Local & Beyond Cruelty-Free Gift Guide: 2020 Edition
The holiday season is here, and with that comes giving! I’ve compiled a list of cruelty-free and vegan-friendly gift ideas so you can feel truly good about the presents you are giving! Since we’re avoiding gathering in groups (you know, Covid things) and Christmas parties and dinners should be postponed until the pandemic is handled, I think gift giving will be all the more important this year, to show your loved ones you’re thinking of them even if you can’t physically be together.
I am also highlighting a local (for my Edmonton folks, mostly) options in each category because this year, more than ever, it is important to support small local businesses as they try to weather the pandemic. And shopping local is a great way to get a unique and really thoughtful gift that shows your loved-one just how much care you put into getting them something special.
I love Rocky Mountain Soap Co. because not only do they not test on animals, they’re committed to reducing the industry practise of testing on animals by adhering to a toxin-free philosophy. And being toxin-free, their products will not harm natural habitats or aquatic life when they go down the drain and out into the environment.
And they certainly don’t stop at soap - they have a ton of products, from facial cleansers, to hand sanitizer, bath bombs and lip blams! They offer great gift sets, ranging from $21-$76 dollars, so there is a nice budget range. I adore their vanilla coconut scent so my peronal pick would be their Vanilla Coconut Love Gift Set.
My Daughter Fragrances offers perfumes and botanical body care that is never tested on animals. Located an hour outside of Edmonton, they are an Alberta success story that has been featured by Jillian Harris and Fashion Magazine.
Choosing a fragrance for someone can be tough, which is why I think their sample pack is such a perfect little gift or stocking stuffer at only $15 - let your loved-one try them all while introducing them to this fabulous brand. And with the sample pack My Daughter will also send you a code for %15 off your next purchase which you can include as part of the gift....or keep for yourself! I won’t tell ;)
Pura Botanicals is a great Alberta brand that offers truly luxurious skincare products and holds cruelty-free certifications from both Leaping Bunny and PETA. They also pride themselves on creating clean beauty products that are 100% free from artificial colours, artificial fragrance, parabens, sulphates and phthalates.
I love that they have gift sets from $34-$162, making them a good choice for a variety of holiday budgets!
Beyond
Got a very special someone you want to spoil all year round? Consider a cruelty-free beauty subscription box, such as Petit Vour or Vegan Cuts (which has a beauty and makeup box to choose from).
Want to start gifting ASAP! Give them a cruelty-free beauty advent calendar so they can treat themselves the whole month of December or during the 12 days of Christmas! Elf has a 12 day and 24 day one, and NYX has an offering too.
Need a more masculine gift? Bulldog skincare offers gift sets for the bearded beauty in your life, whether they like to rock some facial hair or want a clean shave.
Food
Local
Basically everything about Jacek chocolate is to die for. It is a woman owned business, based in Alberta, has won countless chocolatier awards, and, just like in the fashion world, Jacek launches seasonal collections of visually gorgeous chocolate confections. Could anything be more chic?
Although they have an assortment of vegan chocolate all year long, their vegan holiday collection would be the perfect gift for the cruelty-free-for-the-animals person in your life!
Mojo Jojo Pickles
Mojo Jojo Pickles is a black-owned, woman-owned, Edmonton-based brand. What started as a hobby project by Johwanna "Jojo" Alleyne in 2010, has grown into a business supplying local groceries, delicatessens, butchers and artisanal shops across western Canada.
Mojo Jojo is one of my favorite local businesses, so I have a lot of recommendations; I love the pickled garlic and pickled mushrooms, all of the Shrubs, and the pumpkin spice syrup. I’d recommend checking out their best sellers for gifts to please anyone (starting with the Fall Comfort Beverage Syrup Box and the Popular Pickle Pack!)
Restaurant Gift Card
For the foodie in your life, why not treat them to a (Covid-safe, at-home) meal? A giftcard is a great way to support a local business, and give your loved one a night off from cooking. There is an abundance of vegan-friendly restaurants in Alberta, and I’d say that the vast majority of them will please omni-folks as well. Some I’d recommend are Why Not Cafe (Vegan charcuterie board? Yes please!), Cafe Mosaics (the vegan eggs benny is my fav), and Padmanadis (the wonton soup and the ginger-beef are a win every time!).
Beyond
If you have someone in your life who is trying to learn to cook more plant-based meals, a very generous gift would be a few weeks of membership to Hello Fresh. Since all ingredients are included (and most times pre-measured and even chopped), it makes learning to cook very approachable. At the same time, since you’re actually preparing new and novel recipes a few times a week, you learn how to make a broad base of recipes you can replicate after the membership ends.
A cookbook is a timeless gift for a foodie. I know, I know, you can just find recipes on Pinterest. But, I think there is something special about cookbooks. They present you with options you might not have even been looking for and who doesn’t love flipping through glossy pages looking at gorgeous food photography? There are endless options when it comes to vegan and vegetarian cookbooks, but two of my favs are Oh She Glows by Angela Liddon and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.
I have at least six Unbelts, and I have been a fan for a long time (check out my Living Without Leather post for proof). But a leather-free, vegan friendly belt that looks cute, is super durable and long lasting, and is made by a woman-owned B-corp company? What is not to love? Additionally, during the pandemic, Unbelts pivoted their business to start producing the most comfy, breathable, reusable face masks.
I like to wear mine in my jeans (and I just leave them in the belt loops permanently) and also at the waist to cinch in dresses. A belt on it’s own would make a fabulous gift, but for the holidays they have matching belt-mask bundles and I can’t think of anything cuter!
Beyond
I have a Peta-approved Hurtig Lane watch that I love, and I think a timepiece is such a classy gift. I love the thing strap and rose gold details of this Almalfi style.
Home
Local
Re:Plenish is another woman-owned brand in Edmonton! It’s a beautiful little zero-waste shop that aims to help people reduce their environmental impact.
I recently bought everything I need to reduce my plastic use in the kitchen: a refillable amber bottle for dish soap, dish brush, pot and pan scrub brush and swedish dishcloths. I think putting together a similar package would be a fantastic gift to start someone on their zero (or reduced!) waste path! Check out their online shop for ideas.
Locally-made Candles
Ellis Candle Co. is an Edmonton based company that makes hand poured, plant-based, soy candles with wood wicks. With scents like Santa’s Workshop (rich bourbon, cherry pipe and cedarwood tobacco) your holiday shopping cannot go wrong. I also love that they have wax melts, because I’m the type of person to accidentally light bookshelves on fire (true story).
Milk Jar Candle Co. is based in Calgary (see, I didn’t forget about Calgary!) makes vegan friend, clean-burning coconut soy candles. They are also locally manufactured, and a staple in the Canadian apothecary scene with stockists across the country. They have a membership program (starting at $115) which would make an incredible gift, but even a single candle, like Sweater Weather (warm maple butter) and a cute box of matches would make a lovely present.
Beyond
Sandoval makes interior aromatics to freshen and scent your home, and all of them are cruelty-free and vegan. Additionally, each scent contains “crystals that have been charged under the full moon to amplify intention and elevate your experience.” As a Pisces, I fully approve. Check out their gift sets.
I know this says it’s a body spray, but there is nothing more luxurious than spraying Lush Twilight Spray on your sheets so you drift off to sleep on a lavender scented cloud.
Other
The holidays are supposed to be about joy and generosity. That’s why I am often the annoying family member that gives donations on other people’s behalf instead of getting them the gift they actually asked for (lol).
But, in all seriousness, if you are in the privileged position of not needing to get presents, or you’re giving to a person who already has all their needs met, I think donations are a wonderful gift that help make an impact on the world, often for the most vulnerable among us.
Local
With the pandemic in full swing, many local animal shelters are struggling and at max capacity.
SCARS is having a particularly tough time, and I’m sure anything you can give would be appreciated. They cannot intake new animals until they have more funds to cover care and vet bills.
SCARS - Second Chance Animal Rescue Society
Zoe’s Animal Rescue
I adopted my fur babies from Wharf who were fabulous, and there are many other deserving local organizations, such as Zoe’s and Little Cats Lost.
Beyond
If you're looking for a Canada-wide org, Animal Justice League is doing amazing work changing laws to better protect our voiceless friends.
Happy Holidays and Happy Gifting!
❤ K