Vegan Gift Baskets: The Plant-Based Gift Guide

Have a hard-to-shop-for vegan friend? Don’t know which vegan ingredients are genuinely vegan? With more than 9.7 million people in the U.S. following a plant-based diet these days, it’s more than likely that at least a few of your loved ones are vegan. 

When you’re looking for things to put in a vegan gift basket, you might be overwhelmed with all the options out there. But fear not, friends -- we’re here to help!

In this plant-based gift guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about picking vegan products to help you make an undeniably awesome gift basket that any vegan would love. 

 

First Things First. What Exactly Is A Vegan Gift Basket?

When it’s time to celebrate, whether it’s a birthday, the holiday season, the arrival of a new bundle of joy, or an upcoming wedding, sending a DIY gift basket is a wonderful way to show someone you’re thinking of them and wish them well. 

However, if you’re sending a basket to someone who is vegan, it can be a little tricky knowing which products out there are appropriate for their lifestyle. A vegan gift basket is one that doesn’t include any items that contain animal products. 

That means they don’t contain:

• Animal products or by-products, such as dairy and meat, but also by-products like whey or gelatin

• Beauty products tested on animals

• Clothing or personal care items that include leather, wool, silk, or fur

• Any other products from animals

Is There A Way To Check To See If A Product Is Vegan?

You might be feeling a little overwhelmed with how to figure out if a gift is truly vegan -- and we don’t blame you. Many products that claim they’re vegan are sometimes not 100 percent vegan even if they have some vegan ingredients. If you aren’t totally sure, it’s best to just double-check the ingredient lists. 

Beeswax, gelatin, and honey are common ingredients that aren’t considered vegan but sometimes find their way in vegan products -- so skip any gifts that contain them. 

 

OK, But What If It Says That It “May Contain” Animal Products?

Good question! If a food product doesn’t have milk in the ingredients, for example, but is labeled as “may contain milk” or “ may contain traces of milk,” it’s generally suitable for vegans. 

You see, that label doesn’t mean that the manufacturer randomly adds milk to the product if they are feeling a little mischievous that day. What it means is that the food is produced in a shared facility where dairy products are also produced -- so there may be a super slight chance of cross-contamination. That means the label is important to people with dairy allergies, but to vegans who don’t want to consume or spend money toward dairy -- the food is generally very appropriate to buy and eat.

 

What To Put In A Vegan Gift Basket

Now that you know what vegan products look like and which ingredients to stay far, far, away from, let’s start building a killer gift basket that any vegan would be happy to receive.

 

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is well known as “nature’s candy” for a reason. 

We recommend dried fares such as apples, raisins, figs, apples, cranberries, and dates. Dried fruit is super healthy, undeniably tasty, and will add a nice pop of color to your vegan gift basket. 

 

Popcorn

There’s good-for-you popcorn, and then there’s not-so-good-for-you popcorn. Air-popped popcorn kernels are a healthy whole grain snack that has protein and fiber, making it a great addition to any vegan gift basket. Steer clear of pre-bagged stuff, as it usually has weird artificial ingredients and a hefty dose of butter.

Proper Wild’s Clean All-Day Energy Shots

We can all use an energy boost from time to time, but most energy drinks on the market contain animal by-products like taurine and BCAA’s. Rather than gifting your vegan pal a questionable energy drink with a confusing ingredients list -- give them Proper Wild.

These tasty 100% plant-based energy shots have a short, simple list of ingredients and are flavored with real fruit juices like blackberry and peach mango with zero grams of added sugar and absolutely no animal by-products.

We should warn you, however, that these mouth-watering energy shots are bursting with flavor, and you just might end up keeping this gift to yourself -- so maybe get two.   

 

Trail Mix

Who doesn’t love a good trail mix?

Homemade vegan trail mix is not only super thoughtful because, well, you made it -- but it’s also a great alternative to store-bought trail mix because you can make 100 percent sure that it’s truly vegan. Stick with raw or roasted nuts, unsweetened dried fruits, and seeds. You can even toss in a few vegan chocolate chunks to sweeten it up a bit. 

Need help coming up with a tasty vegan trail mix recipe? Try this easy recipe!

• ¾ cup unsalted peanuts (roasted or raw)

• ¾ cup unsalted pepitas (roasted or raw)

• ¾ cup unsalted almonds (roasted or raw)

• ½ cup banana chips (unsweetened)

• ½ cup chopped papaya (unsweetened)

• ½ cup raisins

• ¼ - ½ cup toasted coconut flakes

• ¼ - ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks

 

Veggie Chips

No, we’re not talking about the bagged vegetable chips you see in the snack aisle -- which, believe it or not, have very minimal vegetables actually in them. Certain veggies, like beets, kale, or potatoes, make mighty fine chips when roasted in the oven with a little oil and a dash of sea salt. 

Roast your vegan friends’ favorite veggie and turn it into a chip for a great addition to their gift basket that they’re sure to love

Fresh Fruit

No matter how you slice it -- you can’t ignore the fresh stuff!

Fresh fruit will always be a welcomed addition to any vegan gift basket. Plus, they’re a really great space filler! Some of the best fruits to add to your basket include:

• Apples

• Avocados

• Cherries

• Dates

• Oranges

• Pears

• Pineapples

• Tangerines

• Tomatoes

• Zucchini 

Bottom Line

Following a vegan lifestyle comes with a ton of really wonderful benefits. From supporting a happy heart to making the environment a healthier place, some might even say veganism is the ultimate diet. 

However, the truth is that it’s hard. Like really hard. That’s why having great friends who are supportive can make all the difference in one’s vegan journey.

That being said, keep in mind that thoughtfully creating a vegan gift basket is the most meaningful part of the process. So don’t feel like you have to be an expert at artistic arrangements because, at the end of the day, it’s the eco-friendly and ethical products inside that matter. 

Here at Proper Wild, we believe in simple ingredients that are backed by science. That’s why we’ve created our Clean All-Day Energy Shots, made with zero grams of added sugar and absolutely nothing artificial. Oh, and the best part? 

They’re 100% vegan.

Try our undeniably tasty shots today and experience the difference that clean energy can make -- you just might be surprised.