Last Minute Stocking Stuffers That Rock

By Amanda Just

It happens: you think you have all your holiday shopping done and BAM! You forgot a person or two, or you need a host/hostess gift, or there’s a work gift exchange, or or or… Have no fear! We’ve compiled some last minute stocking stuffers and small gifts that anyone would be happy to receive!

Bring On the Chocolate!
Who doesn’t love chocolate?! Non-dairy candies are easier than ever to find, including most supermarkets and even stores like Ross, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx. Some brands we recommend are Ocho, Endangered Species, Go Max Go, and Unreal. (Look for our Certified Vegan logo!)

Pamper Yourself
Everyone could use a little pampering. Head to your nearest LUSH store for cruelty-free face masks, hair products, body wash and lotions, bath bombs, and more. They often have cute gift sets already wrapped and ready to go!

Gift Certificates
This might seem like an obvious one, but you can make this go-to last minute gift an opportunity to introduce someone to vegan eating. Instead of the usual Target or Starbucks card, pick up a gift certificate at your favorite local vegan restaurant to give the recipient a solid reason to go check it out! Include one of the restaurant’s to-go menus and highlight your recommendations to make it even easier and more exciting. If there aren’t any all-veg eateries in your town, consider signing them up for a plant-based meal delivery service, like Purple Carrot, or another food subscription service, like a Vegan Cuts snack box.

All Eco-Friendly Everything
Help get people on the reusables train by stuffing their stocking with reusable straws, to-go cups, bamboo cutlery sets, etc. No more excuses! Ditch the single-use plastics! Instead of a stocking, you could put them in a high-quality reusable bag (with maybe a few reusable produce bags added for good measure).

Donate on Their Behalf
Making a donation to a non-profit charity in honor of someone is a touching gift. It can be to a charity that the recipient already knows and loves, or maybe you can make the donation to an organization that fights for a cause the recipient cares about. Visit Charity Navigator to see where donation dollars go, and try to support smaller, local organizations that could use the extra help. If you’re already here reading our blog, then you probably already know this, but just in case: reconsider supporting any group that “gifts” farmed animals as a way to alleviate hunger. Read this article from A Well-Fed World to learn why.

As always, the gift of friendship and time spent together is the greatest gift of all. Quality time doesn’t have to mean an extravagant outing, either. It can be time in the kitchen cooking a meal together, enjoying a hike at a local park, or having a movie marathon on the couch (with lots of vegan snacks, of course!). However you spend the holidays, we hope it’s happy and full of love for all.