If you want to lift it further, a personalised message or his name on the box turns a generic present into one addressed to him. Keep the message short and let the collection do the talking. Allow a little extra time for personalised print, and more in the run-up to Christmas when orders stack up.

Personalisation is worth thinking about early. A printed message, a monogram or the wedding date turns a nice box into a keepsake. Ask what the personalisation actually involves before you commit, since some options print onto the sleeve and others onto a card insert, and the two photograph very differently across a long table.

A photo box leans sentimental. It suits occasions where the image itself is the gift: a new baby, a milestone birthday, a first anniversary, or a long-distance thank you where a familiar face lands better than words. Choose a photograph with a clear subject and a bit of breathing room around it, since busy images crop awkwardly onto a small lid. A bright, well-lit shot reproduces far better than a dark one.

More information is available at individually wrapped chocolates.

Keep the presentation neutral and consistent. A uniform look across every gift you send reads as deliberate, which matters when clients compare notes or when the same box appears on several desks. Avoid anything that dates quickly or ties you to one season if the Lily O'Brien's chocolate gifts will go out over several weeks.

Lead times catch people out more than anything else. Handmade stock and personalised print both need runway, so treat six to eight weeks out as the sensible window for a firm order, and longer if you are ordering in the run-up to Christmas when demand is heaviest. Confirm your numbers after the RSVP deadline, not before, and give yourself a buffer for the inevitable late reply.