It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that there is no Christmas without chocolate. Festive rules basically state that there has to be at least one chocolate grazing point at any given time, which means it’s also a failsafe gift.

Forget your standard square, however, and get creative cacao-style – Hotel Chocolat has dreamt up an entire range that gives the ultimate crowd-pleaser an imaginative twist.

The Grand Wreath Box is a Christmas centrepiece that also happens to contain a not-so-modest kilo of chocolate, including six mini wreaths and 84 individual chocolates. Think classics like Ultimate Milk and Salted Caramel nestled next to festive flavours like Mulled Wine, Winter Sidecar, Treacle Tart and the asymmetrical Supernova choccies that look like edible tree decorations.

Then, to add some theatre to your present swapping, the Rather Large Cracker is the real showstopper. Forget cling-film ‘magic’ fish and sad paperclips, this functioning two-foot cracker has a real snap and is stuffed full of festive truffles, from tipsy gin to caramel penguins. Fret not, the cracker even comes with jokes and hats to make sure you don’t lose the festive feel.

Meanwhile, for the pudding lovers looking to upgrade on leftover trifle, the Winter Puddings collection borrows from classics like cheesecake and crumble as well as a festive spin on Eton Mess - all crafted imaginatively with more cacao and less sugar.

Christmas expert and trend forecaster Hannah Bartlett vouches for creating a new tradition with a ‘Christmas Eve box’ – the perfect place to slip in a box of Winter Pudding treats.

“It can be filled with traditions and items that are rediscovered year after year, as well as mugs filled with little treats,” she recommends.

How to have a more imaginative festive period, from gifting to decorations