Yesterday I posted about the Leading Lipstick Indicator, “a surprisingly reliable theory that suggests consumers turn to inexpensive little treats, like lipstick, when they start freaking out about the future.” It seems that included in those inexpensive indulgences, we women are splurging on sex toys to get us through the hard times. At a benefit last night for the New Space Women’s Center hosted at Babes of Toyland, owner and co-founder, Claire Cavanauh, told NYMag, “Right around when the AIG bailout started, and people’s consciousnesses were really being raised about what was going to happen, our sales went up 26 percent,” an increase she said the store hadn’t seen since just after the 9/11 terrorist attacks (the same time lipstick sales reportedly soared for leading cosmetic companies). The idea, explained benefit attendee and “Gossip Girl” actress Michelle Hurd (Eleanor Waldorf’s assistant, Laurel) is, “You can stay home, it’s free! And it’s warm, especially since here in New York it’s getting so cold.” She even bought her mother the Rabbit for Christmas last year, a vibrator made famous by a memorable “Sex and the City” episode. While I can appreciate a vibrator’s place in these trying economic times, I’m not quite sure I’d give the gift that keeps giving to the woman who gave me life (a tube of lipstick may be a more appropriate stocking stuffer), but what about you guys? Would you ever give someone — your mother or anyone else — a vibe as a holiday gift? [via NYMag] Keep reading »