Family Upset Over Christmas Tofu Feast: AITA for Going Vegan?

AITA for serving a tofu-based vegan Christmas feast to my meat-loving family, sparking tension and differing opinions on traditions and dietary choices during the holiday season?

Maryjane

Published in Interesting
11 Dec 2025

Family Upset Over Christmas Tofu Feast: AITA for Going Vegan?

In a heartwarming yet contentious Reddit thread, a young woman (28F) shares her experience of serving a vegan Christmas feast to her traditional, meat-loving family. As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves navigating the delicate balance between personal values and family traditions.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

In this case, the OP made a significant lifestyle change to embrace veganism for health and ethical reasons, which led to a Christmas dinner that deviated from the norm. After hours of preparation, she presented a tofu-based spread accompanied by roasted vegetables, vegan gravy, and a dairy-free cheesecake, all crafted with care and enthusiasm.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

However, the reception was far from what she had hoped for. Her family's shock and disappointment, particularly from her father, set the stage for a tense dinner, where passive-aggressive comments about "real food" surfaced and dampened the holiday spirit.

The OP later confronted a mix of feelings as her mother expressed respect for her choices but also emphasized the importance of maintaining cherished traditions during such a significant occasion. This dilemma raises an interesting discussion: how do we honor our personal beliefs while also respecting the customs that bring families together?

What do you think—was she in the right for her bold culinary choice, or did she overlook the significance of family traditions? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!

Original Post

I (28F) come from a family that loves their meat-heavy Christmas dinners. Every year, the table is laden with turkey, ham, and all the traditional trimmings.

However, this year, I decided to go vegan for personal health and ethical reasons. For Christmas dinner, I spent hours preparing a fantastic tofu-based feast with all the trimmings - roasted veggies, vegan gravy, and even a dairy-free cheesecake for dessert.

I was proud of the effort I put in to cater to my new lifestyle while still creating a delicious meal. Upon revealing the menu to my family, they were shocked and disappointed.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

My dad, especially, was visibly upset, stating that Christmas without meat just wasn't the same. My mom tried to be supportive, but I could tell she wasn't thrilled either.

They reluctantly sat down to eat, but the atmosphere was tense. Throughout dinner, there were passive-aggressive comments about the lack of 'real food' and how they missed the usual Christmas meats.

My younger brother didn't hide his disdain and even made a show of picking at his plate. After dinner, my mom pulled me aside and said that while she respected my choices, I shouldn't have forced them onto the family during such an important holiday.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

She mentioned how traditions were important to uphold, especially on Christmas. I felt hurt and misunderstood.

So AITA for serving a tofu-based Christmas vegan feast to my meat-loving family? I honestly don't know if I'm wrong here and could use some perspective.