Porn stars, dominatrixes, sugar babies, Instagram models, Twitch streamers. If she’s a beautiful woman with a social media presence, chances are, men are buying her gifts off her Amazon wishlist.

DJ Darcie Dolce, an award-winning porn performer, tells me she’s showered in clothes, handbags, and jewelry. “This December, it was Christmas and my birthday, and I got lots of presents,” Darcie says.

Asami Hime, a Snapchat premium provider who charges Snapchat followers for access to her X-rated content, receives gifts from men who want to see their contributions appear in her Snapchats. “They’re supporting someone, and I think they get a lot of gratification when they can actually see how they’re helping,” Asami says.

Domina Elle, a Denver-based dominatrix, tells me she gets tons of presents because it’s tradition to adore your dom. “Almost my entire dungeon was given to me,” she says.

Elle works one-on-one with her clients, so her gift-givers share their presents in-person, and get the chance to see Elle’s reaction. Darcie and Asami, on the other hand, are often total strangers to the fans who ship packages to their front door.

“I don’t know their names, and I have no idea what they look like,” Darcie says.

For that reason, it doesn’t make a ton of sense why someone would buy presents for a pretty internet stranger. But the men who buy lingerie for their Snapchat premium providers, whips for their dommes, or $400 blenders for their favorite porn stars all have their reasons.

One objective is to show gratitude for a sex worker’s service. When someone single-handedly fulfills your sexual fantasies, some appreciation is always in order. When she’s being fawned over by so many other men, your measly words might not be enough to attract her attention, but a Cuisinart ice-cream maker in the mailbox almost certainly will.

Another reason men fulfill these ladies’ Amazon wishlists is to feel a connection with them. For these guys, social media creates a sense of bonding with sex workers that goes far beyond masturbation.

For example, Asami’s relationship with her followers is much more intimate than what users get from a free pornography experience. On Snapchat, you can see Asami’s day-to-day life, both the innocent parts and the naughty parts. You can feel like you’re hanging out with her and her cats. You can send her a dick pic.

“As opposed to what you’ll get with your favorite porn star, there’s that feeling of really knowing a person and sharing an interactive relationship,” Asami says.

The wish lists also help to develop the women’s self-branding. For example, Darcie includes items that have some kind of connection to her porn persona, like lingerie, high-heels, beauty products and skimpy little outfits — things that both a fan would enjoy buying her, and she would enjoy using in her private life.

Then, Darcie might take pictures of herself using the gift or wearing a gifted outfit in a porn shoot. Fans get a real thrill — at least a quarter-chub — from seeing their presents worn in productions.

A present to Elle, though, may be the only gift that keeps on giving. Give her a whip, and she’ll spank you with it. Give her an alien mask, and she’ll roleplay “alien abduction” all day.

Otherwise, for porn stars, cam girls, Snapchat providers, Instagram models and Twitch streamers, buying sex workers gifts off their Amazon wish lists is a way for men to get closer to the women they love from afar — all without a restraining order.