After deciding to pull the trigger on a first sex doll purchase, most pleasure seekers feel a variety of different emotions. Excitement is naturally going to be one of them. So is mild impatience, as most first-time doll owners can’t wait to enjoy that first encounter with a doll of their own.

But most people eventually realize they have a lot of unanswered questions and are left wondering what they should expect when it comes to certain aspects of doll ownership. If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you continue looking forward to your doll arriving safely on your doorstep.

Your doll will arrive in discreet packaging

If you’re a first-time doll owner who ordered online and is low-key having nightmares about the type of packaging your doll might arrive in, know there’s nothing to worry about. There’s naturally nothing wrong with owning or ordering a sex doll. But privacy is still a significant concern to most modern consumers for several reasons.

Today’s doll manufacturers and retailers completely understand this, so they ship items like realistic love dolls in discreet, tasteful packaging that will leave no one the wiser about what’s inside. That means all you need to do is decide what you want to tell your nosy housemate was really in that big box, because the only way he’ll know it was a doll is if you tell him yourself.

Your doll won’t have her head on when you first see her

In most cases, realistic love dolls are packed without their heads attached. This makes sense when it comes to saving space inside the actual packaging and making it less unwieldy. It also helps make it easier to pack the doll in a way that preserves her integrity and ensures she’ll safely make the trip to your home.

But if a would-be doll owner isn’t expecting their new silicone companion to be headless when they first see her, it can be a little bit of a shock. Don’t worry, though. Your doll will also come complete with instructions for attaching her head and adequately caring for her once she’s assembled.

Your doll might come with some handy extras

Although what your actual doll will come with depends on the type of doll you bought, which brand manufactured her, and where you bought her, many options come with extra doll accessories to get new doll owners started in the right direction. Examples might include (but won’t necessarily be limited to):

• Detailed care instructions and tips for getting the most out of your doll
• An irrigator to help you clean and maintain her various openings
• A blanket or other covering to help protect your doll during transit (and moving forward)
• Protective gloves to wear to protect your doll during unpacking and assembly
• One or more outfits for you to dress your doll in once she’s unpacked and assembled

Your box doubles as a handy storage option

Every doll owner needs to keep a reliable, protective way to store their doll on hand when she’s not in use, regardless of how often they like to play with her. After all, you’ll need a storage solution to reach for if you ever relocate or otherwise need to move your doll from one place to another. And you’ll want to keep her protected on days you need to stash her out of sight because you’re expecting family, guests, or other visitors.

Eventually, you’ll probably want to invest in a long-term solution like a carrying case, a closet hook, or a lockable storage box. But in the meantime, the box your doll came in will do fine. So definitely save your box and make use of it until you choose a long-term storage option that works for you.

Shoes are helpful in more ways than one

Depending on the type of doll you purchased, yours may be equipped with standing feet that will make it possible for you to pose her in standing positions for photography, playtime, or any other activity. But whether or not that’s the case, keeping shoes on hand for your doll to wear is a wise choice.

Not only do shoes make it easier to place or pose a doll with standing feet, but they make it easier to get any doll into certain positions. Plus, shoes can be extremely sexy accessories without which no outfit is complete, so it’s worth your while to invest in some.

Of course, these are hardly the only factors new doll owners may or may not expect going in, but they are among the most common. Realistic love dolls are much more than high-end upgrades to a person’s solo time. They’re beautiful, valuable works of art in their own right, so it makes sense to treat them as such.