In many places around the world this time of year, people take their ordinary, everyday homes and, by adding some lights and glitter, turn them into palaces of holiday cheer. The world looks a little different for about a month. And after the year 2020, most people could use a break from the ordinary as we wait for a much better 2021.
As with most things, different personality types are going to spin decorating for the holidays in their unique ways. Getting some types to talk about holiday flourishes may be a daunting task. But let’s assume that all 16 personalities are forthcoming with their decorating philosophies.
What might each personality type say about their Christmas decorations? Let’s hear it in their own words.
Analyst Personality Types
“The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!”
Architect (INTJ) – “This isn’t exactly my thing. But I searched the Internet, checked out what people put up for decorations around town, deconstructed it all, and voilà. Holiday decorations that cover all the bases and will probably suit everyone. I think I made it work.”
Logician (INTP) – “At first, I thought, why waste my time decorating when there are more interesting things to do? You know – there’s a whole month of this. Then I thought, what the heck. What can it hurt? So, behold my tree. It’s not much, but it’s sincere, sort of. What do you mean, ‘It’s like Charlie Brown’s’?”
Commander (ENTJ) – Decorating makes sense. It’s a way to stay socially relevant. So I bought a few things that I thought looked festive. Believe me, I didn’t spend much time on it. I don’t know if any of these fit together, but I think I did a good job.”
Debater (ENTP) – “You know, many of the holidays are based on pagan beliefs and rituals. So I thought I’d go original. Happy winter solstice. Mostly, my decorations consist of the firepit in the backyard and a lot of greenery hung overhead. Shall we make a circle and chant? Refer to the paper I gave you on your way in.”
Diplomat Personality Types
“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
Advocate (INFJ) – “All the flash and noise around the holiday has stolen its meaning. So I’m going simple and giving it my own meaning. None of the outdoor decorations are lit. Light pollution is ruining our beautiful night skies and disorienting some animals. My tree? Did you know that you can rent a Christmas tree that can be sent back, replanted, and used again next year? Have an ecologically sustainable holiday!”
Mediator (INFP) – “All I wanted was to create a warm and comfortable holiday for my family and friends. But there are so many decorating options, so I went simple. I bought a special selection of Christmas blankets to drape all over the place, gathered different kinds of hot cocoa, and baked and decorated a lot of cookies. I have candles everywhere. Anyone know anything about hygge?”
Protagonist (ENFJ) – “I brought all my friends together – especially those without family nearby – and asked them to bring a homemade decoration. It became a community event. I made a list of what I was looking for and the color scheme – just to be on the safe side. The theme was celebrating the holiday using nature.”
Campaigner (ENFP) – “I was so excited to get started with Christmas this year. I wanted to make this year’s decorations about ‘us’ not ‘me.’ But everybody had so many different ideas. It was a little overwhelming, and I had trouble deciding. And before you know it, it was Christmas Eve, and I had very few decorations up. So I put up all the old decorations I could find in the attic before the guests arrived.”
Sentinel Personality Types
“Christmas is a box of tree ornaments that have become part of the family.”
Logistician (ISTJ) – “As frivolous as it can be, I decided that the house would look strange without some acknowledgment of the holiday. So I looked for something that I could reuse every year. I didn’t want anything too outlandish. I stuck with the traditional.”
Defender (ISFJ) – “I love the holidays. I want to make the house look amazing to get everyone in the right mood. See how everything matches? They probably won’t even notice the effort. That’s all right. I don’t do it for the recognition.”
Executive (ESTJ) – “Of course I decorate. It’s important to have holidays that remind us of our values. I don’t go too extreme. You know, the traditional things. When it’s time to decorate the tree, everybody has their job. There’s someone on lights, someone on the garland, someone on ornaments, and someone on tinsel. It goes like clockwork. It’s a warm family activity.”
Consul (ESFJ) – “Oh, yeah. I started finding and gathering just the right decorations, maybe two and a half months ago. Every piece of it went up the day after Thanksgiving. If you wait until the last minute, it will look like it, and everyone will be disappointed. Have a cookie. I bake them almost every day during the holidays.”
Explorer Personality Types
“I don’t want Christmas season to end, because it’s the only time I can legitimately indulge in one particular addiction: glitter.”
Virtuoso (ISTP) – “I decorate with a sense of irony. Who wants the same stale chemical snow sprayed on windows and colored lights on the trees? Instead, we celebrate with neon-colored snow cones, and I’ve figured out how to make the smart lights in my house strobe red and green. If it’s been done before, I won’t do it.”
Adventurer (ISFP) – “Okay. So nothing matches. But tell me it doesn’t go together anyway. Please step back and tell me it isn’t incredible. I picked each piece because I felt like it belonged in this house. Can’t you feel it?”
Entrepreneur (ESTP) – “You think the lights are too bright? Maybe we can take it up a notch or two. What? The only bad attention is no attention. I want people to know we’re really into the season. The brighter, the better. It pays to advertise, even if it’s just advertising our holiday spirit.”
Entertainer (ESFP) – “I’m betting that the crew aboard the International Space Station is enjoying our decorations tonight. We did go all out, but it’s always worth seeing how excited people get over our holiday decor. Do you think we went overboard? No such thing, right? But maybe the live reindeer on the front lawn is a little much?”
Happy Holidays
Whatever your decorating style, may it bring you joy. We wish you the best of holidays, regardless of which (and when) you choose to celebrate.
Further Reading
- For more holiday spirit, check out our tongue-in-cheek look at how 16 personality types might mess up holiday gift-giving or attempt a team-based approach to a holiday dinner.
- Not really feeling the holidays this year? You might relate to this article: “16 Christmas Gripes and the Personality Types Who Agree with Me.”
- Like so many people around the world, you may be staying home and celebrating the holidays differently this year, with fewer people or even by yourself. Our tips on being stuck at home with the people you love and surviving social isolation for your personality type might help.
- If you’ve got extra time on your hands this holiday season, why not check out your Premium Profile – a full-length e-book that will help you understand how your personality type influences your relationships, academic and professional paths, personal growth, and much more.