New babies and christenings bring a run of gifts aimed squarely at the child, which is lovely and also slightly misses the people doing the hard work. A chocolate gift, especially a personalised one, quietly addresses the parents and the wider family at a point when a small kindness lands well.

You can find out more via individually wrapped chocolates.

Provenance helps here, because a gift with a story behind it is easier to give and easier to receive. Lily O'Brien's has handcrafted its chocolates in Newbridge, Co. Kildare since Mary Ann O'Brien founded the brand in 1992, and it holds BRC Grade A+ accreditation for its production. That is the kind of detail a recipient notices and a sender can mention without overselling.

Anniversaries come in a range of sizes, and a gift that fits a first year rarely fits a fortieth. Chocolate scales neatly across all of them, provided you match the collection and its personalisation to the milestone you are actually marking.

One honest point that applies to any recipient. If he asks about ingredients or dietary suitability, point him to the published product information rather than reassuring him yourself.

A housewarming gift has a narrow brief. It should suit a home the owners are still arranging, it should not add to the pile of things they have to find space for, and it should feel chosen rather than grabbed on the way over. Chocolate meets all three, which is why a hamper or a share bag tends to work better than another candle or a plant that needs looking after.