Do you aspire to watch your loved one’s eyes light up with joy when they open your presents? Choosing the right holiday gift doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Your loved ones’ Enneagram types can help you give them amazing gifts they’ll cherish for a long time.
9 mins read
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?
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.
Other gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 1 include:
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.
Other gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 2 include:
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.
Other holiday gift ideas for an Enneagram three type include:
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.
Other holiday gift suggestions for an Enneagram Type 4 include:
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.
Other holiday gift ideas for an Enneagram Type 5 include:
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.
Other gift ideas for Enneagram Type 6 include:
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.
Other holiday gifts for an Enneagram Type 7 include:
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.
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.
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!
Content Writer
Published 29 November 2023