As we roll around to yet another holiday season, many people arrive at the same question they ask every year: what should I get them? The stress and the lack of an answer often leads us to purchase whatever is convenient—perhaps a gift bundle of gloves and a hat and hand lotion they’ll never use, a pointless trinket that will end up in a landfill, or another candle filled with chemicals that they don’t want to light in their home.
With it becoming increasingly crucial to shop with intention to lessen the burden on our environment while supporting smaller companies who share your ethos, we’ve gathered a list of gift ideas—good for gift givers and receivers who care about the impact they have.
For the dedicated dog (or cat) parent:
Glad Dog Nation donates 100% of their profits to their 501c3 Glad Dogs Foundation, which provides free toys and other essential supplies to shelters, rescues, and communities across the country! Shop all sorts of toys for your pet and know that the profits are going to help others who don’t yet have a forever home.
Dog biscuit cookbook from Friends of Animals
A dog biscuit recipe cookbook that promises to thrill your dogs and enchant your dog-loving friends. This book features 12 beautifully illustrated recipes-one for each month-which contain seasonal, plant-based ingredients and complement the holidays. You can even opt to include a bone-shaped cookie cutter with your order!
For the homemaker:
Hyde Nor Hare’s founder, Jenny, is a dedicated vegan who wanted to create a candle that not only didn’t contain any animal products but also avoided ingredients that are harmful to our health and environment (think phthalates, dyes, and wasteful packaging). She even donates 5% of her profits to a favorite animal sanctuary of hers! The scents are delightful, and you can feel good supporting a small business that is conscious of its impact.
Counterstand Set from Lettuce Grow
For those who weren’t exactly born with a green thumb, this set allows users to easily grow delicious herbs and veggies right on their countertop! It’s a great introduction to Lettuce Grow’s hydroponic systems which help any plant-based eater cook with their own fresh ingredients.
For the beauty queen:
Vegan and cruelty-free makeup from Pacifica
It is shocking to us that in 2025, several makeup brands are still testing on animals. Pacifica has been dedicated to staying 100% vegan and cruelty free since 1996. They produce staple skincare products and trendy makeup that far outperform animal-exploiting drugstore brands.
Vegan and cruelty-free haircare from Eva NYC
A shiny and voluminous mane doesn’t have to come at the cost of cruelty. Brooklyn-based haircare brand Eva NYC offers everyday essentials and spa night hair masks that will satisfy any beauty-obsessed person on your list!
Vegan and cruelty-free soaps and skincare from Fanciful Fox
At The Fanciful Fox, every soap and skincare product begins the same way: with intention, integrity, and one woman pouring her heart into the details. Kath, the founder, formulator, and creative spirit behind it all has created a deeply personal skincare line—designed to honor the skin you’re in, at every age and every stage. Every product is 100% vegan and cruelty free. She does not work with ingredient suppliers that test on animals. You can even guarantee that the products are completely palm free.
For kids:
Experience Passes
Instead of an object that will go to waste, consider purchasing a pass to your local trampoline park, science center, outdoor obstacle course, or another kid-friendly activity. This is a zero-waste gift and allows kids to enjoy an experience they’ll remember rather than a toy that they will shortly outgrow. Bonus points if you’re the chaperone and can give their parent(s) a break! Avoid places like zoos and aquariums, as they exploit animals and deprive them of the space and socialization they need.
Barb Musick’s collection of 50 plant-based recipes is a must-have for the tiny chef in your life. It not only guides readers through recipes, but also teaches about safe chopping methods and how to measure properly.
For the foodie:
Sweet Maresa’s—a vegan bakery in Kingston, New York— offers exquisite baked goods, including brownies, cookies, macarons, and cakes. The bakery ships products anywhere in the United States. Holiday pre-orders are available now including a 25-piece macaron box, sugar cookie tin, and Italian cookie tin.
Vegan cookbooks by FoA President Priscilla Feral
With innovative recipes as enjoyable to prepare as they are to eat, these collections of vegan recipes support Friends of Animals’ work to end animal exploitation and suffering. The books feature easy, everyday recipes as well as holiday specialties and gluten-free desserts…and they’re 25% off right now!
For the giver:
Donation to Friends of Animals
For the person who prefers not to receive physical gifts, a donation in their name to a nonprofit may be just the gift they need! A donation of just $25 gains the recipient access to a subscription to our quarterly magazine, Action Line. Every dollar donated to Friends of Animals goes towards our legislative, legal, and advocacy work.
Sponsor a chimpanzee or other animal at Primarily Primates sanctuary
Primarily Primates is home to over 300 animals, including 31 chimpanzees. It costs roughly $42,000 per year to provide comprehensive care to one chimpanzee, just one of the many species of PPI residents. Consider sponsoring a resident of your choice with a monthly gift in someone’s honor! They can know they play a role in sustaining the care and wellbeing of an animal in need.
For the Friends of Animals fans:
Limited edition “Feral” sweatshirt
When Priscilla Feral, president of Friends of Animals, asked about the job description for FoA’s public information director position 50 years ago, the organization’s first president said she needed to be able to “stir up a hornet’s nest!” “Looking over my shoulder, I’m nourished by Friends of Animals, an organization built upon taking risks daring to be more than a run-of-the-mill animal charity,” said Feral, who took over as president in 1987.
We are celebrating Priscilla’s milestone and FoA’s untamed style as a pressure group with our new “Feral” unisex sweatshirt. Help us celebrate by purchasing one! They’re available in sage and grey.
Whatever you choose, we encourage you to do so with compassion in mind. Happy shopping and enjoy your holiday season!