By Sarah Puckett Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor Gather a small crowd of girls, add snacks, drinks and laughter, and a visitor might think she had stumbled upon a typical girls-only slumber party. On second glance, however, there is something unexpected -- an abundance of lubricants, creams, vibrators and an array of other sex toys. This is not your typical girls' night in.
Sex toy parties have become a growing trend on college campuses, including at the University. Third-year College student Ashley Reckert is a distributor for Slumber Parties, Inc., a company that specializes in hosting events for women interested in learning more about products on the market.
"First of all, these parties are for women only, and you can come with your friends and test out and taste lotions and lubricants, as well as pass around vibrator models to get an idea for how they would work for personal use," Reckert said.
Reckert started selling sex toys after attending a party herself. Because she wants to be a sex therapist one day, Reckert explained, she thought selling sex toys would help her learn more about how people express their sexuality in the bedroom.
"I've always been interested in sexuality," Reckert said. "It is something that is so important in our society, but something we aren't supposed to talk about."
Women who attend Slumber Parties, Inc. parties have the opportunity to learn about products for personal and couple use from a company representative, who leads a two-hour presentation. Guests can sample testable products before placing orders privately with the representative. According to Reckert, hostesses can receive free products and gift certificates if they achieve high sales at their parties.
Second-year College student Megan Johnson said she recently attended one of Reckert's slumber parties because it would be interesting and enjoyable.
"It was an experience I had never had before, and I thought it would be something fun to do with my friends before finals," Johnson said.
Johnson said she was surprised by the range of products offered at the party she attended.
"We sell massage oils, lubricants, vibrators, bath bubbles, novelty and party gifts, lingerie," Reckert said. "Anything and everything you would want to spice up your relationship or pleasure yourself."
Johnson said part of what made the party fun was that no men attended.
"I feel that by not having men there, it was a more comfortable atmosphere," Johnson said. "You could feel free to be open and look at the products without being judged."
According to Reckert, the company she works for is known for its focus on women's sexuality.
"I think that it's really cool that this company is owned and operated by women, and only women can come to the parties," Reckert said. "It gives women a chance to be open about their sexuality without having to worry about what other people are thinking, and it also gives women the control to bring what they want to their romantic relationship."
According to the Slumber Parties, Inc. Web site, the company's philosophy is to educate women in a discreet and private manner about their bodies and about how to enhance their sensual experiences, with the goal of empowering women and making them more confident in other areas of their lives as well.
Reckert said she believes her company is successful in its goal of empowering women.
"Giving women control in their sexual relationships is particularly important in today's society, because even though men and women are equal in many ways, men still tend to dominate in the bedroom," Reckert said.
Johnson agreed that these parties can be empowering for women.
"It gives women a chance to open their eyes to stuff they may have never been exposed to before," she said. "I think that sex toy parties provide a forum for women to openly express their sexuality."
Though sex toy parties expose women to new products, Reckert noted said she would be surprised if she ever sold one of the more creative products at the University, such as the sex swing -- a swing hung from the ceiling of a room that allows for a multitude of unusual positions and movements during sexual activity. She added that for the college demographic, products such as large dildos are not as popular as less invasive toys such as clitoris stimulators.
Johnson said she thinks students' choice of products may be influenced by the fact that many college students do not yet need something to spice up sexual relationships.
"Sex is new and exciting for most students as it is," she said, adding also that the costs for vibrators and more elaborate toys are higher than for other products.
Reckert said her most popular products are a razor burn cream, flavored lubricants and a clitoris stimulator. She added that novelty gifts, such as penis-shaped baking pans and sex position cards, tend to be popular at the University.
Though Slumber Parties, Inc. was founded in 1993, sex toy parties have become increasingly popular in recent years.
"It's definitely a growing trend, I think," Johnson said. "Sexuality is becoming more of a topic to be open about, and I think that's why these parties are becoming more popular."
Johnson said she would recommend sex toy parties to her peers.
"It is something everyone should do in their life, whether they're into sex products or not," Johnson said. "You're not going to be uncomfortable, and who knows, you might find something you've never even thought of before"
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