How To Have A Vegan Easter

Easter: that time of year when things get a bit... lighter. Evenings aren't gloomy and dark anymore, and it's the perfect time for a spring celebration. For those of us who grew up with Easter traditions, transitioning to a vegan celebration might seem tricky at first: what about all that traditional food? The chocolate? The eggs (so many eggs)? But as times change and more people find their way to a more compassionate vegan way of living, traditions adapt. So is the case with Easter, which is easier to veganise than ever! Here are some tips to make this springtime celebration a feast of compassion.

By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert. 

Opt for vegan lamb

Eating lamb at Easter is tradition in many cultures – and thousands of lambs are transported around Europe every year in a hellish journey to the slaughterhouse. So many of us love the idea of adorable lambs frolicking in fields, yet we've still to make the connection between their suffering and our Easter plates. Try some of the many plant-based “rack of lamb” recipes for all the taste without any of the cruelty, perhaps convincing your family and loved ones to give it a try and have compassion for lambs.

Indulge in ALL the chocolate with vegan Easter eggs

Oh, the old days when being vegan meant that chocolate was largely off-limits. Definitely not so today, when you can get vegan Easter eggs in any flavour, from honeycomb to salted pretzel and even white chocolate. Make no mistake: no need to skip the chocolate, and if you're not a fan of the typical vegan dark chocolate, there is much more to choose from.

Help bunnies

As their sweet faces show up on every Easter-themed decoration, let's spare a thought for rabbits, who are killed for their flesh and fur all over the world. Aside from not eating or wearing them, we can lend a hand this Easter by donating to or volunteering at a sanctuary that protects them. Interacting with these curious animals will remind you of your “why” behind going vegan.

Egg decorating without the eggs

Painting and decorating eggs is part the Easter fun, and if you're vegan, there's no need to miss out. Choose eggs made from wood or ceramic – you can get them at your local craft store – and paint away, maybe while educating your loved ones on your choice. Let them know that hens bond with their babies and that chickens have a variety of communication methods including many different vocalisations, which mothers teach to their babies before they hatch. Animals are sentient individuals, and if we can choose not to harm them for a celebration, we should do so.

Easter egg hunt? Make it egg-free

Same goes for the traditional Easter egg hunt. No need to use actual eggs, when the aforementioned wooden or ceramic eggs are available – or even vegan chocolate eggs. Be creative and you will see that alternatives will appear. If you're in the mood for creating a new tradition, why not skip the Easter egg hunt entirely and go for a brand-new game, perhaps one that teaches children about compassion to animals?

Choose a vegan outfit

Spring calls for a new breath of fresh air in our wardrobes: bring in a hint of the new season with Baukjen's florals or indulge in crisp neutral shades from Mila.Vert. Remember to steer clear of wool, silk, and animal-derived knit fibres such as alpaca, cashmere, mohair and of course angora, which is made from the wool of rabbits. A compassionate celebration feels as good as it looks, and there's no better way to bring in the new season.

By Sascha Camilli

About Sascha

Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her or listen to her podcast Catwalk Rebel. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cover image by Sheelah Brennan, second photo by Rod Long, third photo by Anna Bratiychuk, all via Unsplash.

For more great content like this in your inbox, sign up to our newsletter, and save 10% off your next purchase, plus great savings throughout the year.