The holiday season is a time for joy, gratitude, and togetherness, and for those following vegan holidays, it can also be a time of culinary creativity and delicious food choices. Whether you’re hosting a holiday meal or attending an event, here are some tips on how to embrace the festive vegan holidays spirit while staying true to your plant based values.

Tips to Navigate the Vegan Holidays:

There are many ways to navigate your holiday and hold firm to your terms. This is your lifestyle and whether you choose to stay strict to vegan holidays or flex, it’s all about finding the balance that works for you. Here are some options that you may have.

Hosting – Ways to Make the Vegan Holidays Work For a Diverse Group of Eaters:

If you’re in charge of the holiday meal, making plant based swaps is an excellent way to ensure everyone enjoys a delicious spread without sacrificing tradition. Some easy substitutions include using plant based butter and milk in mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole. In most cases you can make these substitutions without anyone knowing, so you don’t have to make a big deal of these minor swaps. You can also explore delicious plant based dessert recipes or find store-bought options that fit your criteria. For those craving a centerpiece main dish, check out your local stores, including places like Trader Joe’s, for holiday specials like the VEGAN TURKEY-LESS STUFFED ROAST.

Navigating Vegan Holidays as a Guest:

When attending a holiday event, offering to bring a dish is a win-win strategy. It allows you to enjoy a guaranteed plant based option, it introduces others to the delicious world of plant based cuisine, and it helps the host. To appeal to a broad audience, opt for whole foods plant based recipes. If you suspect that some guests may be hesitant, mention that your dish contains natural food items, and no untraditional mock meats or tofu, etc that some may be averse to trying. This can make people more open to trying it and experiencing the flavors of plant based foods. Explore this Forks Over Knives article TIPS FOR VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE NOT PLANT-BASED for even more ideas to make your vegan holiday successful.

Flexibility is Key for Vegan Holidays:

While adhering to your plant based principles during the holiday season is feasible, it’s crucial to recognize that flexibility is entirely acceptable. Many families and friends hold dear holiday traditions connected to specific dishes that carry deep sentimental significance. If you feel comfortable, allow yourself the freedom to partake in these dishes without harboring guilt. After all, the holidays are a time for celebration and crafting cherished memories.

However, if you opt to maintain a strict adherence to your lifestyle and celebrate strict vegan holidays, it’s helpful to communicate this with the host, ensuring they are aware of your dietary preferences. Approach the situation with empathy and an understanding that a full special meal might not be feasible. Instead, collaborate with the host to find creative solutions that accommodate your plant based needs without inconveniencing them.

Simple Ideas For Vegan Holidays: An Easy Meal Plan

Here’s a simple meal plan for the vegan holidays:

Appetizers:

Easy plant based appetizers are a no-brainer for holiday parties throughout the holiday season. Simple to prepare and easy to “bring” these are some go-to choices to simplify the season. Check out this printable meal guide on GRAB AND GO APPETIZERS, GRAB AND COOK APPETIZERS, and more our whole PRINTABLE MEAL GUIDE section. For now, you can focus on these popular choices:

– Cut Veggies with Vegan Dip (like HIDDEN VALLEY PLANT POWERED RANCH)

– Bruschetta

– Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Fresh Veggies

– Spreadable Vegan Dip with Crackers (like BOURSIN DAIRY FREE)

Main Course:

– LOADED ACORN SQUASH

– ONE-POT RATATOUILLE

– Store-bought Vegan Holiday “Roast” (like Trader Joes, listed above)

Sides:

These side dishes are just modifications of the conventional versions of the dish. Substitute vegan butter for dairy butter, non-dairy milk for milk, etc. Changes made to these dishes will go largely unnoticed by your guests.

– Mashed Potatoes with Vegan Butter and Almond Milk

– SIMPLE VEGAN GRAVY with optional mushrooms

– Stuffing with Vegetable Broth and Plant Based Sausage

– Green Bean Casserole with Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup

– Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots

Dessert:

It’s kind of surprising, but you’ll find that many store-bought pies are actually in the plant based category. They may not be labeled as vegan, but they are, in fact, plant based. Read the label and use your judgment on this one if you’re okay with the lack of specific labeling.

– Vegan Pumpkin Pie
– Vegan Apple Pie
– MARIE CALLENDAR’S RAZZLEBERRY FRUIT PIE – which is a simple ready to bake option to make it even more “homemade.”

Crafting this straightforward meal plan is a breeze, and it’s designed to please not only plant-based enthusiasts but also those with more conventional dietary preferences. You’ll find that many of these items are readily available at your neighborhood grocery store, or if you’re seeking premium and delectable offerings for the vegan holidays, stores like Whole Foods offer a curated selection, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

Remember, the holidays are about celebrating, connecting, and sharing love with friends and family. With these tips and a bit of preparation, you can enjoy festive vegan holidays while staying true to your plant based lifestyle. So, embrace the joy of the season, savor delicious plant based dishes, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.