PNW HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your vegetarian Mom, vegan best friend, flexitarian brother, your coworker who keeps saying that they need to eat healthier, or even your little plant-based niece you have come to the right place, my friend. This guide has you covered on all fronts so that you can get that perfect gift for whoever is on your list.
I included a mix of larger companies and small, local, women-owned businesses. I love supporting my fellow entrepreneurs and know that every little mention and referral helps. If you can, please choose small whenever possible.
I always appreciate gift guides because I have such a hard time figuring out what to get for some of the closest people in my life, my mother being the hardest. She’s a pescetarian who already has a million cookbooks, appliances for her kitchen, and all the other things you can think a mom might want (like jewelry). My father, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Give that man a good bag of coffee, a fantastic chocolate bar, and/or anything having to do with The Beatles and he’s the happiest person in the world. I hope that this guide is helpful for all of the people in your life that you’re still not quite sure what to get!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I’ll get a small commission if you purchase through my links (at no cost to you). Thank you for supporting Priceless Nutrition & Wellness.
FOR THE PERSON WHO WANTS SUSTAINABLE GIFTS THAT HELP THE PLANET AND REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE
I met Misha, the owner of this small straw company that uses a byproduct of wheat production, at a talk I gave on Plant-Based diets and their positive impact on the planet. I was super impressed by these straws and the idea around them, especially because they use something that would normally be thrown away AND they’re compostable. Mainly found in high end restaurants, you can grab some for yourself or your host by contacting the email address directly. Tell Misha I sent you.
We’ve been trying to replace all of our plastic ziplock bags with these reusable silicon bags that serve the same purpose but are sooooo much better for the environment. I use them for everything, from packing to-go snacks for my toddler, putting away the half of avocado or onion that I didn’t use yet, and storing my dried mango. We even put some of these on our holiday wish list...again.
If you know someone who has room in their kitchen for this cool contraption and already composts or is thinking of starting, they will be thrilled to have this. Sadly we do not have room in our tiny Brooklyn kitchen for this and so our freezer is always full of our compost. I am truly jealous of whoever scores this gift!
Reduce the purchase of plastic water bottles and remember to drink water throughout the day with this beaut. I have one of these (hello, marble design) and am totally obsessed with it. It keeps my water cold for hours and reminds me to hydrate. Plus, I’m a sucker for good design and this bottle is simply beautiful.
FOR THE HOME COOK WHO HAS A LOT OF LEFTOVERS AND/OR BRINGS THEIR LUNCH TO WORK
Glass, reusable food storage that comes in all different shapes and sizes. We use these for everything and just asked for more!
This bag has built in ice packs inside so you can use it when you’re traveling (don’t forget my tips for traveling here), going to be out for a few hours, or need to store some cold foods for your little one while you go to the playground.
FOR THE COFFEE CONNOISSEUR WHO’S ALWAYS ON THE GO
We have this one and it’s great! Either to bring the coffee you make at home with you wherever you’re going or to have your local coffee shop fill because...delicious coffee and less waste is a win-win!
How cool looking is this portable, reusable coffee mug? If anything, it’ll be a conversation starter. Plus, something about the way it’s designed makes your coffee taste good!
FOR THE PERSON WHO SAYS THEY HAVE NO TIME TO COOK
Welcome to your savior...the instapot. You can cook dried beans, no soaking required, in about 30 minutes. Plus all of the other magical things that it does. Check out our favorite recipe for daal to make in ours.
FOR THE NOVICE PLANT-BASED HOME COOK
Supernatural Everyday by Heidi Swanson
This is one of my very favorite cookbooks of all time. My favorite recipe is on page 158, Miso-Curry Delicata Squash. The photos are so beautiful and most recipes are fairly easy to make. Note that this is a vegetarian cookbook, not vegan.
FOR THE SKILLED VEGAN HOME COOK
The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook by Isa Chandra
This huge book full of fun recipes that are holiday themed is great but definitely not easy or quick. I’m a big fan of Isa Chandra and am very lucky to live close to one of her restaurants. Plus, she’s very funny so sometimes I just like flipping through it and reading the hilarious things that she writes.
FOR THE PERSON WHO’S ALWAYS INSTAGRAMMING THEIR FOOD…AND PLANTS
This lady may be one of my good friends but there’s no denying her talent. You get to support a new, upcoming female ceramic artist who is also a working mom. She creates these beautiful bowls, mugs, ornaments and planters in her home studio in PA. (Note: Check her Instagram account for more products)
FOR THE PLANT-BASED FOOD AND/OR CHOCOHOLIC
Vegan macarons and beautiful chocolates, need I say more? You can order online or visit a location that carries their goods. I’m a big fan of Confectionary in the East Village.
All vegan chocolate made in a really cool facility in Red Hook, Brooklyn. You can order a monthly subscription, individual bars, or even purchase a tour or class. I once gifted a tour to my father and it was fantastic. Sooooo many samples. Remember when I said that he loves chocolate?
More vegan chocolate, made in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Their chocolate bars and truffles are delicious. But, also, I’d keep an eye on their chocolate hazelnut butter as a special gift. You can even make hot chocolate with it!
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of most vegan cheeses. But...Dr Cow is really an exception. And what better way to get to try all of their different styles than to get this sampler. This is good for the skeptic on vegan cheese...or, probably, yourself.
Small batch, complex spice blends made in Brooklyn. Spices can really change the flavor of a dish, in a very tasty way. If you’re heading into NYC any time soon, you should try to catch them where they are so that you can sample all of their offerings. And if not, you can order them on their Etsy shop!
FOR THE FASHIONISTA
Vegan leather goods that are incredibly well made and well designed. I’m now on my second wallet from them and it’s one of my favorite things that I own. I honestly wish that I could buy every single product that they sell from their bags to their shoes! They even have gorgeous diaper bags!
All vegan shoes, accessories and clothes. There’s really something for anyone within this well curated vegan shop.
High end vegan clothes, shoes, and accessories for the hot vegan dude in your life. They also have a really nice store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
FOR THE KIDDOS
Linus the Vegetarian T-Rex by Robert Neubecker
Not a Nugget by Stephanie Dreyer
Mrs. Peanuckle’s Vegetable Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle
That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals by Ruby Roth
V is for Vegan by Ruby Roth
The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids by Ruby Roth
This is my roundup of children’s books because kids love to read and learn. Having them read books about vegetarianism or veganism helps them understand why they might be being raised this way and it also helps make them proud of it. Plus, it teaches them about vegetables and animals which is pretty cool too!
FOR THE ONE WHO NEEDS SOME SELF CARE
Priceless Nutrition & Wellness
Drum roll….a package with yours truly is a great gift for anyone who needs some accountability or guidance on their plant-based diet. I help my clients learn how to nutritiously follow their veg-friendly diet, give meal and snack ideas, meal plan, and lift up their confidence around food. As my gift to you, if you reach out and mention this gift guide, I’ll give you 15% off one of my packages.
Completely vegan and toxic-free nail salon that has several locations across the USA. The salons even have an option for kids so if the little person in your life would love a mani-pedi, this is a fantastic option! They also have an online store where you can purchase lots of beauty-related items and home goods.
Women owned, Brooklyn made, and honestly some of the best smelling candles that I have ever burned. It’s one that I gift often, to both friends and family, because they’re great candles and I truly like supporting these friendly ladies. Lay on the couch, turn on some good tunes, have a good book, and light one of these up.
I truly love ClassPass as a way to fit my workouts in and try something new. If you use this link, you’ll get $40 off your first month!
I’d love to know what you think of this guide, if you think anything is missing (there’s always next year!), and if you end up purchasing any of these recommendations. Feel free to comment below! I wish you the happiest of holidays and a happy new year!