Get the count right with a sensible buffer, place each favour consistently, and order well ahead of the day. The etiquette looks after itself once the logistics do.

The case for a mixed collection is simple. It sidesteps the guesswork of a single flavour, it gives him range to work through rather than a box finished in one sitting, and it reads as generous without needing an excuse. Birthdays, a new job, Father's Day, a thank you, or no occasion at all: a large box covers the lot, which makes it the reliable default when you are not sure what else to choose.

Provenance makes any of these feel more deliberate. Lily O'Brien's has handcrafted its chocolates in Newbridge, Co. Kildare since Mary Ann O'Brien founded the brand in 1992, so even a modest box carries a bit of story you can nod to. A gift that comes from somewhere specific always reads as more chosen than one that does not.

Presentation is worth a moment. A neutral, tidy box works across relationships, from a close friend to a professional contact you would rather not overstep with. It also spares you the guesswork of taste and colour that trips up more decorative gifts.

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.

Provenance gives the gift a bit of weight. Lily O'Brien's has handcrafted its chocolates in Newbridge, Co. Kildare since 1992, so a large box arrives as something made with care rather than grabbed off a shelf. It is a detail worth mentioning as you hand it over, since a gift that comes from somewhere specific always feels more considered.