This Christmas, Buy These Expert-Approved Intimate Gifts For Your Partner

When it comes to selecting a Christmas present with an intimate twist, finding the perfect balance between sensual allure and tasteful elegance is key. Whether you're shopping for a partner or looking to add a touch of romance to the holiday season, this expert-approved guide will help you navigate the realm of sophisticated gifts that exude class and thoughtfulness.

UK-based relationship expert Tracey Cox in a piece on Daily Mail suggests keeping the personality of the recipient in mind while choosing an intimate gift. If your partner is shy, “arrive with a glossy coffee table book by a sexy but stylish photographer like Helmut Newton. Scented massage oil is also safe: no-one’s offended by the prospect of a sensual massage, but it hints at naughtiness. (Massage Candles are also great: light it to set the mood, use the wax to massage.) Silk PJs or a short silky robe are great presents for her; silky boxer-style PJ’s also work for him,” she writes.

If you are pretty green in this new relationship, go sober with your gifts so as to now come across as demanding. The best way is to go the suggestive route, focussing on the prospect of having a good time. “A cute thing to do is divide your gift into two parts, wrapped separately. Write ‘Because I think you’re sexy’ on one card for the erotic present and ‘Because I think you’re fantastic’ on the more romantic offering,” suggests Cox.

When it comes to sex toys, you must “Think classy, spirited and fun rather than overtly sexual presents,” writes Cox. In addition to lick-off body paints, the expert suggests bondage kits. “Other good choices are beginner bondage kits (they include things like non-threatening handcuffs, restraints that attach with velcro, a blindfold). Tie-up games are the most popular couple’s fantasy - and the fantasy most likely to be enjoyed when acted out in real life,” she writes.

Romcoms might have put the idea of a sexy red lingerie in our heads, buying lingerie as a gift is rarely right. But if you are adamant about it, Cox suggests getting the size right. “check out the labels on at least three different sets of lingerie she already owns and stick to those brands and sizing or find a sexier version of. Choose white, cream, black or ‘pretty’ colours like blue or pink. Avoid red at all costs – it tends to come in cheap, nasty fabrics, it's cliched and suits very few skin types,” she says.

If you’ve been with your partner for a long time, and are on the side of “been there, done that”, then the world is your oyster when it comes to intimate gifts. Cox suggests some gifts that can add more intimacy. “Try some CBD arousal gels and lubes or orgasm arousal gels. They’re packed with ingredients that tingle and encourage blood flow to the genitals. A soft whip – traditional style – is a sexy, erotic present that also looks inviting. The whips that look like they’d hurt the most – the big ones with lots of thick fronds – are the mildest of them all. They’re called ‘floggers’ and great for people who’ve never tried acting out a spanking fantasy,” she writes for the Daily Mail.