Did you know that there are 2.5 million vegans and vegetarians in Australia? These numbers are growing every day, as more and more people are perusing this way of life that doesn’t include and doesn’t support animal exploitation and cruelty for clothing or food, or any other purpose. These people are promoting alternatives, in order to benefit animals, humans, and of course, Mother Nature. Nowadays there are many options when it comes to choosing the right gift for vegans because a lot of businesses are offering vegan, animal cruelty-free products.
Vegan Leather Bag
Handbags are not just a fashion statement, they’re a necessity. They’re practical accessories that every woman needs. But when you have a vegan friend that cares about the animals and the environment you have to be careful what type of bag you’ll choose. This is the time to go for a premium-quality vegan handbag that will look stunning and pair with their lifestyle.
There are two types of vegan leather. The first one is PU or polyurethane, a synthetic thermoplastic polymer that looks and feels like natural leather. It even has a similar texture as well. It’s also waterproof and mildew resistant which can be good when rainy days come. Also, when compared to real leather, this one doesn’t crack in the sunlight. But on the other hand, it’s flammable and less durable.
The second type is PVC leather, and it shares the same characteristics as PU. One difference is that this one is cheaper and more durable. PVC has more layers inside than PU leather, four to be exact:
Base fabric leather backing;
Foam layer;
Skin layer;
Plastic coating.
Compared to other materials, vegan leather has many advantages over them. It’s very consistent in its colour because of its production process and it won’t fade away for a long time. One important thing is that these handbags are not hurting animals in any way, which is fundamental for the existence of veganism.
These bags also produce less waste and are often made of recycled materials which are very eco-friendly. The manufacturing process is effective and highly advanced. You can find a bag to suit your friend for sure because they come in a big variety of colours, styles and designs. You can get a very practical tote bag, an elegant handbag or even a backpack.
They’re suitable for formal attire and a sporty outfit. Some of them come with patterns and can have many pockets, zippers and compartments to fit anything your friend needs. You have many sizes to choose from as well. In recent years, these bags have become very popular, so you can also find many designer pieces that look luxurious, are sustainable and will last for a long time.
Vegan Cookbooks
The vegan cooking method is straightforward, but it occasionally requires a little skill and knowledge to combine the ingredients and create the right dish. Gifting a vegan buddy a cookbook will make preparing food for them much easier. If they’re new to this, a simple beginner’s guide will be perfect. It’ll teach them the basic combinations of ingredients and simple recipes they can start with.
This book will widen their meal plan and prepare them for the next steps. There are guides on Indian, Thai, Asian, African, Korean, Mexican, and many other cuisines if your friend has a particular interest in one of those regions of cooking and their feeding habits. They’re specifically designed for those cuisines and hold the most characteristic recipes and meals of the country or region.
Even if your friend has a sweet tooth, there are books for deserts as well. They’re usually healthy sweets that are incredibly delicious and don’t require a lot of time to prepare. There are hundreds of choices out there, you just need to know what your friend likes and enjoys, and you’ll find it for sure. And if you feel this isn’t enough, you can always add a vegan handbag in the mix and make it a nice vegan duo.
Tofu Press
Tofu is one of the most popular foods in the vegan world. It’s used to supplement the diet with protein and replace meat. It gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s and it’s made of pressed soybean curds. After a while, the tofu press was available for everyone to have in their home. It’s a simple device with the purpose of squeezing the moisture from the tofu.
Thanks to this press the tofu gets its texture and an enhanced flavour. It works by placing the press on a horizontal plane and adding a plate underneath to catch the liquid. They should turn the press’s screws after inserting the block of tofu until water begins to drip. This procedure takes 40 to 45 minutes. Every 5 to 10 minutes, they should tighten the screws on the press a little bit more so the water can completely drain.
You can even make it a cute birthday package by adding several different packages of tofu. It comes in several forms such as firm, extra firm, soft and silken. They’re all meant for different meals and preparations, so your buddy can enjoy them multiple times.
Vegan Makeup
Purely made from plants, vegan skincare and makeup include no artificial ingredients. They have a tonne of advantages and are cruelty-free like vegan leather handbags and almost always all-natural. These products include nail polishes, eyeliners, mascaras, foundations, lipsticks, balms and much more. As a vegan, they should already have these kinds of products on the shelves, but it’s never a bad idea to add a few more.
As the biggest organ in our body, the skin absorbs 60% of what we apply to it. That’s why is important to choose the makeup carefully. The vegan products are chemical-free and mostly use natural products such as chamomile, aloe vera or tea tree. Because of this, they’re very rich in vitamins and nutrients essential for the skin.
This also makes them anti-inflammatory and great for every skin type. If you’re not sure which products are vegan and which ones are not, read the label or ask the retailer. Even though most people believe that these products are expensive that’s not the case. They’re fairly inexpensive and have great value for the money. Buying a few of these products is a budget-friendly way of wishing a happy birthday to your vegan friend.