For the major milestones, a fortieth, fiftieth or lilyobriens.ie beyond, the gift is often shared with family, so scale and presentation both matter. A generous collection works as a centrepiece as much as a present, something the wider gathering opens together. A personalised lid marking the number of years gives everyone the reason for the day in a glance.

On dietary questions, and there will be some, point guests to the published ingredient information rather than vouching for suitability yourself. It is the accurate way to answer.

Match hampers to clients, share bags to teams, order in good time, and keep the look consistent. Handled that way, corporate chocolate does its quiet job of maintaining a relationship without asking much of you.

A quick word on dietary needs. Guests will ask, so check the ingredient information published for each product and pass people to that detail rather than making assurances yourself. It is the honest way to handle it and it saves awkward conversations on the day.

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 personalised touch suits the occasion well. A message marking the years of service, or simply the leaver's name, turns the hamper into a keepsake of the day rather than a generic box. Keep any message warm and brief, allow lead time for the personalisation, and order earlier still if the retirement falls near Christmas.