Lingerie definitely makes the list of most cliché Valentine’s Day gifts to buy for your partner. In fact, it probably ranks just below roses and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate on the list of most common and expected V-Day gifts. However, that doesn’t mean that lingerie can’t be a special Valentine’s Day gift that your partner appreciates and that you both can enjoy in the bedroom.

Whether or not you should consider buying lingerie for your partner depends on several different factors: how long you’ve been dating, how well you know each other, how much money you’re willing to spend, etc. If you’re on the fence, use these tips to help you determine whether or not sexy lingerie is the best choice as a gift for your partner this upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Consider Your Mutual Comfort Level

You should only buy lingerie as a V-Day gift for your partner if you are very comfortable with her and in tune with her style preferences. Otherwise, giving her lingerie for Valentine’s Day might come off as creepy or an overstep of your boundaries—no matter how innocent your intentions.

For example, lingerie probably isn’t the best Valentine’s Day gift for a friend with benefits or a woman you’ve only been dating for a month or two. On the other hand, your wife or long-term girlfriend will likely appreciate your thoughtfulness if you decide to give her lingerie this V-Day.

Think Before You Buy

If you do decide to buy lingerie for your partner for Valentine’s Day, remember that you’re buying the lingerie as a gift for someone else. In other words, you should keep your partner and her tastes in mind before yourself and your own. The most important thing to consider when shopping for lingerie for your partner—for Valentine’s Day or at any time of year—is which pieces will help your partner feel most confident and sexy. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to choose lingerie that your partner will actually be excited to wear, consider a different V-Day gift.

There’s nothing wrong with buying lingerie for your partner that you would love to see her wear. In fact, finding something that you think is sexy and that you know your partner will feel confident wearing is the best case scenario. However, don’t use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to buy your partner lingerie that you know would probably make her feel uncomfortable—no matter how sexy you think she’d look while wearing it. That being said, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t surprise your partner with ultra-scandalous lingerie—as long as you’re confident that it falls within her comfort zone.

Splurge a Little

No woman wants to receive cheap-looking, tacky lingerie for Valentine’s Day. Chances are good that receiving such a gift will do nothing but make her feel cheap and tacky. You should only buy lingerie as a V-Day gift for your partner if you’re willing to splurge a little on it.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on V-Day lingerie for your partner. Many luxury lingerie brands offer affordable pieces that still have a high-quality look and feel. Just do some research before you shop to make sure you buy from a reputable brand.