Passodue’s Gift Guide

By the Passodue team

Is there anything harder than choosing Christmas gifts? We usually end up stuck in an ethical dilemma when trying to decide: How can our present be original and useful at the same time? What that doesn’t cost a fortune would surprise someone who’s already got everything? How can you pick the right gift for someone you don’t know well enough? And above all, is there a way to find something quickly without seeming careless?

It is this last question that we at Passodue will try to answer through this article. In fact, what you’re about to read is a list of possible gifts that our team wanted to share with you! Here they are, listed in no particular order.

Passodue’s top 15 Christmas Gift Ideas

While drafting this article, we asked everyone in our internal chat to suggest something meaningful for the gift guide. Our trainers, our consultants, and those who work behind the scenes in administration or planning, i.e., the entire Passodue team, have shared their recommendations, but we’ve decided not to reveal “who suggested what,” to add a touch of mystery. However, we’re sure that those who know us will understand…

1. A Family Tree
   This is a great gift for two reasons. First, we all want to know the truth about our past, especially when it fails to be passed on, which in turn means the stories we tell ourselves are often self-narratives. The second reason is more philosophical. To understand where we are headed, we must first know our origins. If you’re looking for a service to explore your roots, try https://www.tellmegen.com/en.
2. Shared Memories
   Going to a concert or an exhibition, visiting a different city, spending an afternoon at a spa… the sky is the limit when it comes to sharing experiences. All that matters is to spend time doing something you both enjoy, which will make the experience really memorable. For this kind of gift, check out https://www.vivaticket.com/it.
3. Rain Boots and a Waterproof Jacket
   Walking in the rain while keeping dry is something that takes us back to our childhood, joyfully splashing in puddles. There are many companies that manufacture waterproof clothing, such as https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb, which actually invented the rainproof jacket.
4. A Self-Defense Class
   While it may seem contradictory for an ethics-focused group to suggest this, self-defense is actually very useful as a means of channeling and managing aggression—whether it comes from you or from others. There are many options, but we recommend you choose a “soft” discipline which focuses more on defense rather than attack, such as Jiu-Jitsu. Find out more at https://www.gracieuniversity.com/.
5. An Unusual Shared Passion
   You know that nerdy friend who, like you, is a huge fan of vintage video games? A gift that stems from that shared interest strengthens your bond and rekindles the joy of playing. Find some quirky inspiration at https://www.gamestop.com/video-games/retro-gaming.
6. Distance Adoption
   This is perhaps the most altruistic suggestion, but the joy we feel when we help a child, a project, or an endangered species is often more about what we receive than what we give. As an old advertisement of the Caritas charity said: “Be selfish, do good!” A trustworthy organization for such adoptions is https://www.santegidio.org/.
7. A Film Poster
   Stories shape us, by building or reinforcing our moral compass. The films we love tether us to who we really are, to our values, our beliefs, and our cherished memories. Check out the catalog at https://www.goposter.it/gb/.
8. A Plant or Something to Take Care of
   Learning to empathise is a great gift to yourself and to others. Taking care of any form of life is a direct way to develop this vital skill. This company sparked our interest: https://www.biorfarm.com/.
9. A Subscription to an International Magazine
   The world is bigger than we think, and it’s good to be reminded of that. Italian newspapers and magazines are unfortunately going downhill, so it’s refreshing to explore perspectives elsewhere. Consider subscribing to https://www.newyorker.com/.
10. An Eco-friendly Change of Habit
    Think of a gift that can encourage a change of habit which benefits the planet, like a travel soap bar and a soap bar case. You’ll have less plastic in your bag, and you’ll make a small change in habit that benefits the ecosystem. Soap is only one of the many things we can change, but if you like the idea, have a look at
    https://www.la-saponaria.com/.
11. Your Talents
    We know many people with particularly unique skills. We know someone who built themselves a camper, someone who is really great at pottery, an expert in diets, and even one skilled in understanding calculation of probabilities. Are you particularly good at something? Why not dedicate your talents to helping people who might really need them? There are initiatives that are dedicated to these kinds of exchanges such as “Skill Barter”, supported by Fior di Risorse. Find out more at https://news.fiordirisorse.eu/il-baratto-delle-competenze/.
12. A Walkman
    Yes, the one with cassette tapes! We’ve all noticed a comeback of vinyl records, and it’s not just because it’s fashionable to be vintage. According to some audio experts, analogue music recordings sound more natural to us. Why not bring back cassette tapes, too? Be trendsetters for this revival and start using one of these: https://www.wearerewind.com/.
13. Some Free Time
    Does your friend have four children and little time for themselves? Does one of your former schoolmates have lots of work to tackle, and their puffy eyes show they are overwhelmed? Give them a break by offering to stand in for them. If you can’t give them some of your personal time, you could turn to a Time Bank, a specialized organization that can handle this for you: https://www.timebanks.org/.
14. Portable Barbecue
    In North-American culture, barbecues, or BBQs, as they call them there, are truly revered. Here, they’ve struggled to catch on, perhaps because we live in more cramped environments or in concrete jungles. But it’s never too late to enjoy nature and unplug! Our advice is to keep a portable one in your car, even just to rekindle your nomadic spirit: https://thebbqshop.co.uk/.
15. A Book on Purchase Motivations
    Ok, we know this last suggestion is self-serving, but go easy on us! Selling books isn’t easy for anyone, especially when they come out of years of research which are mostly self-financed. Our mission is to encourage further discussion on business ethics, changing market logic and the corporate world from the ground up—one training, one consultancy, one article, and one book at a time. You can find it here: https://amzn.eu/d/ie3Xbcf.

A Final Reflection

Before we say goodbye until next year, allow us one last reflection. Have you noticed that throughout the article, we spoke about gifts rather than presents? A gift isn’t just something you give away, for several reasons.

The word “gift” has multiple meanings: it can refer to something we’ve had since birth, like a talent or a special ability, as well as an actual present. This dual nature reminds us that to offer something as a gift, we must tap into something that comes from within.

The Law of Reciprocity, which we’ve quoted multiple times on this blog, operates on a simple mechanism: being, offering, and receiving. This dynamic is closely related to the concept of a gift. Knowing oneself and knowing the other person are, therefore, strictly necessary to choose the right gift. This means that a gift is never “free” but carries an intrinsic value that encourages reciprocity. This doesn’t mean that when you get someone a gift, you should expect something in return; instead, the spirit of the gift should be an enabler. It should prompt something in the recipient: plant a seed, promote change, inspire reflection, or even bring about a real evolution. Receiving, in turn, should inspire a desire to offer something as well!

For those who don’t enjoy Christmas, with its tradition of exchanging gifts that some find insincere or overly consumeristic, we share a reflection from a member of our team: “I would love to rediscover the joy of giving freely and authentically, just for the pleasure of doing it, without feeling that I have to do it, which instead is often the case during the holidays.”

diariodiunconsulente.it will take a break until January 13, 2025, but our Facebook page, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles will continue to be updated during the holidays. Keep following and supporting us. We are so deeply grateful that you have been in such great numbers this year. Happy holidays from all of us!

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