Books
There are many different holidays that human beings celebrate around midwinter. All of them have to do with light, food, family, and creating warmth in the midst of cold weather. And all of them, to some extent, have been eaten by Christmas. Christmas is huge. So huge, in fact, that there are shelves upon shelves of books about Christmas and all of the fanfare that surrounds it. If you're looking to ease your way into the holiday mood, you might as well start with the wintry book that best fits your style: here's which Christmas book you should read, based on your Myers-Briggs personality type.
If you haven't heard of Myers-Briggs before, hop on over and take the official MBTI assessment to determine the four letters that describe your personality. No one personality is better or worse than any of the others, but each personality type does have its own strengths or weaknesses. The four letters, I/E, N/S, F/T, and P/J help describe how you go about living in the world. Are you rigidly logical? Or more into feelings? Do you carefully consider all the facts, or do you usually just go with your gut? Once you've sorted that out, check out the Christmas book that best fits your Myers-Briggs persona, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy:
ISTJ: 'Christmas: A Candid History' by Bruce David Forbes
As a quiet, serious ISTJ, you're less interested in magical flying reindeer and more interested in the concrete history behind the holidays. Pick up Christmas: a Candid History for the fascinating story of how Christmas became the weird, huge celebration we know and love.
ISFJ: 'The Night Before Christmas' by Clement C. Moore
An ISFJ is steady and practical and friendly. You like tried and true traditions, especially when you can share them with the people you care about. So naturally, every year you want to bring out the classic poem, The Night Before Christmas, to read with family and friends.
INFJ: 'The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis
INFJs tend to have quiet, intensely held values. They're all about larger than life battles between good and evil. That's why The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the perfect Christmas book: a dramatic, high fantasy epic that ends with Father Christmas handing out weapons.
INTJ: 'Hercule Poirot’s Christmas' by Agatha Christie
INTJs are independent thinkers and natural born detectives. As a thoughtful INTJ, you always carry a project or a puzzle through to the end. Your ability to spot patterns comes in handy when reading mystery novels, like the classic holiday whodunit, Hercule Poirot’s Christmas.
ISTP: 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' by Dr. Seuss
I'm not saying that all ISTPs are Grinches. Far from it: ISTPs are great at jumping in to solve a problem when they're needed. But they can also be loners who aren't overly expressive... maybe take a cue from the Grinch and come down from your mountain every once in a while?
ISFP: 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' by Charles M. Schulz
Sweet, creative ISFP knows how to appreciate the moment at hand. You're definitely the type to hang a Christmas ornament on a sad little twig and call it a tree. A Charlie Brown Christmas collects the original Peanuts comics about Christmas, and they're perfect for your adorable, caring holiday vibe.
INFP: 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens
Idealistic INFP is all about tapping into the true meaning of Christmas. And also ghosts. You'll love A Christmas Carol, the all-time classic Christmas story of one miserly old man being terrified into acting nicer, because magic and kindness are what you're all about.
INTP: 'The Man Who Invented Christmas' by Les Standiford
...an INTP, on the other hand, will be far more interested in the historical side of A Christmas Carol. INTPs love to learn and analyze, and The Man Who Invented Christmas does an amazing job of analyzing the ways in which Dickens and Scrooge have shaped our modern conception of Christmas.
ESTP: 'The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming' by Lemony Snicket
As an ESTP, you're always on the move (and only sometimes screaming). Flexible and active ESTP will enjoy the ridiculous, surprisingly informative antics of The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming as he tours the various trappings of Christmas and Hanukkah.
ESFP: 'Holidays on Ice' by David Sedaris
ESFPs love to laugh. You're exuberant yet realistic, and you're always looking for a reason to share that new thing you've just read with everyone on your contacts list. Check out Holidays on Ice for a hilarious, loving-yet-satirical take on the holidays.
ENFP: 'The Polar Express' by Chris Van Allsburg
Imaginative and warm, ENFPs never quite lose the magic of childhood. Plus, you're always excited to take a trip, even if it is fictional. Hope on The Polar Express for a whirlwind journey to the North Pole in this beautifully illustrated childhood classic.
ENTP: 'In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash' by Jean Shepherd
In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash is a memoir of Jean Shepherd's boyhood, including two chapters that eventually became the film A Christmas Story. Clever, outspoken ENTPs will inevitably fall for Shepherd's signature wit and humor, even in the less Christmas-y chapters.
ESTJ: 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' by Dylan Thomas
ESTJs are decisive and matter-of-fact, but even they can't withstand the charms of A Child's Christmas in Wales. As a big fan of structure and tradition, ESTJs will begrudgingly love this poem about the beautiful simplicity of Christmas as a child (even if you're not Welsh).
ESFJ: 'My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories' edited by Stephanie Perkins
ESFJs love cooperation and harmony. They'd always rather be working towards a common goal. So what better book for an ESFJ than a collection of short stories about the holidays? The sense of community and love will warm your ESFJ heart, even in the dead of winter.
ENFJ: 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry
ENFJs are sometimes called the "Givers." Out of all of the types, they're the most notable for their generosity and empathy. So naturally, every ENFJ should read this upsetting story about giving your loved ones useless gifts for Christmas (don't worry, it has a happy ending).
ENTJ: 'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Andersen
If ENTJs could get out there and physically conquer Christmas, they would. As an ENTJ, you like to be in charge, making decisions, assuming leadership. You might even be able to empathize ever so slightly with the terrifying, fierce Snow Queen of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale (except hopefully you don't kidnap children).
