While we're all bound to get caught up in the hype of the Christmas season, there are certainly opportunities to relax, rewind and turn our attentions to our lovers. In fact, the Christmas period is a great time to revive your sex life and look at exploring carnal pleasure once again.

So how do you do it without the kids or the gift shopping getting in the way? There's only one way: make time and be sneaky. Christmas shopping doesn't only have to be confined to Toys R Us. While you're out being Santa and buying gifts for everyone, why not turn your focus to the naughtier side of the shopping mall where you and your partner can focus on sexy and pretty things for each other? That's being sneaky and finding the time in one hit.

The lingerie store is definitely a good start. But if you're brave enough, drop into the sex store together to explore the toys, DVDs, games and costumes that will oil your engines.

Though men more commonly find themselves sexually stimulated via visual means, women usually find a visit to the sex store an arousing experience too (unless of course you consider such an idea revolting, in which case, I'd still hazard a guess that you're probably just in denial).

Simply deciding to explore your relationship sexually will open up communication between both of you and allow you to learn how your partner wants to be pleasured. You'll be surprised to find that you learn more about your partner in general during sessions like these.

Each of us have our quirks, not least of which is sexual and to have a healthy long term relationship, it's important that we humour our partner and at the very least, hear them out without laying down large doses of judgment.

That said, I'd also warn those partners with quirks to keep 'em toned down at first when you reveal them to your partner. It's like anything in life, test the waters first before you dive in.

But I digress! Back to our discussion about getting naughty with your partner over the festive season. It's about being creative and brave. Trying new things in a safe environment. It's important that both of you are comfortable and ready to try things and certainly a very bad idea to spring a move on your partner when they're unaware.

Intimacy games ? literally, a board game ? can be a great way to share your likes and dislikes with your partner. What's great about games like these is that they provide a choice of how daring you want to be. It's also a fabulous Christmas gift for the two of you and a motivating factor to find time to spend in the bedroom together.

Role play can be a great way to conjure up your imaginations and turn each other on. If you find the guise of a character easier to voice your preferences through, by all means, get kitted up. Those little outfits are super cute and sexy too.

Raunchy DVDs. Now, now boys. This is not an invitation to go off and buy the raunchiest sex DVD you can find. In fact, I'd say, don't even think about it! And that's because girls prefer a story with a bit of sex thrown in, and not a sexual orgy with a thin and weak storyline thought up last minute. If you must have such DVDs, make sure you get the top-end (and more expensive) stuff. Otherwise, I'd suggest looking at proper films that are not considered outright porn to cuddle with your partner. I promise you'll get far more cuddling that way.

Sex toys ? oh the joy! There is so much choice and I'd advise that you and your partner do a bit of searching yourselves either at a sex store or discreetly, online at home. Go on now, don't be shy. It's loads of fun to throw in a toy while you're getting down and dirty and it?s a fun and naughty Christmas gift too.