Sex toys, boudoir photoshoots and other erotic holiday gift ideas

Advice for gift-giving tends to emphasize two ideas. First, it is essential to follow the desires of the recipient and not the gift-giver, a common mistake. Secondly, the present should be something the recipient would never buy for themselves, considering it unnecessary or irrational. For that reason, a good gift is always somewhat frivolous, unlike the practicalities often gifted by mothers or in-laws: a cellphone case, a pumice stone or a bed warmer.

Unlike an act of charity, a good gift should not remain anonymous. The recipient should remember the giver along with the object that they carefully sought out. And when the package is opened, in the presence of friends or family, the perfect gift should inspire a wave of excitement and approval, inspiring others to select their presents with care.

Gifting love and lust this holiday season could be a marvelous idea. Sex is a basic instinct that almost everyone shares. We can always learn more about it, even as our apocalyptic world threatens our desire. The following gift ideas are sure to be remembered for generations. No one will forget your aunt’s face when she rips the wrapping paper from her Satisfyer.

Sex toys for all

There’s no doubt that sex toys can be very useful during the cold winter nights, alone or with company.

For her: The Lelo Enigma Cruise promises “one blended orgasm after the other, evolving to a new level of sexual wellness.” This toy provides simultaneous internal and external stimulation, taking care of both the clitoris and the G-spot, the two epicenters for female pleasure. All that’s missing is for it to also massage the nipples.

For him: F1s V2 by Lelo. Men have arrived late to the world of sex toys, partially because portable vaginas have always had a more complicated design than phallic forms. This “masculine pleasure console” is designed to produce intense orgasms, controlled via an application so that its users can develop their own pleasure programs.

For him and her: Fun Factory’s NOS. The catalog of toys for two is extensive. They’re usually complicated to use, and it is usually preferable to opt for devices that are efficient and easy to use. This vibrating ring stimulates both the base of the penis and the clitoris at the same time.

Photograph your erotic side

Boudoir photography is all about bringing out the subject’s sensual side. The word, which means bedroom in French, refers to the private rooms where women of the aristocracy got dressed, rested or chatted. The Marquis de Sade revealed the sensual nature of the space, where men could only enter by invitation, in his book Philosophy in the Bedroom. Romance-era painters often depicted women in these rooms.

A boudoir photo is not just an erotic gift for someone else, but also for one’s self. Undressing for the camera, in more or less explicit poses, can reinforce self-esteem, confidence and libido. There is also the option to have a couple’s photoshoot, but the images could be uncomfortable if the relationship ends.

Reading material to stimulate the mind

Literary classics never fail. Authors like Boccaccio, Guy de Maupassant, Balzac, Sade and D.H. Lawrence are a sure bet.

Comics are also an excellent option, as they combine narrative with images to keep readers warm on winter nights. One option is R. Crumb’s Sex Obsessions (Taschen, 2007). The 1970s comic icon reveals his erotic side in an irreverent, politically correct and tremendously fun book.

Titillating illustrations

Anyone with an Instagram account can gift erotic art in the form of illustrations. The platform is a virtual gallery for all kinds of artists. Eye-catching accounts include:

@tinamariaelena, a Danish-French artist who paints watercolors of couples in action.

@joce_cova. The New Yorker Jocelyn Chantelle shares simple, humorous erotic illustrations. She also offers sexy Christmas postcards and body-shaped candles.

@regards_coupables. Black-and-white illustrations showing all kinds of bodies in steamy poses.

@Pachu_m_torres_art. Explicit sex, neon colors and a comic-book esthetic characterizes the work of illustrator Pachu M. Torres.

Erotic vintage movie posters

Under the category “nude,” the website Belgian Movie Poster sells posters from 1960s and 1970s erotic Belgian films. The prices are reasonable, though the shipping costs are steep.

Sexy lingerie for him and her

The lingerie brand Agent Provocateur – elegant and sexy with a French touch – never fails. But as it may not be accessible to all, Etsy is full of low-cost options in daring designs that you can’t find in stores. It includes sexy lingerie for men – a world of color and fantasy.

Trivial Pursuit for sex

With a partner or with friends, erotic board games can combine pleasure, fun and learning. Sexpert is like Trivial Pursuit for sex, with questions and answers that test players’ erotic knowledge.