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Tis the Season to ACT: A Holiday Survival Guide

You know the routine all too well. You’re at your family’s holiday celebration, undoubtedly sitting next to the weird cousin, trying hard to drown out your little nephew’s screaming, wondering how you got stuck, once again, at the kid’s table even though you’re 30. Then things take a turn for the worst when the moment you have been dreading is here at last: someone puts a dead animal on the table and calls it “food.” Your closest friends and family are about to contribute to what you so passionately work to fight against: animal cruelty. If they only knew…

So what do you do? Do you cue up the DVD player to horrific footage of factory farming and press “play” just as everyone grabs their forks? Do you start sobbing, right in front of everyone? Do you pass around Say No to Gestation Crate brochures? Do you say nothing? Do you say everything?

This holiday season, be a role model. Remember that compassion begins with you. Though there is no one right way to effectively advocate on behalf of farm animals, communicating in a kind, empathetic and understanding way is key to inspiring change in others. The likelihood is that there was a time when you didn’t know either, when you ate animals, and when you didn’t know about the egregious cruelty inherent in factory farming. Someone or something inspired you, and now you have the opportunity to inspire others.

Here are some tips for how to get through the holidays in one piece, spreading compassion while you’re at it!

• If your holiday celebration is going to include animal products, why not WOW your friends and family by bringing a delicious vegan meal and dessert to share? Some people say that the best way to advocate veganism is through yummy food!
• Consider hosting a vegan potluck for your friends and family as a holiday celebration.
• Bring vegan baked goods to your office or class to help celebrate the holidays compassionately. Remember to bring some copies of the recipes to share.
• Rather than buying material gifts, why not sponsor a farm animal from Farm Sanctuary for your loved ones? Why not also ask for that in return this year?
• If material gifts are a must for someone’s wish list, shop at Farm Sanctuary’s online store for fabulous reads, adorable stuffed animals, hip hoodies, and other apparel. Put it all together to make a compassionate gift basket!
• With the holidays approaching, many ACTivists find refuge in volunteering as a means of channeling holiday angst. Why not schedule a leafleting at your nearby mall or church?
• Set up a table at your local health food store, community center or library to educate people about going veg for life.
• Be sure to check in with your ACTivist friends, and plan a veg-friendly get-together or outing where you can all gripe and laugh together.
• Blog about it! Blogging is a great way to put all your thoughts out there in a safe and supportive way; not to mention it can be a very effective advocacy tool!
• Spend time with an animal. Being around animals can be a very peaceful and joyous experience for both of you, and can remind you of why you are an ACTivist.

Have more holiday survival tips? Send them to activist@farmsanctuary.org, and watch for Holiday Survival Guide, part II.