My stepson’s 19-yr old girlfriend is a vegan. I do a small Easter basket for my stepson every year (I figure you’re never too old for a chocolate bunny), and I’d like to do one for his GF this year. Any suggestions for what I can put in it? My stepson isn’t much help. I know I can’t put anything chocolate in, but what about jelly beans? Would it be too weird to put in non-Eastery things, like seeds for an herb garden, etc.?
You will make someone a wonder mother-in-law some day! Maybe you could get some sort of gift certificate from a place that caters to “those people”. Also, my parents ALWAYS put fresh fruit in our basket. Maybe bottled smoothie drinks?
Instead of jelly beans, how about lima beans? Just kidding.
Is there a natural foods store like a Whole Foods around where you live? I bet if you went in there and asked for help, they’d help you pick out some vegan goodies. And I think herb seeds or any little treat would be lovely.
You’re very thoughtful!
You can probably find a carob bunny somewhere…
I forgot to say–I think there is vegan chocolate available. I’ve had some, and it’s yummy.
Vegan carob bunnies? That’s wrong on all sorts of levels.
Eggplants? 
Check the ingredients list on those jellybeans; they are often made with confectioners’ glaze, which is derived from insects. Wrapped hard candies would be nice and colorful.
Geez, Biffy, I had no idea. Is there a book or something I can get to find out what’s OK and what isn’t? This young lady is spending more and more time at our house- which is fine, I like her- and I’d like to make sure we have stuff she can eat around when she’s here. My stepson’s only limitation on what he will eat is anything that won’t bite him first, so he really is no help.
Thanks for the great suggestions- keep 'em coming!Isn’t dark chocolate made without milk products? I recently went on a tour of a local Chocolate Factory (it was very cool!) and I thought I remembered the tour guide saying dark chocolate contained only: cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter.
And just out of curiosity’s sake, what’s in a Peep, anyway?
I’ll also suggest fresh fruit and flowers. Maybe some spring colored candles with pretty ribbon or other such non food festive items.
Boys never are any help with these things… 
Good luck and what a great mom you are!
Go to a health food store; they cater to people with all kinds of dietary restrictions, both philosphical and biological. I’m sure they could provide something that is milk- and egg-free.
People often do give things like flower seeds and the like for Easter to those who need to abstain from candy, etc. for health reasons, such as diabetics.
The Peeps might have gelatin, which might be animal-derived.
I’ll second the vegan-chocolate suggestion. A friend in college regularly got bags of vegan chocolate chips from her mom.
At work, we sell bunny stickers and stuffed rabbits. What about something little like that?
I think herb seeds or seedlings would be lovely. After all, Easter signals the onset of Spring, and it’s the time of year when folks are thinking about gardens.
Milk chocolate (which is only suitable for children, in any case) has milk but dark chocolate and bittersweet chocolate are almost always 100% plant products.
Of course, the requisite Paschal card wishing our Lord and Savior’s blessing and salvation would also be animal-product-free, being paper.
A bacon double-cheeseburger with a side of ham.
d&r…
ummm Peeps are made of Marshmallow which has gelatin in it and gelatin comes from cows. No good if she’s Vegan.
Your stepson’s GF is at my favorite age to shop for! I’ll just second everyone else’s suggestions for basket goodies - vegan chocolate and fresh fruit - and then add the suggestions of cruelty-free bath products (glycerin soaps, for example, which you can get in very pretty spring colors and fragrances, nicely packaged in recycled paper, even!) and pretty cotton socks. I say socks because without exception, every vegan woman I know* wears Birkenstocks and loves to have pretty socks to go with.
(*All two of them.)
My ex-wife (not a vegan, though a former vegetarian) always asked for a big chunk of marzipan for Easter. You can get marzipan in a number of festive shapes, or you can shape it yourself…it’s just almond paste and sugar, after all. Check the package to make sure it’s 100% vegan–some varieties contain egg white.
While I was looking for vegan marzipan, I found this Vegan Easter site which may be of interest to you.
Does she wear things in her hair? Like barrettes, or those big thingies that are like giant barrettes to wear on the nape of your neck? Find a celtic store in your area, they have all kinds of cool jewelry in sterling silver that’s not very expensive. As well as cool hair thingies (sorry, I’m the mother of boys) and temporary tattoos. OPI nail polish, if she wears nail polish. We do great pascha (easter) baskets at our house and they hardly ever have very much to eat in them.
Does she wear things in her hair? Like barrettes, or those big thingies that are like giant barrettes to wear on the nape of your neck? Find a celtic store in your area, they have all kinds of cool jewelry in sterling silver that’s not very expensive. As well as cool hair thingies (sorry, I’m the mother of boys) and temporary tattoos. OPI nail polish, if she wears nail polish. We do great pascha (easter) baskets at our house and they hardly ever have very much to eat in them.
I’m not trying to flame, but why bother posting if you don’t have something constructive to add to the thread? That’s just rude and not really funny, IMHO.
I think making a basket for her is really nice- you could definately make a nice basket with fruit and such, and maybe a small gift card for a store she likes, some hair decorations or jewelry, or maybe movie tickets. Something different!