Shift toward cruelty-free and environmentally conscious choices this Christmas – in what you eat, buy, cook and give – with assistance from our guide Emma Way.

Firstly, let’s talk about replacing the centrepiece of the Christmas table with a plant-based option – because even these flavours and textures have the same capability to cater to even the most diverse range of palates – and reduce the ecological footprint that comes with increased consumerism.

Tofu has been used as a substitute option for turkey for some years now, often given the portmanteau tofurkey. Thanks to tofu’s high protein count and meat-like texture, it makes a cost-friendly alternative and it’s also less impactful on the environment.

If you’ve got a spare roll of vegan puff pastry lying around, a vegan Christmas roast wellington could work perfectly for you. The centrepiece is made by you in this case, so pick your chosen combination of vegetables, spices, nuts and seeds wisely: mushroom wellington and beet wellington, for example.

Plenty of supermarkets have developed convenience-style Christmas meals for vegans, so if you’re not one for cooking there’ll be plant-based options available from the big retailers.

Indulge in all the desserts and sweet treats you can handle without compromising on principles. Vegan pies, cakes, and cookies can be just as delicious and easy to prepare as their non-vegan counterparts. Using ingredients like plant-based milk, flax seeds, or apple sauce as egg substitutes ensures a cruelty-free dessert spread.

Extend the same vegan philosophy you had at the dinner table: embrace ethical gift-giving and choose locally produced products. Choose presents that are cruelty-free, sustainable, and environmentally conscious – such as plant-based skincare, locally sourced accessories, or experiences you can share in person with loved ones.

Add a personal touch and make your own: cookies, jams, hampers, sloe gin and hot chocolate jars are just a few examples of gifts you can create at home which don’t cost the earth. Plus, you know what ingredients are going in them.

words EMMA WAY