One of the things we celebrate at Bone + Marrow is how each individual uniquely shows up in the world. More often than not, we curate Enneagram gifts, personality gifts, and holiday gifts based on what makes us unique, but every now and then we like to highlight the real people behind the labels, or in the case, the Enneagram types.
Meet Donna Gallagher. This lady happens to be Amanda’s mom, and, in good-mom fashion, she’s learning the Enneagram to champion her daughter’s endeavors. Today, we’re excited to continue our series on Holiday Enneagram Traditions where we will explore how the Enneagram plays a role in the holidays.
May you be inspired to see, know, and celebrate PEOPLE this year alongside each of the holidays we celebrate.
Donna, tell us about your favorite holiday.
My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get to be around family. It’s important to me because I raised them; I want to see who they’re becoming. I want to be apart of their life.
So, what’s your favorite part of this season?
I like being around family at Christmas because we live all over the place. Most families all live next to each other, but we don’t. So, I like when we can get together and listen to each other. We have a tradition of asking reflective questions before each person opens a Christmas gift. It’s in this moment I get to hear my family’s dreams, and what they are hoping for. It makes us think of each other, and pray for each other.
As an Enneagram 1, what do you value or expect during the holidays?
I expect to be around family, and play with my grand-dollies. I just want my family to be kind to each other. My stress comes from when you do your best, and it’s not appreciated.
Tell us how knowing the Enneagram has affected or changed how you show up during the holidays.
As an Enneagram 1, I think I have a Norman Rockwell kind of picture about what a holiday should be and look like. That also never seems to get fulfilled. And really, it’s my picture, but not anyone else’s. It can be frustrating. I have to make a choice not to let other people’s experiences bother me.
Tell us about your favorite holiday tradition growing up, and why it was meaningful to you.
When I was growing up, Christmas is when you got to be around all the family. You had good food, you played games, you watched cartoons–people where happy and joyful. I didn’t get to see a lot of that growing up. Most of the other 360+ days of the year were hard. My fondest memories are when grandparents, and aunts and uncles would come for Christmas. We’d always have a party, all the kids got gifts, and you got to see everyone enjoying each other.
Now, this time of year is more special because my family is spread out all over the country. So, I love having an opportunity to come together, to laugh, share a meal, check-in on each other, and see the wonder of Christmas through little’s eyes.
Oh we love getting to know more about Donna and the holiday Enneagram traditions and expectations that go along with it.
Want to share your Holiday traditions with us? We’d love to feature your type and hear your story.
Make sure to shop Enneagram Holiday gifts in our marketplace.
