If you're at a loss about what to get your bestie this year, choosing a gift based on their Myers-Briggs personality type can take the guess work out of gifting. These gift ideas for your best friend based on their Myers-Briggs type will ensure that you give your BFF something they'll truly love. Holiday gift shopping can be stressful, in large part because people often choose gifts based on their own preferences, which means the gift doesn't always elicit the response they'd hoped. While we'd all like to think we know our best friends better than anyone else, your idea of a dream gift could be your bestie's WTF-am-I-supposed-to-do-with-this gift.
If you're not familiar with the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), this test determines which of the 16 different personality types a person identifies as based on how they prefer to use perception and judgment to make decisions. It also outlines the differences between introverts and extroverts. For instance, I am an INFP, which means I am an introvert who makes decisions based on intuition, feelings, and perception.
"Perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of things, people, happenings, or ideas," the Myers & Briggs Foundation explained on its website. "Judgment involves all the ways of coming to conclusions about what has been perceived. If people differ systematically in what they perceive and in how they reach conclusions, then it is only reasonable for them to differ correspondingly in their interests, reactions, values, motivations, and skills."
Understanding different personality types can help you choose the perfect gift based on your best friend's MBTI so you can surprise them with something they really want.
1INJT: Sony LED Bulb Speaker
Sony LED Bulb Speaker, $238, Sony
The INJT personality type is one of the rarest, according to the website 16 Personalities. "INTJs form just 2 percent of the population, and women of this personality type are especially rare, forming just 0.8 percent of the population." INTJs can be notoriously hard to shop for, but they do love the latest tech gadgets, like this Sony LED Bulb Speaker, which does double duty as a light bulb with 192 color settings and 32 levels of brightness, and also acts as a wireless speaker so your INTJ can create an immersive personal experience in every room in their home.
2INTP: The Introvert Activity Book
The Introvert Activity Book, $10, Amazon
According to 16 Personalities, INTPs pride themselves on their inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. Based on this, you're going to want to get your INTP best friend a gift that allows them to express their creativity on their terms. The Introvert Activity Book by Maureen Mazi Wilson is a thoughtful gift idea for the reflective introvert in your life. "Introverts are known for their creativity, their need for thoughtful reflection, and their preference for solitary activities, such as drawing and writing," the books description on Simon & Schuster explained. "The Introvert Activity Book offers doodle ideas, lists, paper-craft projects, writing prompts, and so much more—the reader becomes the author."
3ENTJ: Fitbit Zip
Fitbit Zip, $60, Fitbit.com
"ENTJs are characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they’ve set for themselves" 16 Personalities noted. For the ENTJ in your life, a practical gift that allows them to track progress and see results is sure to please. The Fitbit Zip can let the ENTJ record their steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned by tapping the display to see their stats and the time of day, which is ideal for the impatient ENTJ who wants to see what they've accomplished right away.
4ENTP: Nasty Feminist Card Game
Nasty Feminist Card Game, $25, Shrill Society
ENTPs love to debate and play devil's advocate, so any type of competitive game is good for this personality type, like this new Nasty Feminist Card Game. Nasty Feminist, which is designed and made by women, is described as a fun social party game that harnesses the power of politics and popular culture to encourage more people to join the political conversation, especially women. And, for each sale of Nasty Feminist, 10 percent of the proceed goes to She Should Run, an organization that encourages and supports women running for political office.
5INFJ: revolucion Rupa Legging
revolucion Rupa Legging, $79, revolucion.com
One of the rarest personality types, the INFJ is known as the advocate. This compassionate, introverted type is rooted in equal parts idealism and action, so a thoughtful gift that also gives back is perfect for your INFJ bestie. For each pair of socially conscious revolucion Rupa Leggings sold, the company donates one personal hygiene kit to a homeless youth, so this gift does double duty for the rare-bird INFJ.
6INFP: Crystal Muse
Crystal Muse: Everyday Rituals to Tune into the Real You, $18, Amazon
INFPs tend to be mediators seeking balance and harmony everywhere they go. However, people with this whimsical personality type often neglect to balance themselves. The new book Crystal Muse: Everyday Rituals to Tune into the Real You, is an introduction to healing crystals so your INFP bestie can balance their inner chi. And, the book is endorsed the likes of Lena Dunham, Molly Sims, and Jason Mraz.
7ENFJ: My Tea Drop Sampler
My Tea Drop Sampler, $26, My Tea Drop
Your ENFJ best friend is likely an inspiring natural-born leader who is committed to improving the lives of those around them. Because they're extroverted, an Instagramable gift, like these beautiful teas from My Tea Drop, is ideal. The "J" in them is going to want something practical. This My Tea Drop sampler set comes in a keepsake wooden box and includes five drops each of citrus ginger, rose earl grey, sweet peppermint, matcha green tea, and blueberry acai team. All of the teas are organic and fair trade, and the best part if that they disintegrate in your cup right before you eyes.
8ENFP: Baked By Melissa, The Dream Team
The Dream Team, starting at $25, Baked By Melissa
ENFPs are free-spirited social butterflies who are often the life of the party. Because your ENFP bestie loves to celebrate, consider celebrating your friendship with The Dream Team handcrafted cupcakes from Baked By Melissa. These colorful, not to mention uber Instagramable, treats will have your ENFP swinging from the chandeliers for both their beauty and their decadence. Personally, my ENFP best friend would absolutely love this, and I can even get her gluten-free treats.
9ISTJ: Robotic Smartphone Tablet Screen Cleaner
Robotic Smartphone Tablet Screen Cleaner, $16, Amazon
Monica from Friends is probably and ISTJ. This personality is actually one of the most common. If your bestie is an ISTJ, they're likely practical, organized, and goal oriented. However, they also love gadgets that can make their lives easier, not to mention cleaner. An ISTJ hates a smudged screen, so this Robotic Smartphone Tablet Screen Cleaner is the perfect gift because it's both fun and practical.
1010: ISFJ: Dana's Bakery Mac Of The Month
Dana's Bakery Mac Of The Month (three-month subscription), $153, Dana's Bakery
"ISFJs are true altruists, meeting kindness with kindness-in-excess and engaging the work and people they believe in with enthusiasm and generosity," 16 Personalities noted. Return the favor by pampering your ISFJ best friend with a food subscription service like this three-month subscription to Dana's Bakery Mac Of The Month macaroon club. This gift is Instagramable, which the ISFJ will love, and shows your bestie how much you truly appreciate them.
11ISFP: Google Daydream View
Google Daydream View, $79, Google Express
Your ISFP BFF is a daydreamer, and is always up for any adventure, which is why the Google Daydream View is perfect for an introvert who loves to explore, but also loves to stay home. This virtual reality headset allows the ISFP to play games alone or with friends, and explore VR without leaving the house.
12ESTJ: Super Maid Robotic Vacuum
Super Maid Robotic Vacuum, $99, Target
ESTJs are organized, super busy, and usually in charge, which leaves them little time to keep the house clean. While some people say you should never get someone a vacuum as a gift, I disagree. My Shark vacuum is my most favorite gift I have ever received, and your ESTJ will feel the same way about this Super Maid Robotic Vacuum, which will clean the floor so they don't have to.
13ESFJ: Odette & Joni Organic Spa Gift Box
Odette & Joni Organic Spa Gift Box, $49, Etsy
Your ESFJ BFF loves to feel pampered, but they also want to feel good about the products they're using, which makes the Odette & Joni Organic Spa Gift Box an ideal gift. All of these organic, handmade items and pure enough to eat, so if your ESFJ runs out of food during the apocalypse, they can eat their spa box.
14ISTP: Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears
Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears, $63, Amazon
Your ISTP bestie loves to explore with all five senses. They also love gadgets, tinkering around, and discovering things that are out of the ordinary. These Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears allows your ISTP best friend to move their new cat ears with their emotions, which is actually a pretty rad gift for anyone.
15ESTP: WÜD Phone Case
Purple Stabilized Burl Wood Phone Case, $40, WÜD
ESTPs live in the moment, tend to be impulsive, appreciate unique and abstract ideas, and are great to have around in an emergency. If your bestie is an ESTP, give them a truly one-of-a-kind gift with these WÜD phone cases. Handcrafted from wood or rock, each case is a personal expression created by an artist.
16ESFP: Spectacles By Snap
Spectacles By Snap, $129, Spectacles.com
The ESFP is a born entertainer, both on and offline. That's why Spectacles By Snap, which are glasses that allow you to use Snapchat right from your eyeballs, are perfect for your ESFP social media star bestie.
For more ideas about what to get your best friend based on their MBTI, you can explore all of the personality types, and take the test, to learn more.
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Correction: A previous version of this story misrepresented the official MBTI assessment website. It has been updated to accurately include the official MBTI assessment.
