The inventiveness of those who make sexy gifts knows no bounds. Whether your relationship is a day old or a decade old, there's something to spice up the 14th February for everyone.

Chocolates may not technically be an aphrodisiac, but they can certainly get her heart racing. Add in some flowers or roses and you're already part way down the road to romance. Now you can bring out the heavy hitting gifts.

That 'heavy hitting' can actually be something as light as a feather, sexy lingerie for example. It's what everyone thinks of first when they think 'sexy gift', right? Not a bad idea, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Guys who buy lingerie for a woman should consider whether the gift is a hint or a present. This will depend on the stage your relationship is currently at and remember that no one likes to feel pressured to move to the next step. You may just find them moving on instead.

Make sure you get the right size and right style. Some women don't feel comfortable in a form-fitting lace body stocking. They like to hide those extra pounds or retain a bit of mystery before any unveiling. Look around at what she already owns and wears. Some woman may like to show off a little and like wearing sexy outfits. A see-through baby-doll may be just the answer. Ask her friends what she might like.

Similar advice is suitable for women buying for men. Not every guy finds heart-covered boxer shorts a motivator for lovemaking. Of course, your guy could never look bad in anything, or so you should tell him.

Move beyond clothing, though.

Massage oil makes a good sexy gift for Valentines Day. Everyone likes a massage. It can be just a great experience or the perfect prelude to slippery sex. But don't just give body oil. Make a promise to use it and then follow through. Spread the oil over each other and then slide your bodies together.

Silk sheets don't go too well with body oils, but they can provide a similar experience. When you crawl into a bed with silk sheets, you'll know what sensual is all about. Just don't get so distracted by the gift that you forget about your partner!

Maybe your partner is a little intellectual. Romance can always benefit from a little fantasy or imagery. A custom-written book of erotic stories that feature the two of you as the main characters could be a bestseller in your home. Before handing it to him, read him an extract and watch his reaction.

Everyone likes to play games. In love, those games can turn to sex in the right setting. You can buy a board game that builds anticipation and makes you laugh, both good precursors to romance. Discover you were made for each other, roll the dice and get lucky.

Get a sexy Valentine's Day gift for your partner or playmate.