Hello and welcome back to Eight Years In. And if you’re new here, welcome! With the holidays coming up, I really wanted to take a look at this season. I find that many new vegans can find it daunting, both the idea of going to a nonvegan celebration as well as hosting their own. And I wanted to alleviate some of that fear because one thing you learn after being vegan for a while is that you can still enjoy your special days, in largely similar ways that you always have. So what I mean to say is if you’re worrying, don’t panic just yet. Vegan holidays can be great, and I can teach you how to do them.
Thanksgiving
I have already gotten Thanksgiving pretty well covered on this site, because for some reason that seems to be the more commonly distressing holiday for vegans. So if you’re concerned about going to your usual Thanksgiving as a now-vegan, read this post.
And remember, you can always host your own, like we’re talking about in this post. While today we’re going to talk about holiday parties in general, if you’re looking to specifically host a vegan Thanksgiving (also known as Thanksliving), check out this piece!
Talk to your guests
From the beginning you’re going to want to be really clear about what your objective is. Are you shooting for a fully vegan gathering? Or are you simply hosting because you want to make sure that you have enough to eat and you want others to get a chance to try vegan food?
You’ll want to talk to your guests about the menu you have planned, and if you want them to bring anything, like any other gathering. But you will also want to tell them if what they’re bringing needs to be vegan. (No, most people will not just connect the dots and assume that you want them to bring vegan food, if that’s what you’re looking for.)
It also helps to give them some suggestions and ideas. For instance, if you know of a really good vegan prepackaged dessert or drink, let them know. Not only does this help avoid the awkward “oops, that’s not vegan. Well, we can still eat it, right?” But for those that do have a more cautious nature and are looking to please, they then have a definite option to look for.
The conversation
Another thing that’s good to think about beforehand is what role veganism is going to play in this gathering, and whether all guests are on board with that. What I mean is, is this just going to be a regular holiday where the food just so happens to be vegan or are you trying to be a teacher?
If you do want to say a couple words here and there about veganism in general or the vegan status of the food, I would recommend you really think through who is going to be there and if they are willing to listen to that. Sometimes, even though getting the vegan message out there is a good thing, you will make more ground by not saying much of anything and simply letting the good vegan food speak for itself. Not to mention that discussions around veganism can be incredibly precarious in nonvegan company.
You don’t want to be known as the annoying vegan who ruins holidays. Not that the animals don’t need your voice. They do. But make sure you’re using it in the most effective way you can. Normally, vegan food will not ruin anything. Since you can have an amazing vegan menu, filled with all of the festive indulgences that you could imagine. And if your guests have already signed on for giving it a try, you can likely just plan for a pretty good time.
The menu
So let’s talk about the food, since the rest usually takes care of itself when it comes to holidays. (Well, except maybe the decorations but that’s not so different as a vegan.) I think there are two main approaches when it comes to vegan holiday menu planning. And I like to mix and match both of them from time to time. Some years I will favor one over the other.
Festive flavors!
This is the one you’ll want to use if you’re a whole foods vegan and planning a healthier, whole plant based foods holiday approach.
What you’ll do is have a quick brainstorm of the flavors that you associate with this holiday/season. Maybe it’s pumpkin, corn, cranberries, etc. Maybe it’s certain spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, sage, thyme or rosemary. Put together a list of all of the important players and plan your menu around that.
For instance, you can try marinating and roasting your seitan or tofu in the same flavors you would a turkey—with some poultry seasoning, and maybe some chickenless bouillon or both. You could make herbed potatoes or other vegetables such as carrots or squash. And of course, many salads that are served at the holiday dinner table can be veganized fairly simply. For dessert you can bake some fruit like apples or pears with sweetener and warm spices.
Make it familiar
If you do have a little bit more pocket money and you’re trying to impress some nonvegans, you might want to go the replacement route, at least for some things. For example, plant milk and butter can turn “vegan mashed potatoes” into something a nonvegan has no palatable issue with.
There are so many vegan replacement products these days, and the ones that are on the market seem to be getting more impressive by the day. I like to use the holidays as an excuse to try out more replacement products leading up to the gathering I’m hosting. You know, just to make sure they’re quality stuff. (Wink wink.)
Now it is worth noting that many of these replacement foods are not healthy. And the ones that are okay for you still aren’t going to be as healthy for you as whole, unprocessed plants. That being said, the holidays can be a good time to let go a little bit and focus on the joy you can share with your guests over the deliciousness that you’ve created. Believe me when I say that vegan or not, that’s something we all can and do share.
So don’t be shy to create some holiday dishes for your guests that are familiar for them. Not only is it enjoyable for all, it can help illustrate the point that eating vegan doesn’t have to be this big, weird, different thing. It can be delicious, easy, familiar and fun. You can make new memories (and impact) over the same foods you’ve always enjoyed, just in a slightly different way. And that’s pretty special.
How veganism changes things
The truth is, your holidays don’t have to change that much once you go vegan. That being said, your perspective on them likely will.
First of all, it is true that there are new logistics involved in changing all your usual recipes to being vegan friendly. But once you got your old favorites down pat, you don’t really miss how it used to show up for you before going vegan. That’s the good news.
The slightly less good news (or perhaps just more uncomfortable in the short term) is that your perspective on the holidays changes. People every year sit down with their families and friends and reconnect and bond over the products of animal suffering. And once you go vegan (or become aware of that suffering), it’s difficult to come to terms with.
But then there’s a secondary wave of disillusionment that happens sometimes, depending on your social circle. Where you take away those foods that you always bonded over and realize…there’s not much left. With some people, holidays are literally nothing more than inviting the people over that you’re “supposed to” and eating a turkey carcass. And by refusing to eat that turkey, it’s like you’re suddenly refusing your whole connection to them.
Real Connections
It can really hurt to realize that you’re in a relationship (family or otherwise) where you’re not prioritized as an individual but rather simply expected to fill a space and play a role. I will tell you that most of the people you have a connection with will eventually come around. It may take them a while as it did with many of my family members, but eventually they will get used to it and learn to meet you on your own terms. But there will also be that small subset of people that just won’t. And in those cases, you’ve essentially honed the relationship by going vegan.
In these cases, I really recommend surrounding yourself with more genuine people. Vegans too, if you can find them. But just genuine people who will be a good community for you and accept your choices in life. People who you matter to, more than whether or not you partake in their turkey carcass. People who are willing to try food that you make, even though it doesn’t contain any animal products. Vegan or not, these are the kinds of people that you want in your life and at your holiday table.
The holidays
Really, when it comes down to it, the holidays don’t have to be anything convoluted. And they arguably shouldn’t. Regardless of what you’re celebrating, holidays ought to be a pleasant yet simple affair. Good food and good company. (And good activities, if you’re so inclined.) If all you have is a loving table and a list a mile long of gratitudes, you’re one of the richest people in the world.
Happy Holidays, everyone. And may your veganism be no obstacle to your good time. Thank you for reading my thoughts. Please share this post with other vegans and vegan-interested folks, and give us your tips for awesome vegan holidays in the comments. And, as usual, have a lovely day.