Since the economy is in the toilet, why not jump into bed and have some old-fashioned fun?

“We’ve actually noticed an increase in sales during this time,” said Kathy Gross of Brown Bag Party, a company that hosts adult sex toy parties for women. The sex toy industry is probably one of a few that is actually experiencing sales increases in the current economic downturn.

There are currently a flood of these companies, and they are all using a similar (and rather successful) business model. A company’s products are sold at discount to independent consultants, who then make their profits selling them to women at the parties. But the success of these companies seems to be derived more from selling something women truly want. And what women want is better education about their bodies and a more exciting sex life.

Passion Parties consultant Denise Cripps has a goal to educate women and help them connect better with their partners. Said Cripps, “I always start off telling the women I’m going to go easy on them and that usually gets a laugh.”

She explains that she begins her presentation talking about the romance products and how women can use the lotions and oils to better connect with their significant other. “They help increase oxytocin, which is a bonding hormone, it makes us feel more connected to our partners.”

Cripps always saves the sex toys for the very end, after the women feel comfortable with her. Gross mentioned that some groups may even request that she not bring out the sex toys. But comfort breeds curiosity and more openness among the attendees.

“I usually still bring a few with me because usually some of the women will want to see them in the end,” said Gross. And what a range there is! Couple toys, dildos, g-spot vibrators, sensitivity creams and pheromone scents are just some of the products available for purchase. Brown Bag Parties even sells stripper poles and hosts pole parties for women.

In offering such a buffet of tools for personal and partnered satisfaction, these parties seem to attract every type of woman. Gross discussed that she had hosted parties for “young women, old women and every ethnic group.” Though, Cripps revealed that her best buyers were usually women in their 30s to 50s.

“Some of the really quiet groups, I’m thinking ‘am I offending them?’ or ‘am I shocking them?’,” said Cripps. “But when they get into the room (Passion Parties does private purchasing for clients), they turn out to be my biggest buyers.”

She attributes this to the fact that this may be their first introduction to sexual enhancement aids, where as some of the younger women, who are more boisterous, may not buy as much because they already own similar products.

I admit I might have learned a couple of things in talking to these women. In my interviews I found myself asking questions like any other woman might during one their parties.

“Wait, there’s something that will actually numb the back of your throat?” I asked, after Gross explained she demonstrates the product “Good Head” on blow pops (Yes, those suckers from your childhood). “So can you stick it all the way down the back of your throat?” I asked. “You can get it pretty far,” came her reply.

Cripps’ best seller, Pure Satisfaction, is based on the same technology as Viagra for men. As she starts talking about the nitric oxide passageway opening up, she and I go into teacher and student mode, respectively. “You just put it on your clit and you get a better orgasm?” Yep.

Said Cripps, “Women come to Passion Parties for that kind of education. That’s when I know I’ve got them in the palm of my hand.”