The Top 7 Gift Ideas for INFJs
What makes the perfect gift for an INFJ? And how do they feel about giving and receiving gifts in general? With Christmas just around the corner, I wondered if different personality types were impressed by different types of gifts. With that in mind I decided to ask around. I checked with friends and family, people on personality forums, Facebook groups, and more to determine what each personality type really wants and why!
The INFJs Relationship with Gifts
For an INFJ, the important thing is the meaning behind the gift. It doesn’t matter so much what the gift is as the thought that went into it. Many INFJs said they felt uncomfortable or bad when they received gifts. Some mentioned feeling guilty, some were embarrassed, and others felt awkward. Overall, many preferred the joy of giving rather than receiving. However, a gift with a symbolic meaning or a personal touch could completely make their day.
The Gifts That INFJs Enjoy the Most
- A Handwritten Letter
By far, the gift that INFJs raved the most about was a hand-written letter. Being able to read someone’s heartfelt thoughts, dreams, wishes – this is what meant the most to them. On the flipside, giving a greeting card with nothing but a signature was a major no-no for INFJs!
- A Book
INFJs are usually major bookworms! They love to read and explore new worlds and new concepts. What kind of books? That was harder to narrow down. INFJs have a wide variety of interests; I read somewhere that INFJs prefer non-fiction while INFPs prefer fiction, but from my own experience I haven’t seen this to be true. They do seem to have a penchant for philosophical books, character-driven novels, fantasy/sci-fi, and books related to self-help or psychology. Chances are, if you know an INFJ very well, you’ll know what kind of books they enjoy.
Not sure what kind of book your INFJ would enjoy? Gift them with a Kindle unlimited or Audible subscription!
- An Experience
A huge number of INFJs said they would rather receive an experience than a material gift. Being able to share a meaningful moment with a loved one meant much more than a gift card or an object of any kind. Experiences INFJs mentioned included vacations, camping trips, dinner and a movie, kayaking, stargazing, or even a board game to play together!
- Alone Time
This gift was mentioned predominantly by INFJ moms and dads who spent a lot of time juggling family members and work or household responsibilities. INFJs need alone time more than many other personality types, due to the nature of their dominant function. Ni-dominant personality types (INFJs and INTJs) are easily overstimulated by outside interruptions and noises, so being able to have some time alone is especially important to them.
- Something Hand-Made
There’s something magical and meaningful about receiving something that a loved one really put their heart into and spent time putting together. Hand-made gifts always made an impact with INFJs.
- Journals and Pens
Many INFJs are able to express their thoughts and feelings in a deeper way through journaling. Because INFJs use Extraverted Feeling (Fe), instead of Introverted Feeling (Fi) they are often more aware of other people’s feelings than their own. This can cause them to feel stifled and overwhelmed when they experience strong emotions, whether good or bad. They are naturally built to understand emotions outside themselves, not inside themselves. One amazing way for INFJs to understand their own emotions and feelings better is to write them down in a journal and read them back to themselves. This allows them to feed their emotions back through Extraverted Feeling and get a better perspective.
- Something Creative
Paints, art kits, photography supplies, and scrapbooking materials were all mentioned. INFJs love to try out a new creative hobby as it gets them in touch with their rich imaginations as well as their Extraverted Sensing function.
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with these gift ideas? Do you have any suggestions? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you!
Other Articles You Might Enjoy:
10 Stress-Busting Tips for the INFJ
10 Things You Should Never Say to an INFJ
The 5 Biggest Misconceptions About INFJs
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As an INFJ I love this list! Yes, especially to books, hand crafted items and creative kits. 🙂 I enjoy both fiction and factual books, but I am fussy when it comes to fiction. I like characters with a lot of emotional or psychological depth and I lean towards 19th-mid 20th century fiction for that reason. Oh and I laughed out loud at the ‘greeting card with just a signature’ … definitely an INFJ faux pas! 🙂
I actually have looked at this series after I bought my gifts for everyone and I’m just going, “Let’s see, I got my INFJ a book, my ESTJ a handmade gift, my INFP a handmade photo frame with all our inside jokes on it… looks like I’m doing okay!”
Hi Susan, I throughly enjoy your blog. I’m an ESTJ and totally agree with your gift comments. My wife is INFJ and your gift comment there was on target, but can’t help me because she is blind and physically challenged.
I’m so glad you enjoy the blog, thank you! I hope you and your wife have a wonderful holiday! She’s lucky to have someone who cares about getting her just the right gift 🙂
Hi, this is absolutely spot on! Anything handmade is perfect, as atwbooks, craft supplies… it’s just perfect!
David Lias – how about something tactile for your wife? A soft hand knitted scarf or a heart made from a tactile fabric; hessian, or soft wool? An audio book? A kindle or similar so she can have a whole audio library? Manicure, pedicure, facial, good haircut or just a shampoo and blow dry? A soft blanket for her knees? Make it, or have it made with knitted and crocheted squares of different texture. You could ask friends and family to each knit or crochet a square and sew them all together?
Susan, I just found your blog today and I’m already addicted. I’m an INFJ myself, and all of these posts are spot-on! Especially the gifts – every single one on this list I would LOVE!
PS: I prefer fiction books – mostly sci-fi/fantasy. I actually recently wrote a YA Fantasy book and I’m working on the sequel!
I love the audible or kindle idea and shared experiences. The letter would be great too. The creative or handmade I’m not sure if I’d be thrilled.
Please don’t take this as bragging (I honestly don’t mean to spread the “I’m a snowflake” stereotype) but I know I’m an INFJ (really sorry) and even though we’re feelers, we spend a lot of time thinking. That means that one of the best gifts can be something that combines both. If you’re having trouble, I highly suggest looking into The School of Life (it’s an amazing YouTube channel, but they also have an online giftshop). So much of their stuff is a combination of thinking and feeling… Anyways, it’s sort of on the expensive side, but as an INFJ with an INFJ father, I personally think that they offer great gifts.
Hope that helps.
I am an Infj myself
Wish I could post this somewhere so the ones I care for can see it and understand!
Ha! I sent the link to my family and bestie. They say I am hard to shop for so I thought it would be a nice way to help make things more tangible.
Yes! Everything on this list would be a great gift.
As for the alone time: you probably mean a short stay in a beautiful place (surrounded by nature)?
(Not a gift card to be alone at your own house ;))
Something to add to this list: the book ‘The Wander Society’ and the book ‘In Pursuit Of Silence’.
I’m an ENFP but this list is basically perfect for me as well. The alone time is not something I want a ton of but sometimes it certainly is a gift!
Since I was in elementary school and whenever my birthday is coming, my family and some friends would ask what do I need. My response has always been “if you want to make me happy with a gift, then buy me a pen and a notebook”.
TOTALLY ON POINT! I (would) love to receive notebooks not because I keep a journal (it’s been a difficulty of mine to keep up with it) but I always had a fascination with notebooks and the feeling of writing on papers.
My favorite gift is “acts of service”. Go out of your way to do something special for me. Unexpectedly, clean the house, run an errand, make the coffee in the morning and bring me a cup. If it is store bought, I have no interest. Do something for me that allows me to have down time-that is the best gift.
This is perfect! I would LOVE alone time or a handwritten letter for gifts! I’ve actually seen a lot of your gift posts, and I was wondering if you could possibly continue them? With the holidays right around the corner, I’d love to see an idea of what I can get for my family and friends. Thanks!
This is perfect! I would LOVE alone time or a handwritten letter for gifts! I’ve actually seen a lot of your gift posts, and I was wondering if you could possibly continue them? With the holidays right around the corner, I’d love to see an idea of what I can get for my family and friends. Thanks!
Definitely. As an artist, I’ve used grandma’s “christmas money” to buy art supplies for a medium I haven’t tried. I get to spend time ALONE, picking it out and I get to spend time ALONE using it. Win win!!
AMEN!!!
I’m an INFJ, and these are spot on!! Especially the journal and pen part!
I liked the experience gift. A quiet walk through the woods, floating in a boat, reading poetry aloud, snuggling by fire under a blanket.
INFJ here and YES! No greeting cards withheld just a signature lol. At least add a handwritten heart or some oxox’s hehe. I’d like all of these gifts. And I MUCH prefer giving than receiving unless it is something with meaning behind it. I will eventually throw something away if it didn’t mean anything. And I find holidays super awkward in terms of the pressure TO give. I’d much rather give spontaneously when it feels right. Obligatory anything is a shut down.
True! I also like something old with a story. Were its from, who it used to belong to, in witch time it was used en why en why they picked this for me.
that is so relatable
Wow, this list is good. Someone close has an infj personality, and while I already realised some of this, it really clarified it and why. Thankyou!
Meaningful gift, letter, and handcraft are way to go. Though if you are a parent, anything that he want to receive would be the best.
Being an INFJ I’d be offended if someone gave me a letter or “alone time” for christmas/birthday. Presents that make my heart throb include a – well choosen – book, comfy clothing, cute items that match my current obession (tv show, travel, adventure, stories I am writing, etc). Most of all I love receiving something that shows the person knows me well. What means the most to me is when friends/family are able to find something I’d have never bought for myself but that they know I’d love. For example a massage at the spa, a beautiful Harry Potter Sweater, a handmade calendar with my favourite TV show characters or nature spots, handmade decor items, something funny that reminds me of good times and jokes shared, etc (yep sister if you read me, your presents are always on point :D)
I’m an INFJ and an experience is the first one for me. I also love journals and different coloured pens????. I have often struggled with understanding why I prefer giving gifts so much and I now understand.
Recently I’ve got a book as a gift from my friend. She wrote it, draw illustrations and published it as well – all by herself. I had no idea she’s such an artist until she (just btw) showed me her illustrations for her book. Guess what type she is 😉
Spot on!!
Thank you!!
I agree with someone in the comments, I too wouldn’t want an alone time as a gift (though some INFJs might prefer it if they’re a really busy person), but something that shows that they know me well. Like official or unofficial merch or DIYs of things I’m into like bands, shows, etc. INFJs tend to be nerdy haha. I also like gifts that are actual things that I won’t buy for myself, like make-up, shoes or shoes, jewelry (with a special meaning). Though clothes are a bit difficult bc it’s hard to find one that they would like. I say go for merch of things they like~
Dear Ms. Storm,
I enjoyed and appreciated your research. As an INFJ (“weirdo”) it’s always a pleasure to discover more about “myself”.
A suggestion I would put to you would be a similar article about the gifts that INFJs give; I wonder if there is any uniqueness in that, or just the intoxicating feelings when one goes on “quests” to find the perfect gifts.
Again, thank you for sharing your research.
That’s a great idea! Thank you! I will add it to my list 🙂
Firstly, I agree with “#2) a book”…but it should be about something i’m interested in…(like Jungian psychology, but i also appreciate: Sigmond Freud, Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Haidt, or another philosophical psychologist). Secondly, I noticed that one idea was missing from the list: i am a big fan of many types of music, so a CD of music is great. Even better is piano/guitar sheet music (of a wide variety of popular songs, such as “show tunes,” movie soundtracks, or “best romantic guitar songs of the 20th century”).
Oh, I love this list! I never really understood what I, as an INFJ, wanted because I had no wish for anyone to buy me anything. However, after reading this, I remember some of my favorite gifts were personal written stories, notes, letters, and drawings. Whether they were about me or them, I didn’t care because knowing they’d taken the time and energy to make something personal for me made me the happiest!