Gift giving — many of us think of it as one of the greatest joys in life while others consider the act to be one of life’s greatest challenges.
The unique thing about gift-giving is that no matter who you are or how great you are at picking presents, the process can turn out to be sort of a double-edged sword. In other words, gift-giving can absolutely be something you love to do — but that doesn’t mean it can’t get tricky.
The ultimate tip for picking out the right present for a loved one, friend, colleague, partner, and beyond? Think about who they are. Someone’s personality and overall essence can be directly influenced by a lot of things — their hobbies, their careers, their values. But it can also be influenced by other crucial determiners.
One of them? Zodiac signs.
What are zodiac signs and what do they tell us about?
Zodiac signs — otherwise known as sun signs — are the 12 sectors of the ecliptic, the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun. There are 12 zodiac signs that exist and can be pinpointed based on analyzing the projection of the position of the sun, moon, and planets at the moment of a specific person’s birth. All 12 signs belong to one of the four elements that exist: air, water, fire, and earth.
Though astrology and zodiac signs aren’t scientific determinants for someone’s personality, a lot of people believe that astrology and zodiac signs can help us all get a clearer picture of a person, what’s important to them, and what fits their personality.
The best zodiac sign birthday gift recommendations
Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)
Your air sign Aquarius is rational, communicative, social, and quite the smart cookie. Always a bit analytical, an Aquarius enjoys sentimentality so long as it's balanced with a bit of social interaction.
Consider getting your Aquarius loved one a good book that's been on their list for a while or a well-thought-out and well-planned surprise party with a few of their closest buddies.
Pisces (February 19 – March 21)
As a water sign, Pisces is typically an artistic dreamer with a wild, exciting, and spiritual or creative flair. They're typically absorbed in their thoughts and spend much of their time with their heads above the clouds. Because they're another sentimental sign, they're at their happiest when their loved ones are showing them how well they know them and how much they care for them.
Consider gifting your Pisces a ticket to their favorite artist in concert, a collection of songs that remind you of them, a family photo from a treasured moment, or anything water-related (a trip to the ocean or a picnic by their favorite lake, for example). And, of course, a Pisces wish bracelet could make their dreams come true.
Aries (March 21 – April 20)
Our Aries friends are fire signs who love to be the life of the party. If there's a way for them to be the center of attention, they'll find it. Bold, ambitious, and fearless in many ways, Aries are ready to dive headfirst into almost any challenging situation. With this in mind, it makes sense that their zodiac symbol is a ram.
If you've got an Aries pal, the perfect zodiac sign gift is a getaway trip that gives them the chance to have an adventure, throwing them a large-and-in-charge birthday party where they get to be at the center of the hubbub or buying them a gorgeous piece of jewelry that they can show off to the world.
Taurus (April 20 – May 21)
This earth sign is all about relaxation and serenity. Taurus signs love soothing smells, succulent flavors, and any type of environment that allows them the chance to melt into themselves and what they love to do. If you have a Taurus in your life, remember that they're highly affected by tastes and smells, so keep this in mind as you hunt for the perfect gift.
A low-stress cooking class that shows them how to make their favorite meal, a lovely and fragrant bouquet of flowers, or a delicious treat to tickle their Taurus taste buds are all excellent gifts.
Gemini (May 21 – June 21)
Geminis are air signs who are adaptive, outgoing, intelligent, and on occasion, sort of impulsive. Most Geminis are pretty curious, too, so they love to bend their brains and think hard when the situation calls for it.
Our suggestion for your Gemini's zodiac sign gift? Because they're naturally brainy, try gifting them something like puzzles, books, travel accessories, or even brain teasers.
Cancer (June 21 – July 23)
Intuitive and gracious, Cancers are water signs who have a hankering for being loved on, cared for, and pampered. As one of the more sentimental signs, Cancers are typically domestic, gentle, intelligent, and even-tempered. Cancers are bound to appreciate gifts that are less flashy and more substantial — but as long as it's sentimental, you're probably in the clear.
Try ideas like a spa day, a gift card to their favorite stylist, or a homemade gift that screams sentimentality, like their favorite flowers or a special, framed photo.
Leo (July 23 – August 23)
Vivacious and theatrical, this fire sign loves to bask in the spotlight. You can count on the Leo in your life to be a passionate and animated person who won't shy away from a little extra attention. When it comes to Leos, they love to flash and fanfare, so no matter what you plan for your Leo, be sure the overall presentation is over-the-top.
Your Leo is sure to love fine jewelry that will turn heads, a flashy bouquet of flowers (delivered in a public setting, of course), a night on the town to celebrate, or tickets to their favorite form of entertainment (a sport's game, a movie, a play, etc.).
Virgo (August 23 – September 23)
The Virgo in your life is practical, systematic, and logistical. It's even highly possible that they're the friend or loved one that you jokingly call a perfectionist. This earth sign tends to be very rooted in reality and pragmatic, so they'll appreciate a gift that reflects those characteristics.
Don't get something unnecessary or impractical for a Virgo — instead, try something they need, like a coffee gift basket, bar tools, accessories that make their daily lives easier, homemade gifts, a blanket, and things that help keep them organized like removable shelves or briefcases.
Libra (September 23 – October 23)
Libras tend to be passionate, mysterious, and on a constant quest to seek balance and harmony in their lives. Because Libras are air signs, they tend to be a bit gentler.
Gift your Libra a collection of music filled with their favorite artists, gourmet goodies, delicious coffee, wines, or home décor — just make sure you abide by the rule of balance for your Libra friends.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
Scorpios are water signs that can't get enough of intrigue and mystery. Most Scorpios are guaranteed to be passionate, powerful, and incredibly curious. Because they're suckers for sentimentality, it's likely any gift that combines a little intrigue with a lot of compassion is going to be a home run.
Your Scorpio loved one is bound to get a kick out of a stellar mystery novel from an author they love, a thriller movie marathon day, decadent treats, brain-stumping puzzles, and even a trip to your local escape room for an exciting and special experience.
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
This sign is on a constant quest for knowledge, adventure, and thrills. The Sagittarius in your life probably loves surprises, spontaneity, and throwing the rule book to the wind now and again. With that description, it's probably no surprise that Sagittarius is a fire sign — right?
Think about gifting Sagittarius a trip to an exotic, exciting location they've never been before, a travel accessory that they'll use on adventures, or even a new journal to document all the beautiful things they see on their adventures. And, these adventurers love low-maintenance plants since they are always on the go.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Another earth sign that craves a little practicality is, Capricorns are simple, intentional, logical, and heavily invested in quality time with the people they care the most about. Another interesting thing about Capricorns is that they crave physical comfort alongside quality time, so it's crucial to offer a balance of both to the Capricorn in your life.
Try gifting your loved one the ultimate, at-home birthday experience (whatever that looks like for them), a cozy blanket, a sentimental and personalized gift, or even a delicious treat that was created just for them. Acts of service also go a long way with Capricorns, so don't underestimate how excellent something as simple as cleaning their house could be.
An astrologer’s input – Venus in the signs
Professional astrologer and author Moon Zlotnick says that while a zodiac sign can give insight into who a person is, it’s only a small part of the information that’s available about a person, so it’s pertinent to not make assumptions based on just this information.
“The sun signs in astrology can sometimes become an easy way to pigeonhole someone because we’re clumping these huge numbers of people who share a birth month and then we’re making generalizations,” Moon says. “As a practicing professional, there is definitely some legitimacy in that sign, but you’d also be in a better position if you know what sign their Venus is in, not just the zodiac sign.” In other words, a person’s Venus sign represents what they love and value, so it might be helpful to figure out what their Venus sign is, too.
Now that you know which birthday gifts to get based on someone's zodiac sign, see which flower your zodiac sign represents!
More astrological inspiration
For more birthday gifting inspiration, check out our other zodiac gift guides:
AUTHOR
Beginning her writing career as a print journalist, Hanna Marcus worked as a beat reporter and general assignment reporter in newsrooms throughout Florida including The Tampa Bay Times, The Orlando Sentinel, The Naples Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun. Now a full-time freelance writer, she writes for clients such as Hot Topic, New Balance, BoxLunch, and others.