I thought I would get my feet wet by posting my pick of cruelty-free stocking stuffers that you can get last minute in Halifax. A lot of people claim that it's hard to find vegan items and that they're expensive. That's not true! You can find vegan items in most mainstream stores.A lot of vegan items are comparable in price to non-vegan items. Some vegan items are a little more expensive but they tend to be higher quality, made from better ingredients and come from companies that actually care.
Why is it important for people to choose cruelty-free products? To put it simply, if you're reading this, you can survive and thrive without killing, exploiting animals or testing on animals. If you don't think that animals should be hurt, vote with your dollars and buy from companies that are making animal-free and cruelty-free products.
Without further ado, here are some of my picks:
Personal care products by Kiss My Face
Where to find them: Superstore and Sobey's in the Natural section, Pete's Frootique
If you're the type of person that likes to put personal care products in stockings, Kiss My Face is for you! You can find a range of products from KMF in the grocery store. They usually always carry moisturizer, moisture, body wash, tooth paste and deodorant. The Moisture Shave is my product of choice for in the shower. It comes in many awesome scents and a bottle lasts me a long time.
Tom's of Maine, Green Beaver, Alba, Jason's and Desert Essence are also readily available in the Natural section of the grocery store so keep an eye out for them.
Where to find them: Lush store at the Mic Mac Mall
If you're trying to impress someone who is fun and funky, I highly recommend checking out Lush. Lush is full of personal care products that come in bright, bold colours and unique scents. They have fun bath bombs and bubble bars for people who love to lounge in the tub and awesome shower gels, shampoos and soaps for people like me who'd rather shower. I currently have a bottle of Snow Fairy shower gel from last Christmas in my shower. It's pink, it smells like candy and most importantly,it is full of glitter that makes me happy. They also have pre-wrapped gift boxes in all sizes that you can grab and give.
Note: Not all of their products are vegan, but most are. Vegan items are clearly labeled on the packaging.
Where to find it: Chapters/Coles/Indigo, online
If you have a foodie to shop for and an extra-wide stocking, why not give them an awesome cook book? When Thug Kitchen came out, both vegans and meat-eaters were picking this up and boasting about it on my social media newsfeed. What makes this book so approachable? The swearing in it. It reads like it was written by a couple of... well... thugs. The recipes are god-damn amazing so it's well worth the fucking money (as Thug Kitchen may put it).
A gift card from Fruition
Where to get it: Fruition at the Halifax Seaport Market or the Fruition Cafe at 6389 Coburg Rd.
If you're trying to stuff a tiny stocking or you're looking to please someone who loves healthy treats, why not pick up a gift card from Fruition? Fruition has 2 locations in Halifax to meet your needs. The Seaport market location has tons of raw vegan desserts, fresh juice, smoothies and a salad bar. The Fruition Cafe has some hot treats like soup, sandwiches, cookies and specialty coffees. Both locations are gluten-free and worth the visit!
If you're trying to impress a foodie, EnVie has gift cards too!
Endangered Species Creme Filled Chocolate Bars
Where to find it: Organic Earth Market
A lot of dark chocolate is naturally vegan, so if you want to give someone a sweet treat, just check the label for milk ingredients. One of my favorite vegan bars are the cream filled line of Endangered Species. The ingredients are non-GMO and fair-trade. Part of the profits go towards charity. My favorite is the Sea Salt and Lime! If you're looking to purchase other Endangered Species bars, just check the label. Not all of them are vegan.
Larabars
Where to find them: Sobeys and Superstore in the Naturals section, Costco, Pete's Frootique
Larabar just recently switched their ingredients so that all of the original fruit and nut bars are vegan. Larabars are date-based energy bars that come in many fun varieties like Apple Pie and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. My favorite are the kinds that contain chocolate or peanut butter. You cannot find all of the varieties here, but you can find a lot of them.
Where to find it: Some Superstores (Joseph Howe carries them), Old Navy, Winners, Marshalls
If you're looking for cruelty-free affordable make-up, check out E.L.F. I use their eye shadows, eye pencils and powder. Old Navy has little gift packages of E.L.F products that I highly recommend you check out!
Adopt an Animal from North Mountain Animal Sanctuary
North Mountain Animal Sanctuary is Nova Scotia's only farm animal sanctuary. They are currently home to 2 pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats and a sheep. You can sponsor an animal from them for only $30. If you're not from Nova Scotia, do a search for farm animal sanctuaries in your area and consider sponsoring an animal for someone you love.
Other stocking-stuffer ideas:
Small board games and card games
Gloves, hats, mittens and socks (make sure they're free from angora, wool, fur and leather)
Locally made jewelry (also make sure it's free from animal products)
Craft kits
Books
Ornaments
Tea (make sure it's free from dairy and honey)
Stainless Steel travel mug or water bottle
Vegan homemade baked goods
A donation to an animal charity
Do you have anything to add? Post them in the comments.
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