It’s that time of the year again when you must shop for holiday gifts and decide who gets what and how much gets spent on each person. While some people on your list are easy, there are always those few loved ones that you dread shopping for. No matter how hard you try, you just can't get the perfect gifts.
And it’s not for a lack of spending either. You have spent more than you had planned, expecting your loved ones to go crazy with joy upon receiving the gifts, but the reactions haven’t met your expectations. You notice how your loved ones try desperately to hide their disappointment behind a forced smile to avoid hurting your feelings. They could have fooled you, but you’ve seen pure ecstasy on their faces when they opened other gifts that cost considerably less.
If you hope to end this cycle, you’ve come to the right place — the solution to your problem may lie in giving gifts based on Enneagram types.
Do you know your loved ones' Enneagram type? Reading our comprehensive guide to the Enneagram can help you figure it out. Better still, take our Enneagram personality test together.
The information in this article will not only significantly improve your gift-giving skill, but — whisper it quietly so you don’t jinx it — you may also finally displace your cousin as the best gift-giver in the family. Yes, we understand that gift-giving aims to spread love and not compete with others. But who said you can't do both?
By understanding your loved ones' Enneagram types, you can give perfect gifts they will appreciate and cherish without spending above your budget. We also recommend considering their love language when choosing the best gift.
You may also like: Can Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type Predict What You Do at Holiday Gatherings?
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 1 – The Perfectionist
When choosing a gift for perfectionists, consider their love for order, structure, personal development, and self-improvement. The ideal gift should facilitate their goal to become the best version of themselves.
Here are some holiday gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 1.
- High-quality Planner – With a high-quality planner like a bullet journal, perfectionists can stay on top of tasks and remain productive enough for their high standards.
- High-Quality Office Supplies – Perfectionists need high-quality tools to deliver top-notch work. Consider gifts like leather-bound notebooks, premium pens, long-lasting desk lamps, etc.
- Gratitude Journal – Those who strive to be perfect in everything sometimes fail to appreciate the little things. A gratitude journal helps perfectionists focus on the positive aspects of life.
- Wellness Retreat Certificate – Striving for perfection takes a physical and mental toll on the body, and a wellness retreat provides a much-needed opportunity for self-care and relaxation. A day at the massage parlor or spa can help them unwind.
- Personal Development Books – You can play your part in helping perfectionists achieve their goals by gifting them self-help, leadership, and mindfulness books to facilitate their personal growth.
Other gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 1 include:
- Organizational tools like desk organizers, digital task management tools, label makers, index cards, and sticky notes.
- Subscription to a mindfulness app.
- Sign them up for cooking or baking classes.
- Inspirational wall art to provide constant encouragement and motivation.
- Personalized gifts based on their interests and hobbies.
- Gift cards to learn a valuable skill they appreciate.
- Ember mug.
- Books.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 2 – The Helper
The ideal gift for the helper recognizes their tendency to care for others. Your present should acknowledge and express appreciation for their kindness and selflessness while offering them a chance to relax and focus on self-care. You can achieve this by adding a beautiful handwritten letter to a gift that aligns with their interests and demonstrates your care and thoughtfulness.
The following holiday gift ideas are appropriate for the helper.
- Weekend Getaway or Paid Vacation with Loved Ones – Helpers enjoy being with friends and family. A weekend getaway allows them to relax and bond with their loved ones.
- Gift Certificate for a Wellness Retreat – Helpers often neglect themselves despite spending so much time caring for others. A weekend at the spa can help them destress.
- Cooking or Baking Classes – People with a nurturing and giving personality may enjoy preparing food for their loved ones. Signing them up for cooking or baking classes can be enriching.
- Donate in Their Name to Their Favorite Charity – Helpers are socially responsible individuals passionate about helping others. Donating in their name to their favorite charity or volunteering together can be an enriching experience.
- Self-Care Kit – Giving them a self-care kit containing scented candles, bath products, skincare items, a journal, a cozy blanket, tea, a self-help book, meditation tools, etc, can encourage them to look after themselves.
Other gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 2 include:
- Offer them a day of service to help them with tasks.
- Plant or garden set.
- Personalized jewelry or keepsake.
- A customized recipe book.
- A scrapbook.
- Home décor tools.
- Mani/pedi gift card.
- Bath robe.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 3 – The Achiever
Achievers are charismatic, goal-oriented, and success-driven individuals who desire efficiency and appreciate style and luxury. It is not enough for them to be successful; they also want to look the part. They know the latest trends and desire trendy gifts that reflect their success and make people admire them.
Type 3s are conscious of their image and cherish flamboyant or over-the-top gifts. Don’t try to surprise an achiever with gifts; the odds of getting them what they appreciate are very slim. It’s easier to ask them what they want. They most likely already have a list prepared that you can choose from.
The following holiday gift ideas are appropriate for the achiever.
- Stylish, Quality Briefcase – Achievers can maintain a professional appearance and enhance their image with a stylish briefcase.
- Fitness Subscription – Gifting them a paid subscription to a high-quality gym will help them stay in shape and keep up with their ambitious health goals.
- High-Performance Gadgets – Achievers desire high-performance tech gadgets like the latest smartphones, smartwatches, etc, to enhance productivity, have fun, and keep in touch with the latest trends.
- Gift Card to Their Favorite Clothing or Electronic Store – A gift certificate to an achiever's favorite store allows them to buy what they want and eliminates the risk of purchasing something they may not appreciate.
- Professional Development Course – Pay for a course that aligns with the achiever’s field or interests to facilitate their personal and professional development.
Other holiday gift ideas for an Enneagram three type include:
- Personalized productivity tools
- Books on personal and professional advancement.
- High-end clothing accessories.
- Espresso machine.
- Travel gear.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 4 – The Individualist
Individualists are creative and passionate people who value uniqueness and self-expression. When choosing a gift for them, ensure they resonate with their artistic nature. Most individualists prefer thoughtful, unique gifts that are ethically sourced and evoke an emotional response. Please do not buy them a generic, impersonal gift.
Here are some of the best holiday gift suggestions for Enneagram Type 4.
- Art Supplies or Class – Gifting them art supplies or enrolling them in an art class allows them to develop their creative talents and express themselves artistically.
- Unique Jewelry or Vintage Décor – Gifting them one-of-a-kind jewelry helps them stand out, while vintage décor will liven up their home.
- A Day of Artistic Adventure – With so many great artistic works out there, you can gift an individualist a day of exploration to visit an art gallery or other creative places.
Other holiday gift suggestions for an Enneagram Type 4 include:
- DIY calligraphy set
- Singing lessons.
- Creative workshop
- Concert tickets to their favorite artist.
- Personalized Art Print.
- Customized Poetry or Creative Writing Book
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 5 – The Investigator
Due to the investigator's thirst for knowledge and passion for learning, giving them books on their favorite subjects or resources to help them pursue their interests is always greatly appreciated. Type 5s love receiving thoughtful, practical gifts they can put to good use. They dislike unnecessary or extravagant gifts.
You can't go amiss with the following gift ideas for Enneagram 5.
- Subscription to an Educational Platform – What better gift can you give a passionate learner than a subscription to a platform that contains a wealth of quality information to facilitate their learning?
- Personal Bookshelf – Investigators often have extensive book collections and may struggle to organize them effectively. A bookshelf seems like the perfect gift.
- Advanced Gadget for Learning – Hobbies like computer programming, photography, and software development need high-quality tools. Gifting a laptop computer or a camera can only enhance their interests.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – High-quality noise-canceling headphones will help block the noise and allow investigators to concentrate while learning.
- Weekend Retreat – A retreat to a serene environment allows them to recharge and reflect.
Other holiday gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 5 include:
- Books related to their interests and favorite subjects.
- Science Center membership.
- Online workshop.
- Scientific equipment like telescopes, microscopes, etc.
- Online educational classes.
- Coffee machine.
- Trivia board games.
- Subscription to Kindle.
- Gift cards to bookstores.
- Museum tickets.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 6 – The Skeptic
Skeptics are cautious of outsiders but loyal to their loved ones. They always prioritize safety and security, which comes with being around people they love and trust. They love planning and fear the unknown, so they prepare for it as much as possible. An ideal gift to the skeptic should be practical and usable because they hate clutter.
Check out the following holiday gift ideas for Enneagram 6.
- Emergency Preparedness Kit – With an emergency kit, a skeptic can rest assured that they have the necessary tools to respond effectively during emergencies.
- Mindfulness Class – Skeptics may be stressed and anxious because they fear being unprepared for the unknown and always try to foresee danger. Enrolling in mindfulness classes can help them relax and find inner peace.
- Comforting Items – You can’t go wrong by gifting them soft blankets, warm slippers, and comforting scented candles, which will help during uncertain times.
Other gift ideas for Enneagram Type 6 include:
- Gift cards to favorite stores.
- Picnic with loved ones.
- Confidence-building classes.
- Self-help books on managing stress and anxiety.
- Jerseys of their favorite sports team.
- Security camera.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 7 – The Enthusiast
Enthusiasts are fun-loving individuals who aim to live life to the fullest. Enthusiasts love surprises as they keep things spontaneous and exciting. Since they aim to have fun at every moment, they won’t appreciate a practical or passive-aggressive gift to strengthen their weaknesses. The perfect gift should be thoughtful and encourage adventure, exploration, and entertainment.
The following gift ideas are ideal for the enthusiast.
- Tickets to an Exciting Event – This includes live shows, sports games, concerts, or any other exciting event where fun is guaranteed.
- Mini Camera – Since enthusiasts experience special moments regularly, a mini camera can help them capture those moments so they can savor them later.
- AirBnB Gift Card – Premium experience costs a lot of money. An AirBnB gift card eliminates accommodation costs during their travels and allows enthusiasts to focus on the experience.
- Personalized Adventure Journal – An adventure journal encourages enthusiasts to write about their journeys and experiences, keeping a record of their activities.
Other holiday gifts for an Enneagram Type 7 include:
- Adventure experiences like hot air balloon rides, hiking, etc.
- Travel accessories like backpacks, luggage sets, portable chargers, etc.
- Premium cooler.
- Travel-inspired hammock.
- Portable Bluetooth speaker.
- Airline gift card.
- Picnic basket.
- Insulated water bottle.
- Holiday Getaway.
- Subscription to an entertainment service.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 8 – The Challenger
When buying holiday gifts for a challenger, consider their assertive and practical nature and choose a gift that resonates with those qualities. Challengers love quality gifts that serve a purpose or align with their interests. They also enjoy thrill-seeking activities, so they’ll appreciate tickets to the adventure park.
Since challengers love to control and make great leaders, a gift celebrating their achievements or supporting their leadership journey would earn you several points. The ideal gift should align with the challenger's assertive, practical, and adventurous personality and recognize their interests and successes.
The following holiday gift ideas are appropriate for the Enneagram 8.
- Leadership training course.
- Self-defense training.
- Weekend retreat.
- Subscription to a leadership magazine.
- Personalized workout equipment.
- High-quality gym membership.
- Personalized award.
- A day of adrenaline-filled adventure activities like bungee jumping, racing, skydiving, etc.
- Customized business accessories.
- High-quality gadgets.
- Books on personal growth and self-development.
- Adventure gear.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Enneagram Type 9 – The Peacemaker
Due to their desire for peace and harmony, the ideal gifts for Enneagram 9 should foster tranquility, relaxation, and self-care. Peacemakers sometimes neglect their own needs to allow peace to reign, so gifts that bring them comfort and relaxation are highly valued.
You may also get them nature-inspired gifts because many of them feel connected to nature. Personalized thoughtful gifts also show them that you care instead of generic big-box store gifts.
The following are some of the best holiday gift ideas for Type 9.
- Comfort and relaxation items like cozy blankets, soft pillows, and spa-related gifts.
- Nature and outdoor gear like potted plants, camping gear, etc.
- Yoga accessories.
- Wellness retreat vouchers.
- Custom-made artwork or jewelry.
- A day of relaxation at the spa.
- Personalized tea or coffee set.
- Customized relaxation playlist.
- Books on mindfulness and self-care.
How Much Should You Spend on Holiday Gifts for Your Loved Ones?
The average consumer in the United States spent approximately $870 U.S. dollars on holiday gifts in 2022. In an interview with Bankrate, experts recommended spending $100 on spouses, between $75 to $100 on parents, $75 for kids, $50 for siblings, and $15 to $25 on friends, co-workers, and teachers.
But even those figures depend on your salary and expenses. According to a 2022 survey by Lending Tree, thirty-five percent of American consumers took on debt to pay for holiday expenses.
You do not need to break the bank to spread happiness to your loved ones.
As long as you give thoughtful gifts that show care, you will bring smiles to everyone. Spending over the budget helps no one except the retailers (and perhaps the Enneagram type three achievers who crave flamboyant, over-the-top gifts).
Additionally, when you spend too much on a gift, your loved ones may want to reciprocate with a similarly expensive gift. Consequently, you’ve both done nothing but throw each other into debt. Spend reasonably within your budget, and if you have to buy an expensive gift because it is necessary — like purchasing a high-quality digital camera for your photographer friend — go in for a group gift.
Need more great gift ideas?
Check out our Holiday Gift Giving Guide for MBTI personality types!
