I’m Vegan and Received a Non-Vegan Gift. What Should I Do?

One of my closest friends once made brownies with milk chocolate chips, and right before offering one to me, she said, “Wait, can you eat these?” I gently told her no, since milk chocolate chips aren’t vegan.

Afterward, I found myself mulling the moment over. What would I have done if she had made them especially for me? Would accepting one brownie—offered with nothing but love and good intentions—be the more compassionate choice?

That question has stayed with me. And if you’re vegan, you’ve probably wondered what to do with non-vegan gifts after receiving something you aren’t comfortable using. Maybe it was a wallet made from animal skin, a wool scarf, or a beeswax candle. Letting an item go unused doesn’t help animals. Plus, turning down a gift can hurt someone’s feelings and make being vegan seem like it’s about perfection rather than intention. Over time, I’ve found a way to handle these moments that feels kind to both our fellow animals and the gift givers.

Why I’m Vegan

I am vegan because I don’t want my fellow animals to suffer. The chocolate chips in those brownies were made with milk intended for baby cows. A mother cow’s bond with her calf is incredibly strong, yet in the dairy industry, calves are taken from their mothers shortly after birth. Workers use the mothers until their bodies can’t produce milk anymore, then send them to slaughter. All for a product that we can make without harming animals—vegan chocolate chips are rich, sweet, and oh so delicious!

Start With Gratitude

Someone chose that gift for you because they care. Receiving it with a smile doesn’t compromise your compassion—it acknowledges their thoughtfulness. You don’t need to correct them in the moment, but if it feels right, this could be a good opportunity to explain (gently) how that item harms animals.

Choose Your Next Step Thoughtfully

Later, you can make choices that feel right to you. Finding the gift a new home keeps the item out of the garbage without supporting the industry that produced it.

• Ask for a gift receipt and return it to get something vegan, letting the store clerk know why you’ve brought it back.
• If it is made from fur, donate it to PETA’s fur donation program. This program helps refugees and people without homes stay warm.

Gently Guide Future Gift Giving

In my case, gifting my friend a batch of homemade vegan brownies and including a package of my favorite vegan chocolate chips for her next baking adventure would be a great way to open the door to future conversations about how easy and delicious vegan baking is. Or try one of our favorite vegan holiday cookie recipes!

To prevent the same thing from happening again, you can suggest ideas before the next gift-giving season:

• “I’m living compassionately with animals in mind. Here are a few things I love.”
• Share a small wish list with inexpensive vegan items.
• Suggest a donation in your name to help a cold dog survive the winter, provide a dog chained outside with a sturdy doghouse, or another cause that touches your heart.

Always Lead by Example

Being vegan means living empathetically. While it’s important to consider friendships, family members, and others’ feelings, that doesn’t mean avoiding honest conversations about animals. Non-vegan gifts can offer moments of connection and quiet opportunities to honor what being vegan really means. Accept the gesture with care, and give yourself permission to handle these small, tricky moments with the same grace you extend to others.

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