Which Classic Christmas Character Are You, Based on Your Personality Type?

It’s the holiday season, which means while you’re busy checking items off your gift list, sipping seasonal favorites, and getting into the holiday spirit, you can also discover which classic Christmas character you are. Whether you’re as jovial as Santa Claus or as grumpy as the Grinch, you share your preferences with a classic character from a seasonal favorite.

Any fictional character’s personality type is up for debate, but you should find these connections uncanny. So, without further ado, here’s your Christmas doppelganger.  

INFP: Cindy Lou Who (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

Quiet, reserved, and caring, Cindy Lou Who is an unassuming character with a lot of heart. Sweet Cindy’s interaction with the Grinch varies, but her desire to help the cold-hearted Grinch see that he’s better than his past behavior makes her a typical INFP “Healer,” who is strong, encouraging, and entirely non judgemental. 

INFJ: Mrs. Jessica Claus (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)

The character of Jessica in the 1970 stop motion animated film ends up marrying Kris Kringle, but when she first meets him she’s full of ideals for herself, the town, and the children she educates. She’s caring, quiet, and soft spoken, but she’s got a world of ideas she wants to implement. After a bit of coaxing from Kris, she blooms into a strong and independent person who takes care of her loved ones and pursues a better world through kindness, like the idealistic INFJ.

ENFJ: Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas) 

It’s up for debate whether Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween tale or a Christmas movie, but Sally Finklestein is an excellent example of an ENFJ. Although most might peg her for an Introvert, she’s a go-getting, energetic type that seeks to teach others around them by revealing their deepest potential and intuiting their needs. 

ENFP: Buddy The Elf (Elf) 

Buddy the Elf is one of Santa’s most enthusiastic creators, and he’s also one of the most humorous. His ENFP nature makes him a compassionate and warm person to have as a friend or family member, and his zest for life is as contagious as his imagination.

INTJ: The Grinch (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

The Grinch is introverted and uncomfortable with the inner workings of people, but he’s ingenious when it comes to formulating plans and seeing them through. His take-over of Christmas demonstrates his INTJ “Mastermind” spirit, and although he’s closed off to connecting with the people of Whoville, he soon learns relationships are far more rewarding than being totally alone.

ENTJ: Walter Hobbs (ELF)

The counterpart to Buddy’s wide-eyed joy is his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who spends his time tending to his professional career and maintaining a stoic business sense, even when it comes to his personal relationships. However, like most ENTJs, he would do anything for his family and can learn a lesson or two about taking time to appreciate the side of life outside of the office.

ENTP: George Bailey (It’s A Wonderful Life)

The Frank Capra film classic from 1947 is still as full of holiday spirit as it ever was, and George Bailey is an outgoing, innovative, and explorational type (an ENTP) that is both inspiring and relatable for many. Although he doesn’t become a world traveler as he plans, he still finds a way to use his creativity to cultivate a place of his own in Bedford Falls and learns the value of living to enjoy life, above all.

INTP: Kevin McCallister (Home Alone)

Although Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister is a kid in the film franchise, his ingenuity and intense planning make him on track to become a full-fledged INTP. His natural curiosity and tactical genius in plotting out plans like an Architect makes it easy to see how his ingenuity will carry over into his adult life.  

ESFJ: Scott Calvin (The Santa Clause) 

Although Scott Calvin’s character first appears as a sarcastic, embittered man who doesn’t prioritize others above himself, he ends up fitting the bill of an ESFJ type when he discovers that he needs to take over the role of Santa Claus. Once he puts on the suit, viewers see his transformation into a man whose primary concern is others’ feelings and needs.

ESFP: Frosty (Frosty The Snowman)

Frosty is a jovial, gentle ESFP character who prefers to be spontaneous about where life takes him, all with a joyful tune as he goes along. He puts more importance on feeling and caring for others and intuiting their needs than noticing imminent danger or judging the world around him and prefers to stay open and positive than to worry about the negatives of life. 

ISFJ: Bob Cratchit (A Christmas Carol)

The quiet, dutiful clerk who toils under the nose of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ classic novella A Christmas Carol, Bob Cratchit is a man who respects the set structures of society and cares first and foremost for his loved ones. As an ISFJ, he’s no stranger to displaying his emotions and love for his family. He also has a logical, balanced mindset when it comes to working for Scrooge, even under the worst of conditions. 

ISFP: Sam The Snowman (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer) 

Sam The Snowman opens the show of Rudolph with his gentle narration and hand-crafted songs, and his warm, kind, and unassuming qualities make him a model ISFP. He’s not afraid to share his composed works with the world, or to tell a tale, because of his eagerness to share in life’s experiences.

ESTJ: Clark Griswold (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation) 

As an ESTJ, Clark Griswold works hard to juggle each task to make sure his holiday season is perfect, and goes about finishing his tasks systematically (even though they often go wrong). He strives to stay organized, uphold traditions, and make his family happy, all while maintaining his place in the world. 

ESTP: John McClaine (Diehard)

Whether you consider the 1988 action movie Die Hard to be a Christmas story at all, a lot of viewers do, and that’s why the “Dynamo” ESTP is none other than John McClain. McClain is a thrill-seeker by nature, with a wry sense of humor, and a nonchalant attitude that conveys a “devil may care” sense of self. However, despite his surface-value attitude, he does well serving as a knight in shining armor, going through arduous trials to reunite himself with the woman he loves. 

ISTJ: Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)

Ebenezer Scrooge might be a dutiful worker, but he’s also got a soft heart buried underneath his unyielding work ethic. Because he’s focused on maintaining his place in society and prizes older institutions above change, his ISTJ traits shine through. 

ISTP: The Conductor (The Polar Express)

The 2004 animated movie featured an ISTP at the helm of the magical train who is intelligent, logical, and attuned to the world around him. The conductor was all parts mysterious and spontaneous in a magical sense, despite his anxious facade of structure as he commanded a train to Santa’s North Pole. 

Summing it up  

Christmas tales are full of colorful characters that reflect the whole spectrum of the 16-type system. Once you know your type, you should be able to recognize when characters are a lot like you and spot them regularly. Cheers to a Happy Holidays!