As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it brings various joyful gatherings with loved ones. However if you're vegan you know that this time of year can be full of challenges to navigate while attending these celebrations. Picture yourself immersed in a holiday celebration surrounded by delectable, comforting, and decadent vegan dishes and beverages, all while being in the company of your closest family and friends. This dream can be made a reality if you host your own vegan celebration! We know that hosting can be a big undertaking, especially during the holidays. That’s why we’ve compiled the Afro-Vegan Society guide to hosting holiday celebrations. Our tips will help you to plan your own unique celebration that's affordable, welcoming, delicious and sustainable!
So let’s get started!
Stocking Up on Holiday Pantry Essentials on a Budget
Holiday cooking can be a bit daunting, especially when you’re on a budget. But stocking your pantry with the right essentials can help you create delicious, plant-based holiday meals without breaking the bank. Here’s how to get your pantry holiday-ready while keeping costs down:
Buy in Bulk
Bulk items like beans, lentils, grains, and nuts are holiday must-haves that can be used for a variety of dishes. Look for bulk bins at local grocery stores or food co-ops where you can buy just what you need, often at a lower price per pound. Staples like dried beans, brown rice, quinoa, oats, and whole wheat flour can stretch your dollar and provide the base for many holiday recipes.
Go for Canned and Frozen Foods
While fresh produce is wonderful, canned and frozen options can be just as nutritious and more budget-friendly. Stock up on canned beans, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and pumpkin puree. Frozen fruits and vegetables like collard greens, corn, and berries are perfect for making holiday sides and desserts without compromising on flavor.
Get Your Seasonings Right
Spices and seasonings are key to nailing those classic holiday flavors. Essentials like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage) should be in your pantry. If you're looking for a taste of tradition, consider blending your own seasoning mix inspired by family recipes, or grab a jar of Creole seasoning for an extra kick. You don’t need to buy new spices for every recipe; use what you have and build from there.
Shop Discount Stores and Ethnic Markets
Discount stores, dollar stores, and ethnic markets often carry pantry essentials at lower prices. These are great places to find affordable spices, coconut milk, canned goods, or specialty ingredients that might be pricier elsewhere. Don’t be afraid to explore your local African or Caribbean grocery stores for deals on items like coconut oil or unique spices.
Make a Pantry Staples Checklist
Before you head to the store, create a checklist of items you'll need for the holiday season. Focus on versatile ingredients you can use across multiple recipes, like nut butters for desserts or chickpeas for stews. Sticking to your list helps avoid impulse purchases and keeps your budget in check.
Veganizing Family Recipes
Veganizing family recipes is all about keeping the heart and soul of the dish while swapping in plant-based alternatives. Here’s how you can transform those cherished holiday favorites into vegan-friendly dishes that everyone will enjoy:
Replace Meat with Plant-Based Alternatives
For dishes like collard greens, gumbo, or black-eyed peas, where smoked meats traditionally add flavor, use smoked tempeh, tofu, or vegan sausage instead. Liquid smoke, turbinado sugar, smoked paprika, or a splash of apple cider vinegar can also replicate that smoky, savory essence. If making a classic pot roast or stew, consider using mushrooms, jackfruit, or seitan for a meaty texture.
Dairy Swaps Made Simple
If a recipe calls for butter, opt for vegan butter or even olive oil for a healthier twist. For creamy dishes like mac and cheese, cashew cream, coconut milk, or store-bought vegan cheese can do the trick. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without the dairy, making it a great addition to cheesy casseroles and gratins.
Baking Without Eggs
Whether you're making cornbread, cakes, or cookies, there are plenty of ways to replace eggs in baking. Use flaxseed meal mixed with water (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg) or unsweetened applesauce for moisture. Silken tofu works well in dense cakes, while mashed bananas are great for sweet treats like banana bread.
Sweeten Naturally
Many family recipes call for refined sugars or honey, but you can easily swap these for agave syrup, maple syrup, or even dates for natural sweetness. These alternatives work perfectly in desserts like sweet potato pie, where you want a rich, caramel-like flavor.
Don’t Forget the Flavor
Remember, the key to successful vegan versions of classic recipes is in the seasoning. Don’t skimp on fresh herbs, aromatics, or spices. A generous helping of garlic, onions, fresh thyme, or a dash of hot sauce can bring plant-based dishes to life and make them just as flavorful as the original.
Vegan Recipes to Make Your Menu Shine
Creating the perfect menu is a big part of hosting a successful celebration. Putting together a vegan holiday event is a great way to introduce your guests to new dishes that they may have never experienced before. This can put a lot of pressure on a host wanting to impress. But have no fear, Afro-Vegan Society has an extensive catalog of recipes that are sure to please a crowd.
Satisfying Sides
Delicious dishes like Dam Good Vegan Mac & Cheese, Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Maple & Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots come together to a make a perfectly balanced and well rounded holiday plate.
Magnificent Main Dishes
Our Hearty Vegetable Lasagna, Vegan Meatloaf, and Country Fried Cauliflower Steak are main dishes that are sure to have your guests giving their complements to the chef!
Dreamy Desserts
During the holidays people make a special effort to save room for dessert. These recipes will close out your meal on a high note: Chocolate Coconut Cake, Sweet Potato Pie, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
If you’re looking for even more recipes, download your free copy of our Vegan Holiday Recipe eBook!
Setting the Vibe for Your Celebration
Engaging the senses of scent and sound are creative ways to take your holiday celebrations to the next level. Music has the power to shift the energy in any room, so crafting the perfect playlist is an excellent way to create an environment that is festive, friendly and fun. A captivating aroma also has the power to elevate any experience. So check out these tips to cultivate an ambiance that’s sure to create lasting memories at your festivities.
Season’s “Scent”-ings!
Creating the perfect holiday scents for the home are as easy as a quick trip to the kitchen! Try these simple simmer pot recipes to create the perfect seasonal scents for your home.
What is a Simmer Pot?
Simmer pots are simply homemade water-based creations that can include any combination of herbs, spices, and fruits and are designed to fill your home with amazing wholesome scents as the pot begins to boil and blend the essences of what’s in it. They’re a great alternative to candles 1- because they fill a larger space as their scent molecules than a candle can (a term described as “throw”) and 2- unlike candles, you don’t have to worry about the release of fumes from the toxic candle wax and harmful synthetic fragrances that some candles contain.
What goes into a Simmer Pot?
Whatever you like! The real question is- how do you want your home to smell? What scents make you feel cozy, comforted, and at peace? Start there. Do you like fruity or earthy? Do you want a holiday tone or everyday vibe? The choice is yours! Here’s a few suggestions to get your creative side flowing:
Holiday Vibes:
Use peels of citrus fruits like oranges or lemons; winter fruits like cranberries; spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves; even herb filled tea bags like peppermint.
Earthy Vibes:
Use deep savory spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, vanilla pods (or extract); herbs like rosemary or sage
Calming Vibes:
Use mood lifting herb florals like lavender; savory flavors like vanilla extract; a drop or two of a soothing essential oil like eucalyptus or frankincense; herbed tea bags like chamomile.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. No one knows what scents bring you joy like you do! Have fun creating the vibe you want for your home!
“In My Mind….”
What’s a holiday season without the tunes that make us smile and sing the songs like we wrote it? We’ve curated a playlist of some of our favorite holiday tunes that are sure to get the holiday party going, even if it’s a party of one. Feel free to play it in the background as you cook, clean, or chuckle around the table with your loved ones.
Gathering Greener for Vegan Holiday Celebrations
While we’re building better relationships, sharing joy with our people, it’s a good time to show love to the earth while having beautiful moments together. Here are some simple ideas for hosting a more sustainable and communal dinner party.
Style With Purpose
Go for reusable decorations, like beautiful cloth napkins or glass candle holders, that can keep showing up at future gatherings. You can even use clothes you’re not wearing anymore to make cloth pennant garlands or show off your sewing skills by using cloth to recreate iconic images and designs.
Pull that stuff out! If you’ve been waiting for that “special occasion” to bring out the good dishes and tableware – friend, this is that occasion.
Hit up used goods locations for tableware and décor too. You can often find high quality crystalware, linens, and even silver at the local thrift store, estate or rummage sale.
Bring in nature for extra beauty. Fresh flowers, autumn leaves, or some branches you find on a walk or in the back yard can add that simple, earthy vibe to your table. Bonus Tip: Inspect your branches and leaves for insects or other friends before bringing them inside. Tap the piece you find gently to make sure everyone’s out safely. Don’t take too much, leave some for your neighborhood wildlife.
Set up a Serve-Yourself or DIY Drinks station. Everyone doesn’t need their own plastic bottle of water or can of soda. Make pitchers of homemade drinks like flavored water, teas (cold or hot), or mixed juices. Or, buy larger options and decant into lovely carafes. You can use thrifted or repurposed glass jars as drinking glasses, which not only reduces waste but also adds a cute, down home feel to the table. For a little extra sauce, encourage guests to bring their favorite reusable straw or drinking jar, along with a beverage to share.
The More We Are Together
Speaking of collaborating with guests, don’t our parties often end up as a team effort anyway? Try asking everyone to bring a piece or two for the dinner table – a vase, a dish, a funky tablecloth, or even something beautiful they found in nature. This way, the table is full of stories, and no one has to buy anything new. When we make these choices together, the night feels more connected and meaningful, and we’re reducing waste with style.
Have an exchange table. Create a space where folks can bring items they’d like to swap or give away. It can also help when many of the guests don’t know each other or offer a spirit of giving during times like Kwanzaa. Things like books, plants, unused beauty products, gently used clothes, or handmade items are great! This adds a community-focused vibe and keeps the sustainability theme going by encouraging reuse. When we make these choices together, the night feels more connected and meaningful, and we’re reducing waste with style.
Keep It Clean, Keep it Cute
When it’s time to clean up, set up a compost and recycling area so people know where to put their scraps and recyclables. Food scraps can go back to the earth, and recycling keeps what’s left from adding to already too numerous landfills. It’s a party, so you can make this area interesting too by making funny signs or using atypical containers. Again, with community in mind, you can ask a friend to help with the transportation of the compost or recycling if there aren’t curbside or building-wide options in your area.
It’s Hosting Time!
So there you have it! Afro-Vegan Society has thoughtfully curated a comprehensive guide to help you host an unforgettable, eco-conscious holiday celebration. By stocking your pantry smartly, veganizing beloved family recipes, and curating a menu of delectable plant-based dishes, you can create a festive spread that will delight vegan and non-vegan guests alike. And don't forget to set the perfect mood with simmering scents and a festive playlist. With a focus on sustainability, community, and the flavorful traditions of the African diaspora, your holiday celebration is sure to be a joyful, nourishing experience for all. So gather your loved ones, lean into the guidelines laid out here, and get ready to host an event that will have your guests raving long after the last crumb is savored.
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