Back in the day, my friends and I decided on a whim to make our way to a local sex shop and buy our very first sex toys. On a limited student budget, we were recommended The Original Butterfly Kiss, as it’s known to “get the job done” at an exceptionally affordable price - and it really (really) delivered! So we all went home with matching vibrators and then parted ways to test them out. (It doesn’t get more #SquadGoals than that!) 

About an hour later, we came banging on each other’s dorm room doors to gush about our experiences. I didn't know it at the time, but it was one of the most important and transformational days in my life; It helped me start the important work of destigmatizing sex and pleasure as a woman. Before this day, I had never been in a space where I was able to talk about my pleasure in such a free and uplifting way. This is why this International Friends Day, on July 30th, I, Miranda Buzzlove, will be gifting all my friends sex toys! I want to recreate this freeing mindset and continue to give others the opportunity to have moments like that one. 

Here are other reasons to gift your friend a sex toy:

It’s just a good gift!

Generally speaking, a sex toy is a great gift - and the proof is in the numbers. A 2019 survey conducted by CalExotics revealed that about half of adult females would be open to receiving a sex toy gift from a friend. In fact, 28% said they’d be “happy” about it, 19% said they’d be “embarrassed but it’s secretly welcomed,” 45% said they’d feel “weird,” and only 8% said they’d feel “disappointed.”  Hopefully, you know your friend well enough to know what side of the coin they lie on this (LOL), but when in doubt, just talk about it. It’s only awkward if you make it awkward! 

They might be too shy to do it themselves

Some might need an extra nudge to explore the wonderful world of sex toys, and you could be that gentle push (pun intended) they’ve been waiting for. Now I’m not saying you should gift your shy friend a sex toy in front of their f-ing family! But with the right setting and context, like on International Friends Day with your best pals, your shy friend will most likely fall into the “embarrassed but secretly welcomed” group instead of feeling weird or disappointed by your well-intentioned gift. 

You can customize it to each friend

In the Netflix movie Wine Country, the character Val buys each friend a sex toy to match their personality, including Callie by Jopen. This individualization allows you to get creative and put thought into your gift, which is the best part of gift-giving. It’s the thought that counts, right!? For instance, if my friends were the Spice Girls I would get Scary Spice the Impulse E-Stimulator Dual Wand, Sporty Spice a Kegel Training Set, Baby Spice the Tiny Teasers Bunny, Ginger Spice a Red Hot, and Posh Spice Vanity by Jopen. Girl power! (And seriously, can y’all be my friends already?)

It’s fun! 

Gifting your friends sex toys are guaranteed to be a good time (again in the right setting). I can tell you from experience, you will all laugh until your cheeks hurt and your bellies ache! Plus, you get the chance to open up important conversations about sexual health and wellness in a positive, lighthearted way. 

There are so many great reasons to gift your friend's sex toys, but I think the best reason is the potential to create a space where sex toys are not seen as taboo and your sexual health and pleasure are celebrated. So if not this International Friends Day, maybe gift your friends a sex toy for Galentine's Day, a bachelorette party, Friendsgiving, or even just because! 

~ Miranda Buzzlove