by Laura Schultz, LMFT – ROMANTIC PLEASURE PARTIES
It’s a Saturday afternoon, and the suspense is building as sunset approaches. Cathy B. is putting the finishing touches on her make-up and sassy outfit. Spectacular looking in a layered red dress, snappy new croco-embossed leather bag, and sizzling stilettos, she’s ready to embrace the excitement that awaits her.
What’s unusual about this scenario is Cathy is not preparing for a romantic date. Her thoughts are focused on the great time she’s going to have tonight sipping strawberry margaritas and roaring with laughter beside her BFF’s.
A night on the town with your gal pals can be a blast, but tonight all of Cathy’s best friends are gathering for a hosted party often referred to as “A Girls Night In.” These events technically known as pleasure parties are all the rage both in small communities as well as bustling cities around the country. They are basically a theme party for adult women who want to explore new avenues for their passions to be unleashed.
Two weeks prior to this gala event, Cathy received an e-mail invitation sent by the hostess to prepare the potential guests for the purpose of the party, so no one would be surprised or caught off guard by the theme for the evening.
Promptly at 7:00 p.m., Cathy arrives at her friend’s posh penthouse apartment that has a fabulous view of the twinkling lights of the city. Most of the guests have arrived and are already having cocktails, appetizers, and socializing with one another.
Adjacent to the bar is a dining area with room for ten people. Strategically placed around the room are silver candelabras with a scented fragrance that facilitates a romantic environment. And in close proximity is a sumptuous feast prepared especially for the occasion. Gastronomic delights are one of the key ingredients to masterminding a successful party. In short order, all of the guests are relaxed, involved in lively conversations, and are definitely in the mood for what comes next.
Now is the perfect time to unveil the passion driven accoutrements that set a dramatic stage for the romantic, sexy part of the festivities to begin. Right before the main event, the center of attention becomes a trained representative who introduces a vision of the pleasure parade of stars, demonstrates the products, and enlightens party-goers to the limitless potential of enhancing their romantic liaisons. Additionally, the host may choose to hand out party favors that are meant to inspire and entertain the guests. Some popular examples include X-rated fortune cookies, erotic edibles, or candy G-strings. These take home bundles of playful prizes fill the room with entertainment as well as provide inspiration for the next passionate encounter.
With the party in full swing, a plethora of products are unveiled in a strategic fashion with categories for each main attraction. The first category of items that enhance pleasure include fantasy costumes such as: a policewoman’s outfit complete with handcuffs and a badge, handcrafted masks, and other outfits with a theme. Next up are the lingerie items such as a sexy bustier or leather corset with garters for those who enjoy taking a walk on the wild side.
Products that stimulate the erogenous zones are always a big hit. Some of the bestsellers range from scented lotions and tangy warming oils to chocolate body paint and other tasty treats. These can be used to gently massage those highly sensitive areas of arousal.
The anticipation builds to a slow climax as each new phase of toys are displayed and explained. Another category in the pleasure chest is erotic devices that include the infamous 7+ inch dildo that comes in various colors. These replicas of the real deal come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Some of them look and feel genuine while others are made of glass or other strong components. It’s merely a matter of individual preference as to which one is more enticing.
Lest we forget a staple in this titillating line-up, the superstar of toys known as the vibrator is a hot item that has been around for eons. Legend has it that Queen Cleopatra of Egypt devised her very own vibrator comprised of bees placed in a sealed jar. When placed in close quarters with each other, they produce a vibrational pitch that when properly used can lead to ecstasy. Nevertheless, since the true invention of the vibrator by doctors during the Victorian age, this handy device has been continuously upgraded from the original version that was quite awkward.
The newer vibrators operate quite efficiently and come in many varieties. Some have dual controls with a number of speeds that are able to stimulate various portions of a woman’s body. Others are waterproof or are bullet-shaped, and most of them come in a variety of colors.
Throughout the program the toy representative may decide to share some of her experiences with the various items and invite audience participation in the discussion. This time set aside for sharing heightens awareness about new ways to maximize pleasure using a variety of creative techniques.
As the curtain closes on the pleasure party, guests reluctantly depart with a bright smile and a spring in their step. They leave armed with a new bag of tricks that heighten their pleasure in any future intimate encounter. Part of the beauty of these gatherings is the fact that each woman will ultimately create her own fantasy that will allow her to experience a new depth of pleasure. And for that reason alone, these types of parties are wildly successful.
Laura Schultz is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) and freelance writer who has been published in a myriad of genres. She has written extensively for national magazines on women’s issues such as relationships, marriage, and sexuality and developed two advice columns for women as well. She may be contacted via her website at www.lauraschultznow.com