Gift Giving Made Easy Through Strengths

Ah, to be someone strong in Individualization. For them, gifting is an effortless (and fun) activity. They’re naturally good at it, are always thoughtful and creative in their choices, and look forward to the holidays as a time to enjoy not only the act of gift-giving, but of gift-selecting.

For the rest of us mere mortals whose gift game might not be as on point, birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries can be a major source of stress. If you find yourself scratching your head, struggling to come up with good gift ideas, here is a Strengths-inspired list to help you match the right gift with the right person.

Achiever: Achievers are productivity nuts, and gravitate towards anything that will help them get organized and on track to crush their goals. A bullet journal system is an analog way to jumpstart Achievers’ achievement.

Activator: People who have Activator in their top five like to take action, and want to jump right in. Gift them a subscription to virtual dance classes like Steezy or a baking class through Masterclass.

Adaptability: Those who are strong in Adaptability are super spontaneous and always on the go. Gifts that can support their spur-of-the-moment mindset can be great, like this lightweight portable phone charger or a luxurious (but functional) Dagne Dover backpack.

Analytical: For the Analytical person in your life, pretty much any book by Malcom Gladwell will likely be a hit. They like logical arguments that expose the root of an issue or problem. Gladwell’s audiobook, Talking to Strangers (narrated by the author) is an excellent choice!

Arranger: Arrangers love trying different sequences and combos, so puzzles will always be a great gift. In recent years the jigsaw puzzle has made a comeback, so there’s no shortage of options for beautiful, challenging puzzles, from Friends-themed to this intricate Night Sky.

Belief: If you have a reason to give a gift to someone strong in Belief, you’re probably well aware of their values (and how important they are!) Make a donation to a cause they treasure, or buy a gift that makes a difference like cozy Bombas socks.

Command: Natural leaders, those who are high in Command also love learning from other leaders. The book The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency by John Dickerson is a fascinating look at the challenges of being at the highest level of command.

Communication: People strong in Communication are at their best when they’re sharing their ideas. They might enjoy this Deeper Talk Deck to spark conversation.

Competition: Those with Competition are always on the lookout for opportunities to WIN! Get them a game they can play with a group, and vie for the top spot. You can’t go wrong with Codenames or Settlers of Catan.

Connectedness: Anyone strong in Connectedness believes that we’re all part of a bigger picture. They may enjoy meditation, and a subscription to Headspace can help them build up their meditation practice.

Consistency: People with the Consistency talent are devoted to fairness in all things, including how we treat each other. The book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson is a fascinating look at American inequities.

Context: These are the real history buffs! They love learning about the past and also family history and genealogy. A family crest or emblem would make the perfect gift, or even an Ancestry DNA kit!

Deliberative: Deliberative folks like to take their time in making decisions, in thinking things through, and before taking any action. They might enjoy items that will help make their thinking sessions more comfy and cozy, be it a bonfire scented candle or a plush blanket.

Developer: Developers like to help other people grow. Depending on your relationship to the Developer, you could get them something like a World’s Best Boss mug or, instead of giving them a gift, give them unique ideas for how they can help others, like signing up to mentor job-seekers via 1000 Hires.

Discipline: Structure and routine are the anchors that let those high in Discipline thrive! They prefer tidy, organized spaces and anything that can help them keep their lives in order. Gift ideas could include a subscription to this eco-friendly cleaner kit or this weekly planning whiteboard.

Empathy: People strong in Empathy are always taking care of others. Get them something that will facilitate relaxation or allow them to refill their cups, like these amazing aromatherapy ritual boxes. Or you could make it easy for them to indulge themselves by giving them gift cards to their favorite coffee store or shops.

Focus: Anyone with Focus high up on their strengths list is naturally good at tuning out distractions and getting to the task at hand. But they’ll appreciate anything that can help! A pair of over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones will be right up their alley.

Futuristic: The Futuristic talent is all about looking into the future and imagining what might come to pass. If they’re into fiction, a novel like Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot is a classic. Otherwise you could go for a cool, futuristic gadget like this temperature controlled travel mug.

Harmony: Things that inspire peaceful moments will be a balm to those with Harmony in their top five. You can’t go wrong with a gift like a diffuser or a wild bird feeder.

Ideation: Ideas light up people strong in Ideation. Anything that promotes brainstorming and creative thinking will be ideal gifts, like this creativity journal.

Includer: Includers want everyone to feel like they’re a part of the group, and will welcome gifts that embody that value. Consider buying from small businesses that are making a difference, like Black Garnet Books.

Individualization: There are two great options here: 1.) any gift that’s personalized to this person, like a Zodiac Necklace or 2.) something that will help them learn more about themselves and others, like a CliftonStrengths book and assessment, or time with a CliftonStrengths coach.

Input: People with Input in their top five are information collectors! Give them something to spice up their bookshelves or a beautiful file organization tool.  

Intellection: Deep thinkers, people with Intellection enjoy things that feed into this desire to spend time in their heads with their thoughts. A retreat for them to get away from the buzz and out into quiet would likely be well-received, as would a beautiful journal for them to capture their thoughts in.

Learner: Learners are all about learning new things! A full access pass to Masterclass will give them the freedom to learn to their heart’s content.

Maximizer: Maximizers take something that’s just so-so and make it awesome. They’ll also like seeing how other people have done the same. The book Good to Great by Jim Collins would be a great choice for the Maximizer in your life.

Positivity: People with Positivity are all about the sunnier side of life. The Five-Minute Journal is a simple, impactful way to shed some gratitude and sunshine into every day.

Relator: Relators are relationship-centric, and will prefer a sincere, thoughtful letter or card over a tangible gift any day. Thoughtful gifts will go far with them, like a framed picture of the two of you, or a meaningful memento.

Responsibility: Those that have Responsibility high up on their list of strengths are always extremely reliable, and hardly ever let any ball drop. Though they like being on top of things, taking something off their plate will be very welcome. Consider a gift card to a cleaning service or an IOU to help them with a task or chore.

Restorative: “Always room for improvement,” runs through the mind of people with Restorative. A book like Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris will give them all sorts of ideas for how they might improve problems or overcome challenges in their own lives. 

Self-assurance: People with self-assurance are confident, charismatic folks who wear that confidence on their sleeves. They don’t mind showing that self-assurance to the world, and might enjoy gifts like this “Took My Own Advice” pin or “Ok, Let’s Do This” mug.

Significance: A desire to effect positive change in the world powers those high in Significance. Give them a gift that’s specific to their cause or calling, or consider a motivational print.  

Strategic: If you know someone with Strategic in their top five, you’ll know how they’re remarkably good at seeing things from a 50,000 ft level and spotting patterns. A gift idea for them is a Business Strategy and Leadership Masterclass taught by Bob Iger, former CEO of Disney. 

Woo: The Woo talent is about winning others over, and people high in Woo are brilliant at making connections with new people quickly. Membership to an online community or classes will give them opportunities to flex their Woo strength.