Veganism is on the rise, especially amongst travel addicts and digital nomads. So the chances are, you know at least one vegan traveler. And when Christmas and Birthdays come around you might find yourself frantically worrying about what to buy them.
Because veganism is a lifestyle, rather than just a diet, it can be tricky to find vegan-friendly gifts. Strict vegans only use cruelty free, eco-friendly products and toiletries. But classic travel gift items like bags, notebooks, wallets, and backpacks often contain leather. And when it comes to gifting edibles or smellies (bath and shower products) it can be hard to know what’s actually suitable for vegans.
So to help you perfect your gifts, and to make sure vegan travel addicts have a chance of receiving top-notch presents, here are 8 vegan travel gift ideas.
8 Eco-Friendly Vegan Travel Gifts
1: Watson & Wolfe Travel Document Wallet
Every travel addict needs a good travel wallet, and this is the sleekest vegan travel wallet I’ve come across. It’s made from eco and vegan leather which still has the same look and feel as real leather. 50% of the eco-leather is made from the bio-plant material from corn, so it also doesn’t take away from any food sources. The inside lining is also sustainable and vegan-friendly, made from recycled plastic bottles.
Unlike a lot of other travel wallets out there, this document holder has a thin design that can slip easily into a bag, purse or backpack. And despite its thin design, it can hold passports, cards, money, visas and any other important paperwork.
And if you’re hoping to give your vegan friend a personal gift, you can choose to have their initials embossed into the wallet. If you want to know more, check out my vegan travel wallet review.
2: Vegan Toiletries
Until you’ve traveled as a vegan, you won’t know the struggle of trying to find vegan-friendly soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Most of these toiletries will have been tested on animals, and some will even contain animal fats.
So a great vegan travel gift is a set of cruelty-free toiletries. This will save your friend from having to search high and low for vegan products in a foreign country.
If you know your vegan friend has a checked luggage allowance, you can buy them full size bottles to take with them on their next adventure. If they’re prone to traveling to light, there are plenty of vegan travel toiletries you could buy them.
3: Bamboo Travel Utensils
Fast-paced travel often equals a lot of quick meals on the go. And it can be tempting to use plastic utensils and straws. But these are so bad for the environment and aren’t even particularly nice to eat or drink with.
This set of bamboo utensils includes a bamboo straw, chopsticks and a compact carrying case. They can be washed and used multiple times, so they’re great for all meals. Not only are these utensils vegan, but they’re also super durable, so they’ll survive any adventure. They can also be used at home after the trip is over, a 2-in-1 gift option that keeps on giving!
4: Eat Your Coffee Caffeine Bars
Coffee is a must in the morning, especially for travellers who have days jam packed with activities. But for vegans, coffee on the go can be a challenge. You never know if you’ll find a coffee shop with non-dairy options. It can start to feel like it’s easier to just skip the coffee altogether, rather than searching for vegan-friendly cafes first thing in the morning.
These caffeinated snack bars solve that problem. They come in 3 different flavours: fudge mocha latte, peanut butter mocha, and salted caramel. And each bar has the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee. It’s like breakfast and your morning coffee in one easy bar. These are the perfect flight snacks, and can be taken in both hand and checked in luggage.
5: Saucony Sneakers
A company that stands for good causes, Saucony is a brand that creates vegan sneakers. A sturdy pair of shoes can come in handy on more than one occasion, in several different travel destinations, too.
Whether you’re planning on hiking mountains or just exploring new towns, having a comfortable pair of shoes is a must.
Saucony has options for men, women, and children, and there are plenty of colours and styles to choose from. They also run their own foundation called Run for Good; it promotes healthy lifestyles to children experiencing childhood obesity. With this vegan travel gift, you can rest assured that you’re supporting a quality brand with excellent values.
6: Elephant Dung Notebook
If there’s one thing every traveler needs, it’s a notebook. When you’re traveling you never know when you’ll need to make a note, plan an itinerary, or note down someone’s number. Sure we all have phones to make notes on, but technology isn’t always as reliable as a trusty pad and pen.
So a notebook or travel journal is a great gift for any keen wanderer. But if you want to go one step further, you should look into eco-friendly notebooks. And it doesn’t get more eco-friendly than this notebook made from elephant dung.
It’s handmade, fair trade and eco friendly, and it’s bound to get a few giggles when you reveal it’s made from elephant poop.
7: Eagle Creek Pack-It Clean Dirty Packing Cube
Separating your clean from your dirty clothes whilst traveling usually involves bringing along a plastic bag. Not only is this hard on the environment, but it can also be inconvenient. Rustling through a plastic bag in a hostel or hotel laundry room isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, and it’s definitely not discreet.
These packing cubes are a eco-friendly alternative to using a plastic bag for dirty washing. The cube is divided in two, with one side for clean clothes and one side for your dirties. And the material is designed in a way that any nasty smells won’t escape or leak into your clean section. Packing cubes are also a great way to organise backpacks or suitcases.
8: OneNine5 Eco-Friendly Travel Wash Bag
This gift is a great idea for eco-conscious vegan travellers. The wash bag can hold a range of their favourite vegan toiletries, and includes a reusable and detachable clear liquid bag. The clear liquid bag is TSA approved so it can be used for airport security.
The lining material is also made from recycled plastic, so this is a gift that contributes to the clean up of oceans and landfills. The lining is also waterproof and wipeable, so it will stay clean and free of any makeup stains.
This is also a gift that can last a lifetime, as OneNine5 will replace the wash bag free of charge if it reaches the end of its lifespan. And when you post it back to them, they’ll recycle the material so it doesn’t add to the growing waste problem.
I live in the UK, in the country’s most uneventful city, where the most interesting story in the local paper is about banning dressing gowns in supermarkets.
I travel and I write, because surely there are more interesting stories than that to write about and share.
