The Perfect Gift for Each Enneagram Type
Some people are just impossible to shop for. Or are they? I’ve got a trick that might help you get some new gift ideas!
Have you heard of the Enneagram of Personality? It’s a fascinating system that breaks down different combinations of traits into nine distinct personality types. And luckily for you, this blog post will help explain it to you and give you gift ideas for each of the enneagram types.
Similar to the Myers-Briggs test, the Enneagram uses a questionnaire (the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator) to determine your basic personality type. Numbers are used to identify each type (1–9) because they are neutral—they don’t carry any of the biases that typical words used in psychology do. The ranking of the numbers isn’t significant; a bigger number isn’t better than a smaller number, or vice versa. But each number is a key to the inner workings of a person.
Even if you don’t specifically know your friends’ and family members’ types, you can often guess what type they might be based on the descriptions of each personality. Or, you could try to casually sneak it into conversation somehow and ask the person if they know what type they are. If you’re struggling to figure out a gift for someone this year, below are some gift suggestions for each of the nine Enneagram types!
The four adjectives that follow each type, as well as the examples of famous people who are each type, come directly from the Enneagram Institute’s website, where you can read about each type in more detail.
Type 1: The Reformer
Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic
Examples: Confucius, Joan of Arc, Michelle Obama, Julie Andrews, Pope John Paul II, Jane Fonda
The Reformer is an advocate for change with a strong sense of right and wrong. Type Ones are idealistic, hold themselves to high standards, and are willing to sacrifice personal comforts for the greater good. They want to make the world a better place, starting with themselves; that is why many type Ones are teachers, leaders, and activists. Check out some of our fun gift ideas for teachers!
Ones have a strong sense of purpose, but they often wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and and feel like they need to justify their actions and feelings. They fear being seen as morally corrupt or less than “perfect.” This never-ending quest for perfection can lead them to be increasingly strict and hard on themselves. Remind the One in your life that they are succeeding at making a difference in the world with one of our appreciation dish towels.
Type 2: The Helper
Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic
Examples: Eleanor Roosevelt, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Paula Abdul
The Helper is the “Mom” of your friend group. Type Twos are kind, patient, empathetic, and full of unconditional love for others. People are drawn to them due to their warm, compassionate nature, as well as their ability to help others see the positive qualities in themselves that they have failed to recognize. If your type Two friend actually is a mom, let her know how special she is with our “Recipe for a Special Mom” wall hanging.
Twos are generous with their time and attention, making them great listeners and empathizers. They are aptly named “Helpers” because they find joy in helping others, so they are always willing to lend a hand. Twos often love taking care of people by cooking, cleaning, or helping in another way, so a great gift idea for an enneagram type Two might be something related to those things. Check out our wide array of home decor items, like dish towels, potholders, quilts, and more!
Type 3: The Achiever
Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious
Examples: Bill Clinton, Muhammed Ali, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise
The Achiever is your stereotypical class president—accomplished, well-liked, and ambitious. Type Threes are driven and competitive, and they push themselves to be the best, meaning they are often successful business professionals, public speakers, and performing artists. Help them stay organized in their hustle with one of our note holders! These cute items come in several different designs and keep those sticky notes at the ready for whenever inspiration strikes.
Threes will put a lot of work into their quest for success, but this ambition and endless pursuit of self-development can be exhausting without a few rest periods sprinkled in. Remind the Achievers in your life to take a break once in a while with a coaster they can set their relaxing drink of choice on. Or, encourage them to unwind with a relaxing activity like golf or fishing.
Type 4: The Individualist
Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental
Examples: Edgar Allen Poe, Anne Frank, Judy Garland, Prince, Frida Kahlo, Johnny Depp
The Individualist is the “drama queen” in your group of friends. Type Fours are creative, self-aware, and passionate. They have very strong emotions, both positive and negative, and they are not afraid for other people to see them. Oftentimes, they believe that they are unlike everyone else, and therefore, that no one will ever understand them. A great gift idea for an enneagram type 4 would be something that celebrates their individuality by showing off their personality, like a keychain, a new pair of earrings, or something custom made!
Fours see themselves as fundamentally different from the rest of the world, so why not get them a gift that’s different from any gift they’ve gotten before? Shake things up and give your friend a roll of embroidered toilet paper! You’re sure to surprise them (and get a smile) with one of our hilarious phrases embroidered onto a roll of toilet paper. (Yes it is actually embroidered right onto the toilet paper.) We have designs for holidays, birthdays, sports fans, and more, as well as some that are just fun bathroom jokes. (Because let’s be honest…who doesn’t love a little bathroom humor?)
Type 5: The Investigator
Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated
Examples: Agatha Christie, Buddha, Albert Einstein, Kurt Cobain, Bill Gates, Vincent van Gogh
The Investigator is the type of person who thinks like a detective. Type Fives are adept at solving problems and hungry to learn more about why things are the way that they are. They tend to focus their study on one or two subjects that they want to master; this expertise helps them feel self-confident and able to connect with others. A bookmark could be a great gift idea for the enneagram type Five in your life so they can keep their spot in whatever newest book they’re reading.
Fives are observant and insightful, and they often see the world in a way that most people do not; in fact, they tend to challenge people’s conventional views. This can lead to remarkable discoveries and innovations, which is why many scientists and mathematicians are Fives. If you know someone who loves to learn new things and question the world around them, try getting them something related to their love of knowledge, like our new “Chemistree” ornament!
Type 6: The Loyalist
Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious
Examples: Sigmund Freud, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Malcom X
The Loyalist is like a protective older brother. Type Sixes are named “Loyalists” because of their fierce loyalty to their friends and beliefs. They see the best in people and remain dedicated to making relationships work, often beyond the point where most other people would give up. If you have a a friend who’s stuck by you through everything, celebrate the unbreakable bond you share with our gingerbread friends ornament, personalized with your two names. Are you and your bestie long-distance friends? Get them an ornament that says, “I wish you lived next door.”
Sixes are also reliable, trustworthy, and hardworking, making them excellent troubleshooters. This is because they are driven by the desire to have stability and feel supported. Many Sixes struggle with anxiety and insecurity in themselves, so they do everything they can to make the world around them secure. If you know a Six who struggles with self-doubt and lacks confidence, remind them that there are people who love them and are there to help support them when they need it with one of our inspirational magnets.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and Scattered
Examples: Benjamin Franklin, JFK, Elton John, Britney Spears, Fred Astaire, Miley Cyrus
The Enthusiast is someone who goes through life with a kid-in-a-candy-store kind of energy, anticipation, and…enthusiasm. Type Sevens are inherently curious, always searching for new and exciting experiences. Many Sevens crave adventure in the form of travel, often to far-off places that are different from their own. Nurture their wanderlust with a custom bag or keychain, and keep them safe and healthy on their travels with a hand sanitizer case.
Sevens are usually very quick learners and often have many talents and interests. They are very impulsive and bounce from one activity to the next, all in the hopes of satisfying their hunger for excitement. This constant “go go go” mentality can be draining though, and many Sevens can end up tired, anxious, or frustrated. Remind them to pause every once in a while and spend some time relaxing alone with one of our comfy blankets!
Type 8: The Challenger
Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational
Examples: MLK Jr., Serena Williams, Clint Eastwood, Aretha Franklin, Ernest Hemingway, Pink
The Challenger is what some might consider the “Alpha” of a group. Type Eights are natural leaders because they are assertive and have a take-charge attitude, making it easy for others to follow them. If you know someone who takes over every time someone else tries to cook instead, our “Queen of the Kitchen” potholder could be a great gift idea for enneagram type Eights!
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Receptive, Reassuring, Complacent, and Resigned
Examples: Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Audrey Hepburn, Mister Rogers, Janet Jackson
The Peacemaker is the glue that holds everyone together. Type Nines strive to maintain harmony in their environment and avoid conflict, and they will often forgo their own wants and needs to keep the peace. They look for the silver lining in everything and tend to focus on only pleasant experiences. Our custom puzzle frame would be a perfect gift for the enneagram type Nine in your life who keeps your family or group of friends together.
Nines are constantly seeking peace, both internal and external, and they often are very spiritual and in tune with the universe. If you know a Nine who is religious, we have a whole collection of Catholic saint items that they are sure to love. If they’re not religious, celebrate their patient and calming personality by getting them an essential oils bag. Our handcrafted travel bags are great for storing and transporting essential oils, lotions, lip balms, and more.
Custom Gifts For All Your Loved Ones
I hope this post helped you find some gift ideas for the different enneagram types. Don’t see exactly what you want in this post or on the website? The beautiful thing about buying handmade gifts is that you can often work directly with the artisan to create something as unique and wonderful as each of your loved ones. If you’re looking for a custom, personalized gift, I would love to help make your vision come to life! Fill out the contact form on the website with what you’re thinking of and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy gifting!
Anne
Artisan and Owner | Kidderbug Kreations
kidderbugkreations@gmail.com
When you want the perfect gift – the one that brings joy to your heart and a smile to their face – get your free gift guide!
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