A few practical points make personalisation go smoothly. Check the character limit before writing your message, and read the spelling back carefully, since a printed name is permanent and a misspelt one is worse than none. If you are working from an image, use a clear, bright one. Allow extra time in the order, because personalised print adds a step, and longer still if the christening falls near Christmas.

Choose a full hamper for the scale the milestone deserves, lean on a maker with real provenance, and add a personal message from the team. Marked that way, a chocolate hamper gives a career the send-off it warrants and leaves the whole office something to share on the day.

Gifts for men run into the same tired shortlist every year, and flowers rarely make it onto it. Chocolate does a better job than its reputation suggests, provided you pick the format with the recipient in mind. For most men and most occasions, a large mixed collection is the sensible answer.

Some couples prefer to share a small box between two settings for couples seated together, lilyobriens.ie which trims the count but complicates the table plan. It works, but it asks more of your stationery and place cards, so only choose it if the saving genuinely matters.

A share bag suits the smaller, easier version of the same idea. It is right for a casual drop-in, for a flat rather than a house, or for a friend who would find a full hamper too much. It still says you thought about it, and it disappears happily over an evening rather than sitting on a shelf.

Find out more at dessert-inspired chocolate collection.