Sexy Seniors' Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Usually when I write a gift guide for you, I compile the best of the sex toys, books, and other items that I've reviewed all year. This year, I'm spotlighting some fabulous products that I haven't reviewed yet, along with some favorites of the year. 

I've tried a few different clitoral arousal gels, and they all provide a bit of a tingle. The new wOw Max O from Wet is a whole different species.

I've been using it for several months, and haven't reviewed it yet only because I can't figure out how to describe the sensation. It's more than a tingle -- almost a sting, but in a lusciously arousing, sexy way. It contains two vasodilators which bring blood to the surface of the skin -- important for arousal and orgasm -- and  peppermint creates the more-than-tingly sensation. It feels really, really good. (If you can figure out how to describe the sensation, please let me know.) If you like the idea of extra clitoral arousal, but you want a gentle assist rather than the power of the Max, Wet also makes a milder version, called wOw Gentle O. Although the tube looks small, Wet says women typically get 75 applications from one tube.

Wet also makes 14 different kinds of lubricant, depending on your preference, whether you're using it with latex condoms or silicone toys, whether you want thicker and slicker or more natural feeling. My favorite is the "Ecstasy Xtra Cooling Lubricant."

When Good Vibrations heard that I was doing a Gift Guide, they rushed to send me some new products. Many insertable sex toys are too girthy for some of my readers who prefer or require slimmer toys for comfort. These two will please, and they're lot less expensive than most of the vibrators that pass my review test! Both are hard plastic, use batteries, and have a dial at the end for intensity. (They're labeled waterproof, but I didn't test them this way.)

Silky G Waterproof G-spot Vibrator. This is a terrific vibrator for a woman who likes G-spot stimulation without girth. It's just 1.25" in diameter at its widest. We're all shaped a bit differently, but for me, the curved tip hit my G-spot perfectly. Yum.

Easy Glider Waterproof Vibrator.If your giftee wants a slim, insertable vibrator but doesn't care about the G-spot curve, this bright, translucent vibrator has bloops for varied sensations. At its widest, it's only 1-1/8", and the tip is much smaller for easy, gradual insertion.

If intense, diffused stimulation of the clitoris and much of the vulva is more important to you than size or silence, the Acuvibe has become one of my all-time favorite external vibrators. It's strong, really strong, and because it's rechargeable, there are no cords to get in the way while you use it. Yes, it's heavy. So worth it!


Let's say your giftee likes vaginal or anal sex toys and maybe even doesn't need them to vibrate. Tantus produces an astonishing array of dildos, vibrators, butt plugs, and some items that defy categorization. Some are phallic shaped, like the Vamp pictured here -- it's sparkly, which doesn't show in the photo, and the color and name whimsically call to mind a vampire's phallus (not that I've ever seen a vampire's phallus).

Others are shaped for anatomical pleasure rather than realistic appearance. Tantus has always taken a stand for body-safe, medical-grade, platinum-based silicone products, even when most sex toys used to be cheap and toxic. (FYI, the Vamp is too girthy for me -- 1.75" -- but I like to look at it. Tantus does make smaller toys, but I thought you might like to look at the Vamp, too.)

When I was planning this gift guide, I was going to introduce the Crave Duet here. But once I tried it, I enjoyed it so much that I decided it needed its own review, which I appears here. If the woman in your life wants strong, direct clitoral vibrations in a tiny, practically silent vibrator, the Duet makes an elegant gift. 


I've given you a lots of gift ideas for women, but how about the fellow in your life? If he's told you stories of hiding his copies of Playboy under his mattress when he was a boy, he'll appreciate this coffee-table size ( 9.4" x 12") book: Playboy's Greatest Covers, by sex, tech, and pop culture writer Damon Brown.



A man can't have too many eggs -- Tenga Egg Masturbation Sleeves, that is. "It provides marvelous sensations, comes in a wide variety of interior ribbing designs and as a bonus, is usable even by men suffering from erectile dysfunction, raves my male reviewer, sex therapist David Pittle. Read his review here.


A Joyful Pleasure glass toy is a lovely gift that will keep on giving. These look like works of art, but their purpose is vaginal or anal pleasure. Read my review of some of these glass toys here, or see the whole collection here.  


Blossom Organics makes smooth, body-safe, natural feeling lubricants so you can enjoy your sexual sensations with a partner, a toy, or your own fingers, even if your vagina doesn't lubricate easily any more. As the name implies, these are made from natural and organic plant-based materials that are gentle even for sensitive vaginas. Choose from natural moisturizing lubricant, warm sensation moisturizing lubricant, or warm sensation oil. (The oil is not latex-friendly; the others are.) Be sure and try the Pure Pleasure Arousal Gel for extra tingle!


I've been praising the Liberator Wedge for years. It's a sex cushion, just the right shape, size, and support for getting into your favorite sex position without stress to your (or your partner's) knees, hips, or back. No need to put it away between sex dates -- it's also a nice reading pillow! I like the 24", but for large-sized bodies or a greater variety of sex positions, you might want another size or shape or a combo.


Of course, my own books make great gifts, and they're available as paperbacks, e-books, and audiobooks:

• Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud About Senior Sex : Award-winning guide to better sex after 50, including 145 reader stories and 45 experts answering their questions.
• Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk About Sex After Sixty : Celebrating the joys of older-age sexuality through Joan's candid, spicy love story.

What do you think of this year's selection? I invite you to add your comments. (Please, no retailers that I don't endorse trying to pull my readers to your sites.)

Please also enjoy my past gift guides:

• Holiday Gift Guide 2011
• Holiday Gift Guide 2010
• Valentine's Day Gift 2010 Guide, pt. 1
• Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2010, pt. 2