Sex Toys: The New Home Sales Party

When I was a newlywed it seemed as if all my friends were throwing Tupperware parties. Every few weeks there was another party to attend, and inevitably the hostess shared mutual friends with me, and they'd agree to host parties, which of course meant I was then obligated to support those friends, and show up at their gatherings. Tupperware parties were attended more frequently than church.

How did all of us get so excited over plastic storage containers? Sure, they came in cool colors, shapes, and there were free gifts. But, we were the younger sisters of the sixties, how did we get so carried away with the promise of burping lids and multi-colored tipsy cups?

But, you have to hand it to those home party folks. When browsing through the selection of Rubbermaid products on display at the local supermarket, I never experience the same sensation of excitement, as I did when sitting around with my girlfriends, being cheered on by the enthusiasm of the Tupperware sales rep, promising us the unimaginable joy and entertainment possibilities those products would bring into our lives.

By the time my son was in pre-school there was a new type of home sales party; sex toys. Of all people, it was my son's pre-school teacher who threw a party, inviting all the mothers from her pre-school class. Perhaps we were truly the liberated generation, in spite of our earlier obsession with storage containers.

I can still remember the sister of the pre-school teacher, who during the party, excitedly shared with us the fact she was wearing the ben wa balls she had purchased at a previous party. The expression TMI was not yet in use, yet it was definitely applicable to that situation.

Twenty-six years later, one of my girlfriends and I still giggle over "The man and the bear" (don't ask). And today, those sex parties have morphed into couples adult toy parties. Yes, our civilization has evolved.

Home sale parties definitely haven't faded away. Just the opposite. Today there are home parties for selling candles, jewelry, holiday ornaments, purses, clothes, makeup, cooking utensils, crystal, and probably things I've never heard of before. They aren't just held at home, often they take place at lunchtime or after hours at a business office.

Initially the public viewed home sale reps as stay at home mothers, who were trying to supplement their household income. The sales rep would have more control over her work schedule and management of childcare. Today, more and more home sale reps use the opportunity as a second job to supplement their income, in a way that promotes a party like setting, and an opportunity to meet new people.