a loved one this Christmas, there’s a great selection of alcohol, including beers and spirits, available at your local supermarket. My new favourite is the M&S Butter Scotch liqueur – tastes just like Baileys but it is SFV. Winning!  

 Cosmetics and toiletries gifts

 Many cosmetics and toiletries still contain animal ingredients and are tested on animals. But there is still a wealth of both budget and luxury brands available on the high street (Lush I am looking at you) and online that are vegan friendly and cruelty free. Beauty Without Cruelty’s makeup range is extensive and has a range of products to choose from. The leaping bunny logo is a sure way to know whether a product is tested on animals. Cruelty Free International lists all of its certified cruelty free products online in an easy-to-use search portal. People for the ethical treatment of animals (Peta) also has a searchable database of companies that do and do not test their products on animals. Animal Aid’s online store features a range of makeup and toiletries that are vegan and not tested on animals.

Clothing as gifts

Fur, leather, suede, wool, silk and down are not suitable for those who have adopted a vegan lifestyle. Checking items of clothing and accessories before purchase will save accidentally buying garments with animal products in them and there are many animal-free alternatives available. Although animal free alternatives can be found in most high street stores, this list of some of the best vegan fashion brands shows just how many cruelty-free accessories are available. Many fashion stores also used sweatshops in poorer countries to produce garments for British consumers. Employees at these factories are often forced to work in dire conditions for long hours and with very low pay. A guide by the Ethical Consumer shows how high street brands fair in the way they treat their employees. There are also a wealth off brands such as Votch, Nat and Matt and Rocket Dog which make great SFV products.

Pets as gifts

 ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.’

 The Dogs Trust’s slogan is as relevant now as when it was first coined 38 years ago. Adrian Burder, Dogs Trust chief executive, said: “There is no denying that we’re a nation of animal lovers, but sadly sometimes that love can blind people and they may rush into getting a dog, often without ample research or even rushing into a last minute online purchase.” Dogs Trust sees a flurry of animals abandoned when the appeal of a cute Christmas puppy wears thing - and the charity is not alone. Christmas is often the time of year when pets, particularly puppies and kittens, are given as presents. But as these animals grow up and the novelty of owning one wears off, the nation’s rescue centres are inundated with unwanted pets. Those who want to introduce a new pet to the family are urged to give the matter some serious thought and consider adopting an animal rather than purchasing one from a breeder, pet store or online. There’s dozens of rehoming centres across the UK. Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, RSPCA and Mayhew are among some of the most well-known organisations.