Vegan Holiday Survival Guide
The winter holiday’s are upon us, and that usually involves lots of socializing and eating. Having dietary restrictions, whether by choice or through medical necessity, can pose some challenges when visiting family and attending parties. You may find yourself eating Christmas dinner at your in-laws, attending a work party or luncheon, ringing in the New Year at a friends, or any other number of social holiday situations. You may also be dreading the countless times you are going to have to ask, “Will there ne something for me to eat?” or, “What type of food will be available?’ And more than likely, unless you are working at a vegan establishment or your friends or family hosting the event are vegan, you are going to have to ask these questions to ensure that you and your family will be able to eat something more than a salad. Here are some tips on how my family will be surviving the food frenzy:
The Food
BYOB
Did you know that unless it is labeled organic, your wine and beer might not be vegan? During the wine and making process, some companies use fish bladders, bone marrow, casein and other animal products to filter the wine through. You can check out Barnivore.com for an extensive list of vegan wines and beers, or simply stick with an organic brand of wine like Frey or a good German beer.
BYOA
Bringing your own appetizers to a party is usually welcomed by the host or hostess; you may just want to give them a heads-up in advance. We usually bring a hummus tray or guacamole and chips. In a world of cheese and crackers, this can be a lifesaver. This year we are mixing it up and bringing vegetable sushi trays that my husband, toddler, and I all love. The added bonus is that we really could make a meal out of the sushi if we don’t have any other options available. Never assume there will be something for you to snack on. It’s better to be over prepared than hungry.
BYOD
Dessert is always one of the sad parts of many social gatherings when the only option at the table is the fruit garnishing the plate. For Christmas dinner, I made three pies: pumpkin, apple, and lemon meringue. I also made a boatload of cookies that we will be bringing to all the gatherings we will be attending on Christmas Eve. If baking is not your forte, check out your local natural food stores, like Whole foods, and see what they have available in their bakery section. When in doubt, you can always bring a fruit tray as well.
BYOF
Sometimes a situation calls for you to bring a more substantial contribution to the dinner table. You may need to prepare a side dish or two, or you may need to provide a main dish for you and your family, like the holiday roast made by Gardein or Field Roast. This past Thanksgiving, I did just that. We had dinner at my brother’s home, and I supplied the vegan turkey loaf and the stuffing. The important thing is to have these conversations well in advance. Don’t wait until a few days before an event to talk to the person hosting the dinner or event. Many people will want to accommodate their family or their guests, so find out what is on the menu and adjust as needed.
The Gifts
If you are new to living a compassionate vegan life, you may also need to consider the gifts you are giving and the ones you and your family receive. For years I would always get a family I see every Christmas Eve a Hickory Farms gift set filled with cheeses and meat, and that is not an option for me anymore. I will not eat it, nor will I support the mistreatment of animals by purchasing it. So instead, I am making my own gift set filled with vegan crackers, cheeses, cakes, cookies, candies, and jams.
DIY
Baking cookies is a tried and true holiday past time. What better way to show people how good vegan food is than by baking a variety of cookies, breads, and whatever other specialties float your boat. This year I made chocolate chip, lemon, oatmeal raisin, and almond cookies. I also made mini loaves of pumpkin bread to give out to neighbors and family. We have stopped giving gifts between adults in our family, and now focus on the children, but this is a nice way to say happy holidays to family and friends.
Receiving Gifts
We can be a bit particular about the items our little lamb plays with, and we honestly don’t want to clutter our home with a ton of toys that we know she won’t be interested in or that we deem as inappropriate. One way we work around this is by creating a Wish list for her on Amazon.com. This way we can direct people who need suggestions right to the list, and ensure she is receiving items that are appropriate for her and our way of life. We wouldn’t want her to have something like a zoo play set or play food with meat products in it, so having a list set up helps to avoid getting things we would have to return or give away. If we receive baked goods or other food items that are not vegan we offer them to other family and friends or give them to those in need. I try not to waste food, although there have been times that we have simply thrown things away when there were no other options.
Giving Gifts
There was a time when it would not be uncommon for me to purchase boxes of candy, Hickory Farms gift sets, s’more makers, or gingerbread house kits for family and friends. But, choosing to live a vegan life also means choosing to support companies who follow ethical, compassionate, and organic practices. Not every company I buy products from is 100% vegan, but the products I buy are. So instead of a box of milk chocolate, I buy vegan grade dark chocolate; instead of a s’mores maker, I put together a kit with vegan rice milk chocolate, and vegan marshmallows and graham crackers. I won’t buy a children’s book or toy that supports zoo’s circuses, or dairy farms. I will however buy a vet kit, children’s gardening tools, and books about nature, farm sanctuaries, or lovable animals and monsters.
Surviving the holidays does not have to be a painful experience, or a difficult one. Talk to the person in your work place who is coordinating the holiday festivities and request vegan food options, call your in-laws and find out what is on the menu for dinner and dessert and see what you can bring, set up a Wish list for your child or be prepared with some suggestions for family who ask. Stock up on hummus or tasty vegan cheeses like my new obsession, Miyoko’s garlic and herb spread, to bring to parties. Bring your favorite bottle of vegan wine as a hostess gift. When all else fails, or the food situation is completely unknown, eat a full meal before you go and stash snacks in your bag. But most of all, enjoy the time with family and friends.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Love, Laughter, & Light,
