The Vegan's Guide To A Happy Holiday Season

The festive season is here: time of merriment, joyful get-togethers and...for many vegans, a time for stress and possible confrontation. From tables laden with animal-derived foods and your drunk uncle harping on about plants having feelings, to party dressing made impossible courtesy of the 5% silk in every single dress in the shops, it's not always an easy life for vegans and animal advocates around the holidays.

Luckily, if you know where to look, Christmas can be a delightful time to be vegan: plant-based food options are rich and abundant, online marketplaces (such as this one) offer animal-free party attire, and cruelty-free beauty products are filling up store shelves. 

Plus, getting together with other vegans to celebrate (and commiserate) is easier than it's ever been. See more tips on how to have a merry Christmas as a vegan – this just might be your happiest holiday season ever.

By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert. 

Learn to de-escalate

When drunk uncle Glenn starts off about pigs in blankets again, the best thing to do is politely change the subject and ask him about his gardening instead. Even if you're itching to fire back, it's best to choose your battles. Comments that are only aimed at getting a rise out of vegans, rather than questions born out of genuine curiosity, are best deflected. Your teenage cousin who takes you aside and quietly asks about vegan sources of iron – now that's where you want to put your convincing efforts.

Come prepared with answers

But let's say someone does push on nutrition, ethics, or other areas of veganism where you feel you can engage, there's no reason to shut every conversation down. Be ready with some easy one-liners about, say, protein or zoos - knowledge is power and you'll feel more at ease knowing that you have answers to hand. The Vegan Society has a handy question sheet that might turn out to be a dinner-party saviour.

Appeal to their taste buds

What wins over even the staunchest anti-vegan? Delicious food, that's what. Bring some vegan Wellington or a batch of your best gingerbread cookies to the family gathering or work Christmas party and enjoy the impressed-slash-surprised faces when you reveal that the scrumptious dish is fully plant-based. Your fellow diners may not go vegan on the spot, but you might have changed their views on vegan food. For inspiration, look to Katy Beskow's Easy Vegan Christmas.

Dress to impress

Living a vegan lifestyle is about so much more than what's put on your plate. If your mission this holiday season is to show off just how stylish vegan fashion can look, you're in the right place. Here at Immaculate Vegan, we take pride in shining a light on the animal-free style options that will make you the best-dressed guest at the party. Whether your go-to is an all-out embellished dress, sequinned separates or sparkly heels, check out our Party Edit and get ready to collect compliments.

Practice self-care.

The run-up to the holiday season can be stressful, especially if constantly dealing with a ramped-up version of all the usual stressors for vegans. Remember to take some time to take care of yourself with simple yet effective techniques. Psychologist Clare Mann, creator of the concept of Vystopia (the anguish of living vegan in a non-vegan world), says: "There are practices and routines that can help vegans pass anguish and trauma through their bodies. This starts with sitting quietly, both feed on the floor and eyes closed.  Breathing in slowly to the count of four and out for the count of four. This produces a calming effect as the outbreath activates the parasympathic nervous system which brings us back to ease.  When accompanied with self-soothing supportive language like, 'It's ok. I am safe. I've got this.' it can provide a sense of calm as does visualising trauma leaving the body on the out breath."

Connect with other vegans.

Between all the family gatherings with meat-lovers, it can feel liberating to spend time with other vegans. Even if (and maybe especially if) the conversation doesn't turn to veganism, just having a safe haven where you know you will not be questioned, made fun of, or ostracised might feel like a weight off your shoulders. Check out local Meetup events or your city's local Facebook group to connect and celebrate together.

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 or sign up to her newsletter Kind of Wild. 

Cover image by Louis Magnotti. Second photo by Pille R. Priske, both via Unsplash. Final photo by Albaray.

For more great content like this in your inbox, sign up to our newsletter, and save 10% off your next purchase, plus great savings throughout the year.