Stuck for ideas on what to get someone for their birthday or Christmas present? Try going vegan!

If you’re anything like me, you know that you have plenty of time before someone’s birthday. That someone could be your wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend. Months and months, according to my birthday planner. So there’s definitely no need to worry about buying a gift for her right now…right?
Fast forward to today…OH MY GOODNESS…the birthday is in 3 days' time. Look, there’s no point chastising oneself about how you got to this point - the main thing is, what can you do about it right now? How do you go about finding something a little bit special, a little bit unique, and avoiding the big high street chains.
You’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ve researched the best handmade gifts for her, handmade gift ideas for friends, and best vegan gifts in the UK. So fear not! Just read on and your problems will be solved.
NB. When you buy something using the retail links in my blog, I may earn a small commission. However I don't get paid to make these reviews!

1. Best vegan gifts: Vegan Lemon and Peppermint Lip Balm
Maybe this isn’t the sexiest of vegan gifts, but it’s thoughtful, cruelty and plastic free, plant-based, and is sure to score you green points with your sustainability thoughtfulness. Plus, it’ll make kisses taste even better. It claims to be perfect for anyone who suffers from cold sores, or persistent chapping and blistering.
My partner has plenty of allergies to commercial lip balms, so this is something I’d definitely be keen on trying.
A reviewer said "I used to suffer from 5 to 6 cold sore outbreaks a year and since applying this little balm regularly I have managed to fend them off and have not succumb to one so far!"
Well there you go!

2. Lavender Lime Hair Conditioner Bar
Instead of slathering on that conditioner you bought at the supermarket, only to chuck the plastic container into the recycling at a later date, how about this: it’s a natural hair care bar perfect for frizzy hair - plastic free, chemical and preservative free, and totally vegan!
There’s zero solid waste with this conditioner bar, and not only is it made from wholesome ingredients (shea butter, cocoa butter, oat kernel extract and essential oils) but it also deeply nourishes, so you can say goodbye to dry, lifeless hair. If you’re looking for a vegan gift for her (or him), this is a nice idea to add to a gift box.
It’s ranked number 1 in handmade hair care products on Amazon UK, and you get to choose from loads of delicious flavours like Lavender Lime; Rose, Lavender, and Grapefruit; Eucalyptus and Lemon; Spiced Orange; Rosemary and Lime; Patchouli Rose; Spiced Cedar and Eucalyptus Spearmint.

3. Snow Angels Wax Melt
Coming in at #2 of Amazon’s homemade home fragrance category are these luxury wax melt snapper clamshells from the Smelly Wax Company. The fragrance is inspired by a popular bath bomb retailer (and apparently they smell LUSH), and they’re made with natural, plant-based sustainable vegan wax.
If you’re unfamiliar with wax melts, all you need is a wax melt burner - just pop the wax in, light your candle (or an electric burner if you have one) and enjoy the relaxing, comforting aromas. If you’re looking for a birthday gift for a vegan, then this looks like it would be a great addition to your shopping list!

4. Old Bookshop Soy Wax Candle Gift
I guess not everybody will be a fan of the ‘old bookshop’ smell - someone of us might like a ‘new book shop’ aroma - but to me this evokes such an atmosphere that I almost instantly feel like I might be sat in an old Chesterfield armchair, surrounded by piles of leather-bound novels, and one of those green glass reading lamps next to me. Potentially an old lurcher resting in front of the open fire too. And perhaps this is more of a gift for a vegan friend or husband, but I always like to include a range of people to buy gifts for, so here we are (if any of my friends are reading, yes I would be happy to accept an Old Bookshop Soy Wax Candle for my next vegan birthday gift).
The richly-scented candle has scents of grated ginger, dark plum, incense, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, white patchouli, light amber, cashmere and tobacco leaf. And it’s made with 100% pure natural eco soy wax, vegan, cruelty free - all handmade in London.

5. Rose & Frankincense Cream & Serum Gift Set
This claims to be the perfect vegan anti-ageing gift set - a bold claim, but one that is yet to be disproven! We’re all getting on, and even people in their 30s are prone to the rapid increase of grey hairs. So why not start a good practice, and beat life at its own game?
This vegan gift set uses carefully selected range of essential oils of rose, frankincense, geranium and lavender to fight ageing and nurture dry skin; paired with ‘skin saviour’ frankincense to make the light and creamy facial moisturiser. If you’re new to face oils, the serum is an intense and highly hydrating (yet light) oil which is said to smell amazing - the roses and lavender, blended with jojoba and coconut oil release their beneficial qualities whilst you just lie there, asleep. That sounds like easy work to me.
So, could this be one of the best vegan gifts or handmade gifts in the UK?

6. Reclaimed Handmade Rustic Console Table
Ok, so this gift probably won’t fit in a standard gift bag, but it’s highly rated on Amazon, and will help you make use of those irritating spaces in the hallway which are monopolised by things like radiators or shoe racks, allowing you to create instant space, style and organisation.
They’re handmade in Coventry from sustainable reclaimed wood, and don’t cost the earth either - a great statement furniture piece for your home.
We like that they are made from reclaimed wood, which could otherwise have been scrapped, burned or just left to rot. So with these tables, you’ll scoring major environmental points - and you’ll be able to see evidence of the wood’s past life: knots, natural colour variations, weathered surfaces, cracks, saw marks - all waxed to enhance, enrich and preserve.
There are plenty of colour options and choices in size too.

7. Pumpkin Spice Handmade Candle
Yes, this is yet another candle on our list - but frankly, a ‘best vegan gifts for her’ list is never complete without at least 10 to 20 candles. Who could argue with that?! (Ed: maybe if we spent less money on candles and more on investing in the S&P500 we would be writing this blog from the Caribbean)
This candle is 100% all natural soy wax, vegan-friendly, and uses high quality essential oils. Plus, if you’re an autumn-lover like we are, you’ll be counting down the days until the leaves turn orange and you can go and frolic at a pumpkin farm, and basically become a pumpkin for a few weeks.
A reviewer said “on opening the package not only was I greeted with the most beautiful smelling pumpkin spice aroma and a candle that looks so pleasing to a little note from the seller”.
So get your autumn on, and start living your autumnal fantasy…why wait for the leaves?!

8. Handmade Fused Glass Rainbow Sun Catcher
Just deviating from the obvious vegan gift candle theme for a moment, our eyes were caught by this really lovely handmade sun catcher. We love that it’s totally handmade by owner of this small UK business, from hand cut glass and fused together with a glossy finish. Just imagine this cute sun catcher hanging by your window all year round and shining all those beautiful colours into your living room or bedroom.
A delightful little handmade gift idea for friends or partners!

9. Dandelion Make a Wish Love Pendant
Another really cute handmade gift idea made from real dandelion flowers and leaves, this pendant is set in sterling silver and is a great gift idea for her, or that someone special. As each piece is handmade, that makes the one you buy really unique.
Folklore says that if you make a wish on a dandelion, it’ll bring you good luck and hope - and we think this handmade gift idea will also do exactly that.

10. Fairy Garden Mushroom Ornaments
This choice might seem a bit left field, but we just couldn’t resist adding it to our best handmade gift ideas list. These little garden ornaments are just adorable, and just perfect for adding a touch of levity and fun to your garden. They’re handmade from strong stoneware clay, frost proof and will not fade even in strong sunlight - so you can leave them out all year round.
These designs are handmade in the UK by Sally Moss, so you’ll also be supporting a small UK business - a great handmade, sustainable gift idea, especially for garden lovers.

11. Sweet Pea, Lily & Fresh Apple Artisan Vegan Candle Jar
Time to get back to the candles again, as if they haven’t already been mentioned enough. But they’re just such a great vegan gift idea!
These particular vegan candles are hand poured in Suffolk, with a 50 hour burn time, and made from pure soy and coconut wax. Like the others on this list, they are 100% vegan and cruelty free, meaning that they haven’t been tested on animals.
Suffolk Candles’ small batch handcrafted range is inspired by the seasons in Suffolk, from cool seaside air and sand to summer barley fields and autumnal apple orchards.
Scents include warm apple crumble and cinnamon; zesty blood orange with hint of verbena, old leather scrolls, patchouli and tobacco smoke, and gin and tonic amongst many.
BRB, we’re just off to Suffolk to get a whiff of all these amazing fragrances!!

12. Black Opium Vegan Reed Diffuser
Black opium is nothing to do with actual opium, so there’s no need to worry about a team of sniffer dogs turning up at your door - it’s an addictive ‘gourmand’ floral with notes of black coffee, white florals and vanilla, for sweetness and sensuality. This is a highly scented ‘luxury’ scent which reviewers on Amazon have been loving, and is also cruelty-free, alcohol-free and vegan - which is why it has made our ‘best gifts for vegans’ list!
Made by Hampshire Gardens (don’t they just sound delightful!), this is just one of a large range of scents - they have over 80 available. Maybe that’s too much choice for you, in which case, just go with Black opium.

13. Luxury Therapeutic Bath Bombs Gift Pack
Personally, I’ve always favoured showers over baths - I think it’s inherently because of laziness. But - these bath bombs look so nice that I am seriously considering changing my habits before the water company put our meter in, so that I can experience the unmatched relaxation that you get with bath bombs.
These handmade bath bombs include refreshing and relaxing scents like rose, lavender and floral blends, all made with 100% natural ingredients and epsom salts. They will leave your skin feeling nourished and moisturised and it actually promotes cellular regeneration.

14. Set of Refillable Personalised Pump Dispenser Bottles
No more mismatched store-bought hand wash bottles clashing with the shampoo and body wash ones…get a lovely set of refillable, eco-friendly ones instead. Inspired by Mrs Hinch, these refillable pump dispenser bottles can be personalised - and add a gorgeous aesthetic to your bathroom.

15. Art Deco Edwardian-style Earrings with Ivory Pearls
There are loads of earrings out there, but these vintage style ones just tickled our fancy. They’re elegant, art deco-inspired and hand made in the UK - perfect for a slightly different, and totally unique gift for her (or him!)
Each pair of earrings includes antiqued sterling silver plated connector and sterling silver plated lever back ear wires, with an ivory pearl teardrop glass bead, and dainty clear Swarovski crystal bicone bead.

16. Robin Red Breast Glass Sun Catcher
This item is just sooooo cute - we have already mentally put it up in our window in readiness for a glimpse of sunshine to peak through!
Measuring 5cm x 8cm, this adorable little Robin is great for your windows, walls, as a tree decoration (dare we say the ‘C’ word this early in the year?), both indoors and outdoors. It’s made our list of ‘best handmade gift ideas’ as it’s made in the UK, by hand.

17. Memorial Ornament - Remember Your Loved Pets, Friends and Family
When our beloved pets pass on - all too soon - we all want to remember them in as many ways as we can and keep their memory alive. A perfect way of doing this are these hand-drawn ornaments, which come in a range of colours, either as a flat circle, or as a bauble. Technically, you don’t have to keep them to pets’ names, as you can have one as a keepsake to remember anybody from a lost loved one, to a new baby, or dogs and cats that you still have! It's such a lovely, thoughtful way to remember a loved one, and is certainly worthy of being one of our best handmade gift ideas.

18. Red Rose Floating Locket in 18 Carat Gold
Nearly last, but definitely not nearly least, these handmade gifts are perfect for the lady in your life, and feature dried rose flower petals under a glass photo frame on an 18 carat gold plated chain. It’s a beautiful way to express your love - roses are an expression of timeless beauty, and symbolises passion, deep love and sincerity.

19. Quick, Tasty and Easy - 300 Vegan Based Cookbook Recipes!
Finally, just to up the ante on our best vegan gift ideas for friends or family - this vegan-based recipe cookbook includes over 300 mouth-watering recipes for everyone to enjoy! (it's not on Amazon though).
Personally, I try and follow a vegan diet, but it does get hard when the inspiration starts to wane of what to actually cook, day after day. So this brilliant vegan cookbook, which contains absolutely loads of tasty, high protein recipes, seems like the answer to my problems and one of the best vegan gift ideas. These are all recipes which are both plant-based, and have a combined prep and cook time of 30 minutes or under. And you’ll be able to access it from your computer, tablet, or phone from wherever you are.
In this package you get:
- 150 Vegan Recipes Filled with colourful fresh fruit, nutrient-rich toppings, and full of natural goodness as beautiful as they are delicious!
- 100 Vegan Sandwich Recipes Including Breakfast Sandwiches, Topless Sandwiches, Chilled Sandwiches, Deli Delights, Specialty Sandwiches, Sweet Dessert Sandwiches, and more.
- 50 Vegan Salad Recipes Including Legume Salads, Grain-Based Salads, Vegetable Based Salads, Green Salads, Pasta Salads, and more.
So it’s not technically a vegan gift idea - more like a delicious gift idea for vegans!
Why it's important to consider vegan and homemade gift ideas
There are many reasons to buy vegan gifts - especially ones that are handmade in the UK.
You’re being kind to animals
Firstly, you can be assured no animal has suffered in producing your gift. Gifts which aren't suitable for vegetarians may contain products made from animal parts, including some ‘vegan’ cosmetics, perfumes and bodycare products have undergone testing on animals.
You’re supporting local businesses
By buying vegan and/or handmade gifts in the UK, you're supporting local businesses, ethical businesses and sustainable businesses. Reducing the miles that the product has to travel - instead of buying a product from the other side of the world - means that you are helping to protect our planet.
You’re getting something a little more unique
Often, gifts for her or him will involve taking a trip to the high street, or going online to a big retailer, such as John Lewis. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to be said for getting products from a large high street store, speaking as a person who only yesterday took delivery of a new air fryer (tell me you’re middle aged without telling me you’re middle aged…)
But by shopping around, and selecting vegan or handmade products, you’ll be finding things which most large chains don’t stock - and in doing so, finding gift ideas which are pretty unique, and much more thoughtful.
Up next: 'Toilet Training a Puppy and Music for Dogs?! 10 of the Best Dog Behaviour Training and Courses'
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