Surviving and Thriving During the Holiday Season as a Vegan in the Middle East
The holiday season across the Middle East is a time of warmth, family gatherings, and feast. It is also a season of social rituals: relatives surprising children with pets as gifts, families planning outings to zoos or animal shows, and communities gathering around traditions that often involve animals. For vegans, these moments can bring challenges: tables filled with traditional animal-based dishes, social expectations, and the occasional raised eyebrow. Yet this season doesn’t have to be about “survival.” With creativity, confidence, and compassion, it can become a time of joy, connection, and even advocacy.
1. Reframe the Season: From Survival to Celebration
Holidays are about connection, not conformity.
Focus conversations on shared values such as family, generosity, hospitality, and goodwill, while gently highlighting that respect and compassion extend to animals too.
Instead of framing it as “avoiding differences,” present veganism as expanding the circle of kindness. For example: “I celebrate by choosing compassion, it’s my way of honoring the season.”
This way, veganism is positioned as a natural expression of holiday goodwill, not as compromise.
2. Bring Your Own Dish
Offering to contribute a vegan dish ensures you have something hearty to enjoy and introduces others to plant-based flavors.
Think of dishes that are festive, colorful, and familiar enough to spark curiosity, such as stuffed vine leaves with lentils and herbs, roasted root vegetables with tahini drizzle, or classics like mujaddara, tabbouleh, bamia, and lubiyeh bi zeit.
You can also recreate traditional main dishes using plant-based alternatives like soy meat, mushrooms, or legumes, and enrich creamy recipes with plant-based milk or yogurt to preserve beloved flavors while keeping them compassionate.
Naturally vegan desserts such as Meghli, Maakaron, Qamhiyeh, Maamoul, or Zlabia also make wonderful additions.
Presentation matters. Serve your dish beautifully, and it becomes a centerpiece rather than a side option.
3. Prepare Gentle Responses
Expect questions like “But just for the holidays, can’t you…?”
Respond with kindness and clarity: “For me, the holidays are about extending goodwill to everyone—including animals.”
Keep it light, respectful, and non-confrontational. Humor can help too: “Trust me, lentils are festive if you cook them right!”
Remember that every gentle response plants a seed of curiosity.
4. Volunteer or Donate to Sanctuaries
Holidays are a time of generosity, and one powerful way to embody compassion
Consider volunteering your time at a local shelter or sanctuary, helping with care, feeding, or simply offering companionship to rescued animals.
If time is limited, donations, whether financial or in-kind (like blankets, food, or supplies), can make a meaningful difference.
Share this idea with family and friends as an alternative to gifting pets or visiting zoos. It reframes holiday goodwill into direct support for animals’ wellbeing.
These acts of kindness extend the holiday spirit beyond the table and into the lives of beings who need it most.
5. Navigating Animal-Related Traditions
Pets as gifts: Remind loved ones that animals are not presents but lifelong companions who need care and commitment. Suggest alternatives such as sponsoring an animal shelter or gifting plant-based cookbooks.
Zoo visits: Gently highlight that animals in captivity often face stress and limited freedom. Offer alternatives like nature hikes, botanical gardens, or sanctuaries where compassion is central.
Family discussions: Approach these topics with empathy. Instead of criticism, frame your perspective around shared values of kindness and responsibility.
6. Build Community
Connect with fellow vegans online or through local groups.
Share recipes, encouragement, and even organize a vegan holiday potluck.
Collective support makes the season brighter and less isolating.
Consider hosting a “compassionate feast” where vegan dishes take center stage. This reframes the narrative from survival to celebration.
7. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead reduces stress and ensures you always have options.
Stock up on vegan staples before the holidays: legumes, nuts, plant-based milks, and festive spices.
6. Practice Self-Compassion
If the table feels overwhelming, step outside for a breath or connect with a supportive friend.
Remind yourself that your choices are rooted in ethics and care.
Celebrate small victories, whether it’s inspiring one relative, enjoying your dish, or simply staying true to your values.
Don’t pressure yourself to be the “perfect advocate.” Sometimes just being present is enough.
Closing Thought
Surviving the holiday season as a vegan in the Middle East is not about endurance. It’s about radiating compassion in a season already rich with generosity. By bringing your own dishes, adapting traditions, preparing gentle responses, and building community, you transform survival into celebration. And who knows? Your plate, your words, or your choices might inspire someone else to choose respect and compassion too.