This Christmas, I bought my husband a sex toy. To be precise I bought him a Tenga Flip Hole, and I felt no shame or qualms about buying it, and he had no ill feelings about accepting it. I would have absolutely zero problem doing it again. Sex toys can make great gifts, or they can be utter, humiliating failures. To prevent the latter, follow these four simple rules.

1. Know your receiver on a deep, personal level. Anyone you are giving a sex toy to should be someone you know, and know well. I don't necessarily mean someone you've had sex with, but rather someone you are emotionally intimate with. Yes, you may think Mrs. Smith down the street really needs to have an orgasm, but refrain from buying her a toy until you can honestly call yourselves bosom buddies.

2. Know the level of the receiver's pickiness. Are they going to be stoked that you were thoughtful enough to buy them a toy, or are they going to be insulted that you were presumptuous, in thinking that you knew what they'd like?

3. Be extremely careful, if you will be introducing them to the idea of toys. This is particularly true if you are not in a sexual relationship, with the receiver of your gift. If you think they've never had a sex toy, or don't know if they are open to the idea, you probably don't want to give a sexual gift at all, lest it be taken as an insult. “Why did you get me a vibrator? Do you think there is something wrong with my sex life? Who made you judge of that?” If, however, you are determined to get them a sex toy or gift, you may want to just give a gift card to Eden and preface it with something like, “I know you said you wanted to try something new, so...” or, “Remember when you said _____? I thought you'd like this.” It puts the decision in their hands as to whether they act on your gift or not.

4. Always warn. Always, always, always warn the receiver of your gift, even if it is your spouse, not to open your gift around others. Make sure that they know that the gift is private and for their eyes only. Causing an embarrassing situation, on Christmas morning, is a surefire way to lose a friend.

Now that you've read the rules, you have to ask yourself if the receiver of your gift fits the proper criteria for receiving such a personal item from you. If yes, go for it! In the right hands, toys make great gifts. If, however, you have any reason to doubt, do yourself a favor and buy them a nice book instead.