If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of holiday shopping, thankfully, this guide has something for everyone on your list, no matter how difficult that person is to shop for. And you can do it all from the cozy comfort of your home.
With convenient online shopping, there are no pushy holiday crowds or parking nightmares to endure. You may even get some inspiration and add a few more items to your personal wish list as you leisurely scroll and click “add to cart.”
From kitchen tools to creative DIY projects, here are 40 fun, practical, and totally unique gifts to give this year.
Table of Contents
Gifts for people who love cooking
Shopping for a home cook or pro chef? Don’t miss our top gift picks for those who love to cook.
1 Mercer Culinary knives
A sharp knife is a safer knife. As counterintuitive as this may seem, any professional chef will vouch for us. A set of good knives can turn the chore of chopping into a far less laborious experience, and, because a decent sharp knife doesn’t require as much pressure to cut, they can also help prevent accidents in the kitchen.This six-piece set from Mercer Culinary has everything to perform most kitchen functions, including a wavy edge bread knife and an 8-inch chef knife.
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2 NanoFoamer
Espresso machines can be expensive, but with the right tool, you can get close to that blissfully good microfoam that tops your neighborhood café’s soy milk latte. The NanoFoamer is superior to any other basic milk frother we’ve used. For the coffee snobs who are forever trying to perfect their homemade espresso beverages, this is the gift to get.
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3 Coffee pour-over kit
Pour-over kits are available through most third-wave coffee roasters. This one from Dif Deco includes a dripper, a ceramic pot, and filters. Gift this bundle to someone ready to retire their $20 coffee maker for something more sophisticated.
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4 Rouxbe cooking class
You don’t need to enroll at Le Cordon Bleu to hone professional-level culinary skills. Rouxbe is an online culinary institution with courses ranging from plant-based pro to 200-hour intensives for the home cook who wants to know more.
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5 Bloody Mary cocktail kit
Give everything you need to make an excellent bloody Mary cocktail with this kit from Shaker & Spoon. It includes syrups, mixers, bitters, recipe cards, and even garnishes. All you have to do is provide the booze.
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6 Global Grub DIY culinary kits
Some cooking projects—like Instagram-worthy focaccia art or perfectly rolled sushi—can be intimidating to start. These packages offer up the confidence home cooks need to take on these dishes by way of essential tools and helpful step-by-step instructions. For example, the sushi kit includes a bamboo rolling mat, sushi rice, nori, rice vinegar powder, and wasabi powder plus filling ideas. Other vegan options include the Mochi Ice Cream Kit, Focaccia Art Kit, and Ravioli Kit.
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7Goldie by SourHouse sourdough starter home
Whether your gift receiver is an accomplished bread maker, or simply wants to embark on a new hobby, this Goldie sourdough starter warmer makes the ultimate gift. It turns sourdough making into a simple, easily accomplishable task and looks great sitting on a kitchen counter. Plus if you give it as a gift, you may just receive a loaf of homemade bread in the future.
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8 Hera the Dog Vodka cocktail kit
After more than 17 years in animal rescue, co-founder Julia Pennington decided to make the leap into the alcohol industry as a way to give back directly to animal rescues and created this alcohol brand. Not only are these cocktail kits 100-percent vegan, but 100-percent of the profits also go to local animal rescues.
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Vegan food gifts
These delicious gifts are sure to satisfy any foodies on your list.
9
Ice cream pints
Shipping ice cream to yourself feels extravagant, which makes it the perfect gift—it’s something most people would never purchase for themselves and yet we can guarantee it will be used (more like devoured). Vegan-friendly brands such as Frankie & Jo’s, and Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery both ship ice cream nationwide.
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10Gourmet vegan chocolates
Vegan chocolate can be found anywhere, but when it’s being given as a gift, it must be fancy. We’re talking ornate wrappings, delicate chocolate art, and decadent fillings. There are several luxury vegan and vegan-friendly chocolatiers out there, but to start, try Laderach, Melissa Coppel, or Nhiar Chocolates. For even more chocolate gifts, check out VegNews editors’ favorite artisanal chocolates.
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11Vegan cheese subscription
Ever since vegan cheese evolved from the rubbery substance of yester-year to the divine food it is today, there have been vegan cheese addicts. Many locally-owned vegan cheese shops offer subscriptions, but there are also some cheesemongers that ship nationwide. Check out brands such as SriMu, Rebel Cheese, and The Herbivorous Butcher.
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12Vegan baked goods
Nothing lights us up like an unexpected package. When that package happens to contain a plethora of vegan sweets, our entire day is made. Imagine your friend or family member’s delight when they unbox an entire vegan cake or a medley of giant seasonal cookies. Maya’s Cookies, Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen, Foxship Bakery, and Sticky Fingers Bakery are just a few of our go-to bakeries that ship their sweets nationwide.
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13Restaurant gift cards
If you ask us, a delicious vegan meal is one of the best gifts you can receive. So why not gift your loved ones a gift card to one of your favorite vegan restaurants? Veggie Grill by Next Level is just one example of a vegan chain offering gift cards right now.
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14Lettuce Grow
This urban farmstand is a perfect compromise for people who want to try their hand at gardening but don’t have the time, space, or interest to deal with planting. Available in a short 12-plant stand to a colossal 36-plant tower, the compact vertical hydroponic system does most of the work for you, but the resulting kale and bok choy taste just as fresh as if you planted the seeds yourself. Note: with the additional purchase of the ring lights, the Lettuce Grow also works indoors!
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Vegan beauty and fashion gifts
Give the gift of glam with our top picks for beauty and fashion essentials.
15No.49 Vegan Bags
These accessible, luxury handbags focus on high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. With a commitment to sustainability and small-batch production, No. 49 combines modern elegance with conscious design, making each piece a functional yet artful addition to your wardrobe.
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16Goodr sunglasses
Everyone needs a pair of sunglasses that make them feel strong and confident, and Goodr lenses definitely make a statement. The athletic wear sunnies come in a range of styles, lens shades, and frame colors with whimsical names such as the Flamingos on a Booze Cruise and Iced by Yetis. Meant for those literally on the run (or on the bike), all shades are polarized, lightweight, and non-slip. Did we mention they’re only $25? Buy a pair for a friend and another for yourself.
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17Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil
Packed with nourishing ingredients, this lip oil delivers a high-shine finish while keeping your lips soft and hydrated. Lightweight yet long-lasting, it’s a great pick for anyone who loves a glossy look with the added benefit of real hydration. Ideal for everyday wear or dressing up a look, this lip oil makes a subtle yet impactful statement.
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18Vegan handbag
That burnt-orange summer bag just won’t do for winter—fashion mavens need functional accessories to match the tones of their seasonal wardrobe. Vegan accessory designers such as Matt and Nat and Gunas make gorgeous handbags that are both practical and stylish, and thanks to top-quality manufacturing, these bags put up with a lot of wear and tear. For a smaller present, check out the wallets, vegan leather belts, or matching hats and scarves collections.
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Grey State
19 Eco-friendly Grey State sweatpants
Everyone could do with a comfy, work-from-home outfit. That’s where Grey State comes in with its soft, eco-friendly cotton apparel. Committed to keeping its environmental impact low, the loungewear company is vertically integrated to handle the entire manufacturing process in its own solar-powered factory. Plus, a dollar from every purchase goes to the non-profit organization One Tree Planted. Pair these soft AF pants with a cropped Henley top for a polished yet comfortable lounge outfit perfect for anything from a virtual meeting to walking the dog.
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Hydra Bloom Beauty
20Hydra Bloom Beauty Bronzing Shimmer Oil
Maintain that summer glow, even during the chillier winter months with this lightly fragrant and ultra-smooth sheer bronzing body oil. Scented with frangipani (plumeria), coconut, and infused with uplifting flower essences, with each swipe over your skin you’ll be transported to a tropical locale, even from your snow-locked city apartment.
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21Rahua Enchanted Island shampoo and conditioner
Infused with exotic oils and fruit extracts, this haircare set promotes hydration, enhances shine, and leaves hair feeling soft and rejuvenated. Inspired by the lush tropics, its enchanting scent transforms your haircare routine into a spa-like escape. We can’t get enough of this hydrating haircare set!
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22Finchberry Best Seller Sampler Tin
Northern Florida-based Finchberry handcrafts each individual soap bar with natural, food-grade ingredients. This sampler set contains eight gorgeous bars with decadent scents for a truly sensory experience every time you step into the room.
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Gifts for companion animals and pet lovers
These gifts are guaranteed to make your four-legged friends bark (or purr!) with joy.
23 Furb dog bed
Gift this plush corduroy bed to your favorite dog parent (or if you’re a dog parent, put this under the tree for your furry friend) and they’ll quickly be obsessed. Not only does it look stylish and gorgeous in a home, it also has a stylish, easy-to-remove slip cover making the times you have to clean it simpler than ever.
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24 Spark Paws 90’s retro harness and leash
Make walk time a little more fashionable with this gradient blue and purple-hued leash set. It’s made with extra strength nylon to keep you and your pup safe while out and about and is padded with soft neoprene on the inside so the collar is gentle on your dog’s skin.
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25 Bramble plant-based pet food subscription
For those that want to give the gift of fresh, vet-tested and recommended, plant-based dog food that will nourish your pups, Bramble is the answer. We love this woman-owned company that focuses on nourishing our dogs as well as we nourish ourselves. They create a personalized meal plan that is made just for your dog, so this holiday season give the gift of quality food.
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26 Plants for Pet Parents
For the plant lover and companion animal guardian in your life, take the stress out of worrying about which plants are safe for by giving a plant from Plants for Pet Parents. This online nursery is home to all pet-safe, indoor plants as well as sustainably crafted pots and home decor pieces that make choosing a gift simple as can be.
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27 Pup Pack dog water bottle
This convenient 3-in-1 dog water bottle carries water, a food dish, and water dish in one sleek package. Take it on hikes or to brunch or out on a walk, and enjoy the day without having to carry separate bottles and dishes.
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28 Newton’s orthopedic bed
This is the gold standard of animal beds. Keep your cats or dogs in comfort at any age and any size (they even have super sized beds for the largest of dogs) with this ultra-plush, easily washable, temperature regulating bed. It has long lasting support to ensure it will hold up for years to come.
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Cozy vegan gifts
Warm up with these cozy vegan must-haves.
29The Elephant Project stuffed animals
For the little ones on your list, gift a snuggly elephant that gives back. One hundred percent of the proceeds from these adorable stuffed animals go toward organizations that combat the poaching crisis or care for injured and abused elephants.
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30UnHide blanket
Give the gift of cozy with a luxurious, velvety soft, oversized UnHide blanket. Made with plant-based textiles, these fuzzy throws add instant hygge to any living space.
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31Conscious Step socks
Socks are still a bit of a joke gift for White Elephant exchanges and office Secret Santas, but when your purchase also goes to a nonprofit, this gift carries a bit more weight. All sock options are sustainably and ethically made and feature subtle yet fun prints like mini forest trees, cat ears, and turtles.
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32 LOHN vegan candles
Handcrafted by women in STEM, these vegan candles use 100 percent essential oils responsibly sourced from fruit rinds, bark, stems, leaves, herbs, and petals. With scents that travel from boreal forests to flowering coastlines to rippling grasslands, there’s a scent for every person on your list. And with a 50-hour burn time, these candles are a gift that keeps on giving.
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33 KuaiLu faux fur slippers
These fluffy faux fur and faux suede slippers are perfect for days lounging around on the sofa or working from home. They’ll keep feet toasty and warm, and they look super cute, too. They’re the ideal gift for the homebody in your life.
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34 Lazy Spa Day shower steamers
If you know someone who loves aromatherapy, then these aromatic shower steamers from Lazy Spa Day are the perfect gift. This set offers a range of options, from lemon and eucalyptus steamers for energizing morning showers to relaxing lavender scents for the evening.
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Self-care and crafty gifts
35Earthlove box
Send a little self-care with an Earthlove box. Each curated vegan and cruelty-free package contains eco-friendly items to enhance one’s day and make sustainable living a bit easier. For example, the Winter Holiday Box includes a luxurious body balm, upcycled denim napkins, a plush pillow, and more. The site also offers plenty of single-purchase items.
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DIY projects
Perfect for those who love to craft, these DIY kits are perfect for the creative souls on your list.
36Pottery with a Purpose kit
Fuel your loved one’s crafty personality with a DIY at-home pottery kit. The holiday bundles are particularly fun—think create-your-own candle holder and make-your-own mug (the latter comes with a hot chocolate bomb!). There are options for air-dry, so no fancy kiln is required, just some creativity and hands-on work.
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37 Laoese DIY planter craft kit
Teach the children in your life how to take trash and transform it into something useful with this DIY planter craft kit. It has everything they need to turn old bottles into flower pots in different shapes, including a dinosaur, a cat, and a unicorn.
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38 Sculpd candle-making kit
For the loved one who loves to get crafty, this fun candle-making kit from Sculpd includes everything they need to create both cute candles and their pots. It includes everything from soy wax to premium air-dry clay to a toolset and even fragrance oil.
Find it here
Bonus
Give the gift of VegNews this holiday season.
39 The VegNews Guide to Being a Fabulous Vegan
Part recipe cookbook and part how-to, this comprehensive, friendly guide can help anyone become a fabulous vegan (or the most fabulous version of their already-vegan selves). It’s the perfect way to yell, “Go Vegan!” at someone, but with a smile and the promise of a vegan doughnut.
Find it here
40VegNews Magazine subscription
This gift is timeless. Spread the vegan joy by purchasing an annual subscription for a friend, family member, or co-worker. Print and digital subscriptions are available for just $25. Take it up a notch and gift a VIP subscription for $49 to unlock free access to 50 back issues, automatic entry into product giveaways, VIP discounts, and more.
Find it here
For more holiday gift guides, read:
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.