Start with presentation. A favour that sits at each place setting is part of the table styling, so the box matters as much as what is inside. Lily O'Brien's has been handcrafting chocolates in Newbridge, Co. Kildare since Mary Ann O'Brien started the brand in 1992, and the small-format boxes suit a place setting without crowding the glassware. Neutral tones sit comfortably with most colour schemes, which spares you matching favours to napkins.

A message box leans occasion-led. A name, a date or a short line such as "thank you" or "congratulations" turns a standard box into something addressed to one person. It is the safer choice when you are not sure a photo will land, for corporate gifting for instance, or when you want the chocolates themselves to be the centre of attention.

It helps to choose a maker whose product you trust. Lily O'Brien's Ireland O'Brien's has handcrafted chocolates in Newbridge, Co. Kildare since 1992, so the favours arrive as something guests recognise and are happy to keep. That recognition does quiet work at the table.

One honest note that applies everywhere. If the recipient asks about ingredients or dietary detail, point them to the published product information rather than answering yourself.

Personalisation is what makes it fit the occasion. A box printed with the baby's name, the christening date, or a short line of congratulations turns a standard gift into a keepsake of a specific day. For a christening in particular, where several relatives gather and the parents are hosting, a personalised box works as both a gift and a small centrepiece that guests can share.

For clients, a hamper reads as considered. It arrives as an occasion in itself, it shares around an office, and it carries a professional message without tipping into extravagance. Choose one with a neutral presentation rather than anything overtly seasonal, so it works whether it lands in March or in the week before Christmas. A restrained box travels better across industries and personalities than a novelty one.