How To Have A Very Vegan Valentine's Day
Get ready for everything around you to become filled with pink hearts and teddy bears – the most romantic day of the year is around the corner. If you're anything like us, you agree that a celebration of all things love and romance needs to also be compassionate.
By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist and vegan fashion expert.
More couples than ever are choosing to live with compassion by opting for a vegan lifestyle, which of course is reflected in the offering around celebrations such as Valentine's Day: you may notice that some of the pink, glittery chocolate boxes on offer in your supermarket actually contain vegan chocolate, while gift sets at the beauty counter are commonly cruelty-free. Having a vegan Valentine's Day can be easy, tasty, and indulgent – just follow the tips below.
Cook a romantic meal...
Post-Veganuary, some of the vegan goods on offer in the supermarkets are likely to linger. As the number of vegans and those interested in living a vegan lifestyle continues to grow, so do the ranges offering plant-based options. Stuck for ideas? Google is your friend. Food blogger The Minimalist Baker has an amazing selection of plant-based V-Day recipes (we're dying for that lasagna).
...or head for dinner out
It has literally never been a better time to go out to eat as a vegan. From the tiniest of obscure eateries to big-name chains, you're no one if your vegan options aren't up to scratch. Enjoy a romantic meal for two at your favourite restaurant with a clear conscience, or even shop around to compare and find who has the best plant-based menu. We're finally in a position to be able to have our pick, and what better time to enjoy that than on Valentine's Day?
Create a swoon-worthy look with vegan beauty
Look gorgeous on the most romantic day of the year – without contributing to animal testing, which still kills thousands of individuals annually. By shopping beauty at Immaculate Vegan, you can be certain that all products are free from cruel experiments on animals, and that every product is also free from animal-derived ingredients. This Valentine's Day, explore the delightfully indulgent perfumes and massage oils from Lovorika – all vegan and non-toxic – and create a sensuous atmosphere with a delicious essential oil from Elan Skincare or an eco-friendly natural vegan candle.
Dress for romance, without animal skins
A perfect look for a dreamy evening with your significant other calls for a special look – but it needn't involve draping yourself in animal skins. From silky dresses in eco-friendly Tencel and eye-catching vegan clutches to elegant vegan heels free from leather, your cruelty-free, vegan Valentine's Day look is certain to impress.
The gift of kindness
A gift that shows love should be chosen carefully. Your special someone might love artisan-made ethical jewellery, a beautiful kit of pampering goodies, or a luxury vegan purse or wallet. The way to their heart is with thorough selection and a bit of extra thought, and luckily, there's never been a better time to choose a vegan gift for the one you love.
Check out our vegan gift guides for hundreds more Valentine's gift ideas for him, for her, and at different price points.
A compassionate celebration can be filled with joy, luxury, and decadence – from food to fashion, your romantic day can be more memorable than ever, and knowing that the animals and planet are spared from suffering should make it even more special.
By Sascha Camilli
About Sascha
Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cover image by Carly Mackler. Second image by Victoria Shes. Third image by Jesse Goll. All via Unsplash.
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