For many people, choosing a gift for an ethical vegan can seem daunting - no wool sweaters, leather wallets or perfume from a company that tests on animals. This gift guide includes cruelty-free gifts for your favorite vegans and animal rights activists. You might even find something you want for yourself, whether you're vegan or not.

1. Sweet & Sara Smores, $3.95
   While most chocolates contain dairy and almost all marshmallows contain gelatin from animal bones, these smores are completely vegan and delicious. Give out these individually wrapped smores as party favors, or pile them high in a basket for one spectacular and decadent gift.
2. Sterling Silver "Vegan" Star Earrings from Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe, $17
   This product supports not just a vegan store, but also a vegan artist.
3. Tinymeat Wallet from Herbivore Clothing, $14.00
   Despite the name, these bifold wallets are vegan and feature animal rights messages ranging from "Cowhugger" to "Praise Seitan."
4. Troubador Tote Bag from Moo Shoes, $180
   With its slouchy shape and on-trend gathers, this stylish microfiber tote should satisfy the most discerning vegan fashionista.
5. Fleece Ear Bands from Vegan Essentials, $9.95
   Warm and cozy, they look like any other fleece accessory, but are made from recycled plastic bottles.
6. Veganomicon Vegan Cookbook, $13.16-$27.50
   I don't personally own this book, but I've tasted several dishes made from these recipes, and they were fantastic!
7. Ten-Piece Precision Brush Set from Arbonne, $35.00
   Some makeup brushes are made of animal hair, but these are vegan. You might be able to find synthetic brushes at the mall, but the company that makes them may test their other products on animals. Arbonne is completely vegan and cruelty-free. I have no connection with the Arbonne company itself, but the independent consultant in the link above is a friend of mine.
8. Charitable Donation through JustGive.org
   JustGive.org allows you to make a donation as a gift, but the recipient chooses which charity receives the donation. This is also a great last-minute gift, because it can be emailed. Thousands of animal charities include large, national animal rights groups as well as local shelters and rescue groups. Tip: The "animal" category includes just a few dozen national groups, including some environmental groups that are not animal rights groups. Instead of looking in the "animal" category, search for the word "animal" or a specific group's name.
9. Ecoist Recycled Shoulder Bag from Pangea, $49
   They had a bunch of these gorgeous bags at the Pangea booth at the Animal Rights National Conference, and people could not keep their hands off of them. Although they are made of recycled packaging, they feel very sturdy and look very cool.
10. MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed, $10.70 - $13.59
    Patrick McDonnell, creator of the Mutts comic strip, has assembled over a hundred of his "Shelter Stories" strips in one book, along with reader-submitted stories and photos of rescued animals. Get ready to laugh and cry.

- Doris Lin

Back to JustGive in the Media