A Very Harry Christmas: The Protego Foundation's Vegan Wizarding World Holiday Shopping Guide

With December upon us, the holidays at Hogwarts are in full, splendid form. The enormous fir trees are being decked with shimmering icicles, hooting gold owl ornaments, and twinkling candles. Holly berries, fragrant pine boughs, and sparkly tinsel are beginning to fill each house common room. It’s the advent of the winter season, and the place to be is cozying up in the squashiest armchairs by the crackling fire to watch snow dreamily flurry around the castle grounds, preferably while sipping some rich, velvety hot cocoa with vegan marshmallows or a tankard of warm and creamy vegan butterbeer. 

But for those of us who aren’t at Hogwarts this year, the magic of the holiday season is still very much alive around us. Although this yuletide is rather unusual, what with the lingering pandemic, that’s all the more reason to make these festivities exceptionally extraordinary. ​

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In celebration of the magic of the Harry Potter universe, we’ve summoned up some of the most charming fan-made wizarding world gifts to surprise your friends and loved ones with this holiday season. These 20 enchanting items feature some of our favorite Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts characters and creatures, and are entirely independently made. 

You’re going to want to accio your muggle money because these vegan-friendly, fan-made, indie-artisan gifts are truly exceptional! ​​

1. Troll in the Dungeon Candle from Floating Starlights on Etsy
Unlike the stinky, full grown Mountain Troll Hermione, Ron, and Hermione face off against in Philosopher’s Stone, this candle is a sensory delight. This eco-friendly and bee free soy wax candle features the comforting fragrances of ginger, graham crackers, raisins, and warm winter spices. You might just want to treat yourself to this before we start our book club! 

2. Magical Madness: A Harry Potter A to Z from Snaggleshop on Etsy
Bundle this with some colored pencils, markers, or crayons for an epic Potterish gift experience! Drawn and written by a devoted Potterhead, this mini book combines the dark whimsy of Edward Gorey with the fantastical world of Harry Potter. With pages like “C is for Crookshanks chewing spiders up”, and “M is for Malfoy, and that time Granger slapped him” this is an utter delight. 

3. Chocolate Frog Soap Cupcake by Lovegood Bath Potions on Etsy
Self care and the wizarding world collide in this epic chocolate frog cupcake soap from Lovegood Bath Potions. With the decadent aroma of chocolate cake and caramel, this soapy delight will have you (or your Potterhead friends) coming back from the prefects’ bathroom smelling like you’ve taken a trip to Honeydukes!

4. Weasley Family Crew from Lumos and Luster
The whole red-haired Weasley clan is here on this maroon crew pullover from Lumos and Luster. The quirky ‘toon portraits of Ron, his parents, and his siblings give us all the warm and fuzzy Weasley family feelings that are so ubiquitous with every Potter holiday! 

5. Wizard Train Mug by Cara Kozik on Etsy 
All aboard for a magical tea (or cocoa) break! This adorable mug from the talented Cara Kozik is such a celebration of Harry’s annual returns to Hogwarts that we knew we HAD to include it. See if you can spy the wee Hedwig and Crookshanks in the pastel colored, whimsical chaos in this little ceramic vision of Platform 9 and 3/4! 

6. St. Mungo’s Certified Healer Enamel Pin from Swish and Flick
Now more than ever, many of us are grateful for all of the essential workers who continually put their lives on the line to keep us, our communities, and our loved ones safe. This super detailed enamel pin from Swish and Flick is a great way to show your allegiance to the wizarding world’s top hospital, St. Mungo’s! Whether you’re a muggle doctor, a wizarding world healer, or just a Potterhead who really appreciates all the hard work the medical professionals are doing during these trying times, this is a wonderful pin for sharing that love! 

7. Loyalty Pin from Literary Emporium on Etsy
Many folks often underestimate Helga Hufflepuff’s choice for a mascot, the European Badger, because of their small size and unassuming features. Not us! Here at Protego, we know just how badass our badger friends are. Our fiercely loyal, hardworking, and just Hufflepuff friends are honored on this gorgeous enamel pin from Literary Emporium. (We reckon this would pair well with our own enamel Hufflepuff pin with proceeds that go to our “Protect the Puffs” campaign!)

8. Slytherin Inspired Necklace from My Vintage Vanity on Etsy
We didn’t forget about our Slytherin friends! This serpent and emerald necklace is professionally plated and is so breathtakingly elegant and timeless that we wouldn’t blame you for buying this even if you’re not a Slytherin! We could definitely imagine this little gem hanging in Narcissa Malfoy's jewelry box. ​​

9. Barn Owl Cards from Lita Judge Shop on Etsy
There’s something so magical about getting a surprise letter in the muggle post. Especially when said letter is written inside one of these gorgeously painted barn owl cards. We have a special place for Barn Owls in our heart--especially dear Ness—and these cards are a great way to show your own affection for owls (and keeping them wild)! 

10. S.P.E.W. Pom Beanie from Twee Stitch on Etsy 
The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare was Hermione Granger’s first foray into activism and magical creature rights. Although S.P.E.W. (or alternatively, “Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status") was treated as a joke in the books, the campaign has a special place in our heart (as discussed in ProtegoCast episode 1)! This embroidered pom pom beanie is a cute statement piece and makes a great talking point for the treatment of animals and creatures both in and outside of the fandom.

11. Mandrake Knit Plush from Ethander Isle on Etsy 
This highly detailed knit mandrake plush makes a fabulous gift for the budding herbologist in your life. While mailing out physical plants to your green thumbed friends is a bit of a gamble, you can’t go wrong with a plush version of one of the wizarding world’s most iconic sentient roots! ​​

12. Newt Scamander Sticker set from Milvilla on Etsy
This super cute Newt Scamander sticker set features the Hufflepuff alum and famed magizoologist in all his creature-loving ‘puff glory! A little badger, Helga Hufflepuff’s golden goblet, and a cheery sunflower are all included in this sticker pack. 

13. Wizarding School Magnets from Lydia Jean Art on Etsy
Rock some Hogwarts house unity with this set of wizarding school magnets. The quirky and colorful illustrations of the Hufflepuff badger, Gryffindor lion, Ravenclaw eagle, and Slytherin serpent look like they could’ve been snatched right out of one of Luna Lovegood’s sketchbooks!

14. Butterbeer Cork Necklace Ornament from Very Harry Miniatures on Etsy
One of Luna Lovegood’s signature accessories is her butterbeer cork necklace. Crafted by hand, this one of a kind ornament is just as unique as Luna herself! It certainly makes a nice change from all the snowmen and santa ornaments! 


We hope this list helped you find some magical goodies for the magic-loving muggle in your life. We wish you all the warmest and happiest of holidays! 

Written by Victoria Tomis
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