If you’re stumped on what to give a loved one this year, may I suggest taking the astrological route? Shopping by the stars might not be foolproof, but it can give you a head start. And while there isn’t anything strictly wrong with zodiac-sign merch, it’s a little lazy. Which is why you won’t find any of it on this list. Instead, I interviewed eight astrologers on what each sign tends to be drawn to, then handpicked a list of gifts tailored specifically to each sign, some of which were chosen by the astrologers themselves and some of which were culled from the Strategist archive. For more gift ideas, see our huge list of holiday gift guides.
Aries
Since Aries is ruled by the planet Mars, they like to be physically and mentally active, says astrologer Kim Allen, who recommends fitness-focused gifts. Astrologer Sonja Francis agrees: “Passionate and energetic, Aries individuals would appreciate gifts that encourage physical activity, such as workout equipment or a bicycle.”
Taurus
Some of the words used by the astrologers to describe a Taurus’s taste were “luxury,” “comfort,” “elegant,” and “lavish.” Ruled by the planet Venus, “Taureans appreciate practical and beautiful items that delight the senses — such as a soft pashmina, fine wine, gorgeous flowers, and delicious food,” says Francis. And yes, Taurus is the sign most known for being a food lover, but if you decide to go the food-themed route, make sure the item is still luxe, so the gift feels special and not so obvious.
Gemini
The astrologers I spoke to noted that Geminis can be a tricky sign to shop for since they are easily bored. The curious twins are a sign ruled by communication and mental stimulation. Annabel Gat, the author of The Moon Sign Guide who also writes weekly horoscopes on Substack, notes that Geminis often love to read and write, so she suggests gifting accessories like pens and notebooks. Astrologer Katie Sweetman agrees, noting that “they are also in the midst of a major chapter in their career, which translates as gifts that support professional goals and achievement.”
Cancer
“Cancer is considered the homebody of the zodiac; even the more well-traveled and adventurous crabs need a safe space to retreat to as a respite away from the rest of the world,” says astrologer Danielle Arias, so buying gifts for the home will be appreciated. “With a rare Mars retrograde occurring in Cancer, the Cancers in your life are craving comfort and warmth at this time,” adds astrologer Rose Theodora.
Leo
According to Francis, “Leo people love anything fun that allows them to express themselves and helps them shine,” so they are often drawn to luxury products. And while it may seem obvious to gift gold for the sun-ruled sign, Gat says it isn’t just about being flashy. “Leos are secretly very mushy, and since jewelry is so sentimental, it’s a great bet.” She recommends the tarot-card charm below from Montreal-based designer Sofia Zakia.
Virgo
The two words to best describe a Virgo’s ideal gift are thoughtful and practical. According to Allen, “They value how they spend their time, enjoy efficiency, and love any item that helps achieve these goals.” They will appreciate gifts that make their life easier, improve their daily health or work routines, or drive order and neatness, adds Francis, who lists well-made kitchen equipment, a desk organizer, or a journal as good options. “Something in the health department, like herbal teas or remedies, might also hit the spot.” But remember, the humble Virgo will probably like whatever gifts you choose, “as long as they’re high quality,” warns astrologer and author Lisa Stardust.
Libra
“Since Libras are the artists and lovers of the zodiac, they’ll appreciate gifts that highlight their airy Venusian sentiments,” says Stardust. “My mother, an artist and a Libran, never left home without her tiny portable Winsor and Newton watercolor set,” says astrologer and host of the podcast Astrology Talk with Christina & Sally Christina Rodenbeck. She recommends this updated version made of recycled plastic, “but is still top quality — and a delightful object in itself.” Libras are also great lovers of beauty, says Theodora, so look for gifts that help them beautify their home or body. “Libra is also going through a period in which they need to focus on health, which translates as gifts that promote wellness as well as organization — with beautiful packaging, of course,” adds Sweetman. She recommends the bath set included below.
Scorpio
If you’re shopping for a Scorpio you’re in a relationship with, they are looking for something “emotionally meaningful and profound,” says Francis. “This could be an intense-looking card with words of devotion or something sexy for the bedroom.” Gat has her eye on a “smoky and spicy” scent for her Scorpio friend. “Scorpios are passionate and artistic, so something romantic and emotionally stirring like perfume is a great gift for them,” she says. Stardust also told me that perfume is a great idea for the passionate sign.
Sagittarius
“Sagittarius is the zodiac’s resident globe-trotter, always on the go and exploring new places,” says Arias, who recommends choosing travel-centric gifts they can bring along on their next trip. Whether that’s an on-the-go coffee press for their next cross-country road trip or airplane accessories for their last-minute surfing trip to Australia.
Capricorn
“Capricorns can be hard to please, since they believe their taste is probably better than yours,” says Rodenbeck. But if you are trying to make them happy, they like something practical, high-end, and good for business — and they’re known to go for “status” symbols, says Francis. “They will always appreciate a nice, expensive pen that writes like butter, a watch with an inscription showing how much you appreciate them for how hard they work, or a nice-looking notebook.”
Aquarius
When gifting an Aquarius, just get weird with it. “Unconventional, rebellious, and eccentric, finding the perfect gift for this aloof air sign may be quite challenging,” warns Arias. Many of the astrologers I spoke with mentioned that Aquarius is the sign most associated with innovation. They’re usually the friend who can spot a trend first, or the one who doesn’t care about trends at all. “Aquarians are unlikely to care if you spent a fortune on their gift — as long as it’s amusing, and maybe just a little strange or sparkly,” says Rodenbeck, who recommended the Schiaparelli earrings below. Look for things that are “creative but off-kilter, perhaps even a little shocking, like a once-in-a-lifetime hat,” adds Francis. If that’s a little too challenging, Aquarius, coincidentally, is the sign most likely to be interested in astrology, she notes, so a gift certificate for a birth-chart reading or a book about astrology would also be well-received.
Pisces
Intuitive, emotional, and sentimental, “Pisces is in the middle of a time of major milestones and could benefit from gifts that soothe and comfort,” says Sweetman, like soaking salts for long, restorative baths. “Pisces is a sign that is often known for helping others and being sensitive to outside stress and stimuli, so look for self-care items that help them relax,” says Arias.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.