Boa Pleasure Ties from Lelo.com

With a love interest, socks just won’t cut it when it comes to holiday gift-giving; it’s nice to give a present that shows you consider them a sex god/goddess. But don’t give something that’s obviously a present to yourself, like polyester butt-floss lingerie that may look good to you but feels terribly uncomfortable to the person you’re supposed to be pampering. (Make requests for that kind of thing on your own birthday.) And make sure the present you’re giving is appropriate to the person: A leather whip for the vegan pacifist in your life or PVC underwear for a beloved environmentalist probably won’t be well received (you may as well get them fruitcake while you’re at it). So here’s a quick guide to sexy gifts for specific types:

For the art appreciator: The beautiful hardcover photography book LoveSong: The Erotic Photographs of Arnold Skolnick.

For the sensualist: Jimmyjane.com‘s pristine collection of ergonomic massage accessories all in classic white.

For the hippie feminist: Anything — jewelry, art, pillows — that celebrates the female form from the Vulva Love Lovely store on Etsy.com.

For the quiet kinkster: Lelo.com’s beautiful new line of sensual accessories, including deep red suede cuffs and silk blindfolds.

For the nature lover: TheBodyDeli.com‘s extensive line of body products that incorporate raw, fresh, natural and organic ingredients, including yogurt, amino acids, fresh fruit and vegetables, and all-natural plant oils.

For the comedian: A copy of the new sex manual parody Sex: Our Bodies, Our Junk, available at most book stores.

For the person who has everything: The $7000 chess set that doubles as 32 different love toys designed by Aruliden for Kiki de Montparnasse.

MORE GIFT IDEAS FROM EM & LO:

• Sensual Chocolate Treats
• A Vibrator Chess Set
• Jimmyjane’s Form 3
• Sex Books for People You’re Not Sleeping With
• 5 Non-Materialistic Ways to Give

This column also appeared in print in Metro