Easter as a Vegan

Sure, you are incredulous how to make a holiday dominated by eggs, lamb, and ham vegan, but for most celebrations you can make it work.

For the Kids

Kids love an egg hunt, and you are welcome to use this opportunity to mention that this is a game and we don't steal eggs from birds, or just keep in mind that it's just a shape, and not really an egg-substitute.

Plastic eggs are a part of most Easter celebrations with kids, so just fill them with vegan (or non-food) items.  

Food and Candy 

• Nuts
• Dried Fruit
• Enjoy Life Mega Chunks
• Dandies marshmallows
• Yum Earth Candy Drops
• Cereal
• Annie's Bunny Snacks
• So many more, check out this list for vegan friendly candies

Non-Foods

• Temporary Tattoos (I went out after St. Patricks Day and got shamrock tattoos)
• Stickers
• Legos (You can get a set and put one in each egg)
• Play Jewelry/make up (E.L.F. Cosmetics make up is inexpensive and vegan, so I get that to let my daughter play with rather than the kids sets).
• Coupons for special treats (late bedtime, family movie night, etc)

For the Meal

Many people associate the holidays with a specific meal, and usually those meals have a dead animal as the centerpiece.  If you are having a vegan meal- YAY!  If you are going somewhere else, bring a big potato or pasta salad that will be filling and some kind of desert.  You could bring my Deviled Potatoes for a great treat that everyone likes!

For the "Roast"

• Make a Tofurkey, Celebration Roast, or other vegan centerpiece.  These give that same "big holiday" centerpiece that is familiar and seems special.  
• It's getting to the end of the season, but there are still butternut squash available.  Get a big one and cut it in half before roasting with brown sugar and five spice (Or what you like) sprinkled over it.  It makes a pretty centerpiece and it's sweet like a glazed ham.
• Make your own.  **STRONG LANGUAGE**  Try a Tofuken with Tofu, tempeh, and seitan (seriously, don't click that link unless you can handle curse words).

For the Sweets

• Vegan Cadbury Creme Eggs recipe
• Carrot Cake (that's what the Easter Bunny would eat!  I love the cupcake recipe in Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World 
• These cute rice crispy treat eggs from the Dandies Blog.

I hope these ideas help you prepare for a fun and happy holiday with less stress!