What should you do if you want to celebrate Christmas as a vegan but will be surrounded by meat-eaters? While you may be having a better time without dairy, being surrounded by non-vegans might make it difficult to maintain a positive outlook.
To help you relax and have fun on your holidays, our friends at abillionveg have compiled their best piece of advice for having your most successful vegan Christmas. On the other hand, if you have any lingering doubts about being a vegan, this should be the last straw that pushes you over the edge.
1. Talk the talk and walk the walk
Get the word out to everyone you know that you’ve made the conscious decision to become a vegan. The best way to prepare is to get together with loved ones in advance, maybe over a meal or a cup of coffee. With all their questions answered, everyone will be prepared for Christmas Eve. If you can’t see everyone in person, phone them and bring up veganism in discussion and answer their queries (if they have any). At the end of the day, communication is key.
2. Plan ahead
The secret to a happy and successful holiday party is preparation in advance, and this is especially true around Christmas. Find out who is hosting the dinner, whether there will be any other events, who will be attending, etc. You’ll be better prepared for the day ahead and have less stress if you do this beforehand. You and the hosts won’t be caught off guard at the last minute.
3. Gift credit where credit is due
How about some gifts? It’s possible that some of the things you get will not be vegan-friendly. In this unfortunate case, you might consider giving the gift to charity instead, or you might gently decline the offer and explain why. You can also send your loved ones a link to a collection you’ve created on abillionveg or create a wish list of vegan-friendly gifts on your preferred website. Don’t be afraid to let others know that you’re taking these measures so that the presents they give you reflect your values; you’ll get brownie points with those you care about. In this way, you’ll also be helping prevent the waste that comes with unnecessary and unwanted gifts
4. Experiment with flavours
Sadly, many beloved holiday dishes are not suitable for vegans. Still, there’s plenty of time to shop around for unusual ingredients and try out new flavours and dishes before the holiday season really begins. If you want to eat meatless meals at home, you may find several different brands of plant-based meat alternatives, such as Quorn, Beyond Meat, GOOD Meat, and Gardein. If you don’t feel like making a whole meal from scratch, there are plenty of tasty frozen choices available that will allow you to have a “typical” vegan Christmas dinner.
5. Host your own or Go the BYO way
You can consider hosting your own vegan Christmas dinner! That way, you can show your loved ones how tasty vegan cuisine can be by deciding what to serve. Try new things by referencing cookbooks and putting your imagination to use. Show everyone that vegan cuisine can be just as tasty by making your own versions of vegan eggnog or vegan mince pies. If you can’t host but still want to visit a non-vegan family member or friend, try to be respectful of their eating habits. Volunteer to provide your own food. That way, you can be certain that everything on the table is vegan-friendly without disrupting your host’s meal preparations. Bring extra food next time so that everyone may have a bite!
6. Eat before you leave and beware of innocent-looking non-vegan dishes
If you can’t bring your own food, have a good lunch at home before going out. That way, while the rest of the family is tucking in, you won’t be too hungry to enjoy the discussion and can focus on not being too hangry. On the other hand, the vegan appearance of many classic dishes is frequently deceiving. It’s a good idea to ask how the meal will be prepared, since some individuals like to use animal fat while cooking. Don’t be shy about asking questions, and if necessary, ask for the recipe so you can make sure you know exactly what goes into it.
7. Donut be tempted
The food you used to love is going to be there. In other words, if you know you’re going to be tempted, arm yourself with a plan. You may offer to bring vegan alternatives to such meals, stock up on snacks and drinks to avoid becoming too hungry, strike up a discussion with someone, or, if that doesn’t work, just leave the room for a while.
8. Avoid confrontation
Keep in mind that you may have strong opinions while still loving the individuals you disagree with. Avoid arguments as much as possible throughout the holidays. Don’t take it personally if others make remarks about your “protein deficiencies” or “those fancy millennial fashions.” Having discussions about your values is essential, but save such talks for another time.
9. Pickle for your thoughts
People will be curious whether this is your first vegan holiday. Explain why you made the change and how you’ve adjusted to eating mainly veggies. Know that the intent behind the inquiries is one of care and affection. Prepare your questions and responses in advance. And most of all, don’t be afraid to explain why you decided to go vegan wholeheartedly. A lot of people feel some sort of “imposter syndrome” when explaining. You’re doing great; don’t worry.
10. Kiwi all just be friends?
Take control of the discussion and direct your attention away from your plate and onto the folks you’re eating with. Ask them what’s going on in their lives, and pay attention as they tell you. People like it when you show an interest in them without forcing them to discuss sensitive issues. Or if you feel that you’re being led into an uncomfortable conversation, don’t be afraid to let them know how it’s making you feel.
Veganism can make a difference, and not only in the lives of animals. Kindness to oneself and one’s loved ones is all that’s required now that you’ve made the decision to adopt and commit to this lifestyle.