In some jobs, you expect the staff to start to have a “seen it all” attitude after a while, but not at Babeland. Sex toys are so diverse and creative that it’s easy to still be excited about new innovations. Since we are asked so often what we recommend, we wanted to share the gifts we’ll be giving to our sweeties, BFF’s and ourselves for Valentine’s Day.

Tracy from Brooklyn will be sharing her love of the Uma, a versatile vibrator that can be used internally, externally and as a G-spot toy. If your Valentine likes it all, then the Uma is the one!

Krista is giving the sheer one piece bodysuit, the Villa Cancan from Maison Close, to herself as a way to feel sexy for her next lover. This French lingerie line flatters and fits a wide range of body types and will make you feel sexy and confident.

Mary, the Retail Department Manager, speaks for the Tor vibrating cock ring as the perfect gift for your man. It’s high-tech, stylish and rechargeable. He’ll love it’s comfortable fit and you’ll both love its variable speeds and six vibration modes.

What will you be giving for Valentine’s Day? Read more Staff Picks.

We talk about sex all day every day with the most wonderful people, our customers, and there are definitely common themes to the issues and questions that come up. This list represents our best tips and techniques to take your sex life over the top in 2012. Share your lessons and insights with us in the comments.

1. Throw out what you’ve been told about sex, what you think you should be doing, the way you think you’re supposed to act or respond. It’s making your sex life less fun, less playful, and less fulfilling.

2.  All bodies are hot and however your body works is right. Great sex isn’t bestowed on people who look a certain way. Every day, our customers tell us that something about their sex lives doesn’t correspond to the response they think they should be having. None of it is true! All bodies and desires are different. Resolve to have the kind of sex you actually want and to learn what your partner wants, as well.

3. Lube! This one isn’t new, but it’s still one of the most important tools in your nightstand. Lube can take any kind of stimulation and make it feel even better. While we can offer some helpful advice about different types of lube for different activities – thicker lube for anal sex, silicone lube for use in water – what works best is a personal preference. Try the Sliquid Lube Cube so that you can sample six different kinds of lube.

4. Dirty talk is magical. Take any kind of stimulation and suddenly by talking about it, the whole act can feel even more intense and incredible. If it feels awkward, get started by describing the action. It’s okay to feel a bit silly at first. “I’m rubbing you with this finger vibe,” or “I’m going to slide this vibrating cock ring on you.”

5. Better communication via a Yes/No/Maybe list. Make a list of all the sex acts you can think of, from kissing to fisting to 69 and BDSM, or take the list from Moregasm: Babeland’s Guide to Mind-Blowing Sex. You and your partner get to mark each act indicating your willingness to do it. At the end, you have a hot sex menu to choose from! In the New Year, you can use this as a tool to see what you want to try out for the first time and what you want to learn about. (more…)

When you work in a cool retail store like Babeland, your friends and loved ones are always hoping that you’ll share freebies, pick up on their subtle hints and spontaneously buy them something, and offer them a friends and family discount. We do all that, of course, but when it comes to the holidays, it’s our chance to go all out and share the wealth. We polled a cross-section of Babelanders to get their top picks for holiday gifts and came up with excellent ideas.

Anne, Babeland’s Marketing Director, is a single mom who sings the praises of the Bunny Love Kit. She says, “It’s got one of the most popular sex toys of all time (the Rabbit Habit) in it, it comes pre-wrapped, and the savings are great. Every year, I give it to at least one of my friends — usually a stressed out mom who doesn’t have much time to shop for sex toys, and could really use the blissful orgasms this gift provides.” Any moms or stressed out ladies on your holiday list would seriously enjoy this gift.

Lauren, a Sex Educator at Babeland SoHo, has a lot of naughty friends who need stocking stuffers. She’s going with His/Hers Orgasm in a Box Kits. She says, “They’re the perfect package for those looking for a cheap thrill, complete with great beginner toys: Blossom Sleeve and Sonic Ring Kit for the guys, Silver Bullet and Bunny Tickler attachment for the gals. They even come with lube and batteries, so my friends will have everything they need.” As an added bonus, $2 of the sale of every Orgasm in a Box Kit is donated to food banks in New York and Seattle.

Babeland E-Commerce Manager, Greta, plans on using the new remote control panty vibe, the OhMiBod Clube Vibe 2.OH as a sexy gift for her date. “So my plan is to buy this, put the vibrating part in my underwear, go out to a club with my unsuspecting date, and hand them the remote with a wink. It’s a gift for both of us.” Now that’s what we call spreading the holiday cheer.

For more advice from our savvy staff, check out the full list here. For our complete gift guides, go here. Tell us, what are you planning for holiday gift giving?