9 Vegan Valentine’s Gifts for her
So, you’re in love with a vegan? We’re sure you’re completely loved up with your vegan valentine but if the world of plant-based and cruelty-free is a new one for you, we know it can be intimidating trying to find the perfect vegan gift for her this February 14th. Here’s some go-to options to help you celebrate that love without compromising on her morals.
Vegan Chocolates
Let’s address the classic first, shall we? Nothing beats the gift of vegan chocolate on Valentine’s Day, but the supermarkets don’t always make it easy to know which brand to buy. Remember, it's not just the milk your amor will want to avoid. Other non-vegan classic chocolate inclusions like honey or egg-based meringue are also a no-go. Instead, try one of the following, fail-safe brands:
1. Doisy and Dam
Offer ethically sourced, vegan chocolates and chocolate bars with no palm oil or strange ingredients. This year, they’re offering a Vegan Valentine’s Day Starter Kit, which includes two boxes of their chocolate truffles - we love the limited edition salted caramel.
2. Seed and Bean
Founded almost 20 years ago, they have a tonne of ethical credentials, including their sourcing practices, palm-oil free products and even fully compostable packaging! Watch out - not all of their products are dairy-free, but they do have a vast vegan collection. Our favourite flavour is sweet orange and thyme, but for a great gift consider their truffle selection boxes or hampers too.
3. Calm Cocoa
For a tasty present that’s a little bit different, and perhaps something that your Valentine is less likely to have seen before, we recommend Calm Cocoa. Perfect when combined with some pampering bath gifts, this delicious vegan hot chocolate was created by meditation teacher and chocolatier, Meredith Whitley.
Vegan Beauty Gifts
Whilst we’re on the subject of pampering, let’s explore another classic Valentine’s gift: beauty products. Soap and skincare products can be quite sneakily un-vegan. As well as honey, some manufacturers use goat’s milk or other animal-derived ingredients like tallow in their products, or may even buy ingredients which have been tested on animals. We’d recommend staying away from the less romantic toiletry basics like shower gel and instead try to recreate an at-home luxury spa and pampering experience with some of these delectable vegan beauty gifts.
1. Wildefruit
As well as being cruelty-free, they use natural and upcycled ingredients to create their fruity range of skincare products. Their skincare gift set is the perfect choice if you’re not sure where to start.
2. No Ordinary
Another brand with an array of ethical credentials. Their range of lotions and potions come in amber-coloured bottles with names like ‘revive’, ‘balance’ and ‘clarity’, all of which will catch the eye in a wellbeing hamper. Plus, they smell delicious too!
3. Scrubbee
On Valentine’s Day 1999, the world, led by girl group TLC, declared “I don’t want no scrubs”, but this Valentine’s Day, we guarantee your vegan loved one will want to check out this female-led sustainable and vegan skincare brand. Your Valentine is sure to love their products made from upcycled coffee grounds, which smell heavenly and will leave them feeling energized! Maybe you could package it up with an equally energizing TLC CD?
(Please don’t ask us what a CD is…)
Vegan Clothing and Accessories
If fashion is more her thing, check out some of our ethical fashion suppliers. Clothing may not be something you immediately think of as “non-vegan”, but bags, watches and shoes are often made using animal-derived leather. Designers may also use, or be part of bigger fashion houses who use, fur, wool, feathers and other animal products in their production. Peta have a helpful vegan clothes shopping guide on their website but here are our picks of some great cruelty-free fashion gifts:
1. Hurtig Lane
Peta-approved, it specialises in beautiful vegan watches, but also sell vegan make-up brushes, face masks and jewellery. The classic design of their watches are sure to impress your Valentine with this timeless present - and we’re sure she will appreciate their vegan commitment too.
As well as ensuring all their products are vegan and cruelty free, bag designer are also committed to waste-reduction by choosing sustainable, biodegradable alternatives for their collection. We especially love their range of colourful purses and stylish laptop bags - with no animal dyes or glues in sight!
3. Trendtonic
For something a bit quirkier, try this independent Kent-based jeweller . Their bold earrings, all handmade by the wonderful founder Kerry Clayton, use cork as a sustainable, vegan alternative to leather or plastic. Their fabulous love collection includes quirky modern necklaces and earrings, featuring hearts and lightning bolts.
We hope you find something on this list which your Valentine will love as much as you! Whilst it’s relatively easy to remember not to serve meat, milk or eggs for your Valentine’s Day meal, there are so many different non-vegan materials and ingredients that gift-buying can become quite challenging. Plus, common alternatives like PVC can be really bad for the environment too.
Shopping from sustainable, cruelty-free retailers is the best way to avoid a vegan gift-giving faux pas this Valentine’s Day, allowing you to focus on the romance instead.
Words by Jennifer Whitfield