Choose individually wrapped chocolates if you want to hand them out without portioning them yourself. Choose aniseed sprinkles if you want to decorate cupcakes, crispbreads or yoghurt: they’re a topping, not a box of chocolates. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’ll actually be serving.
If children have different allergies, you’ll want to check each product individually. That applies to both the chocolate and any aniseed sprinkles on a homemade treat. Ask in advance what the children need to avoid, and read the packaging before handing anything out.
If you don’t want to cut or wrap anything yourself, individually wrapped chocolates are a practical option. For example, Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped bars in its Merci Gift Box; check that the quantity is right for your group.
If you’re making cupcakes or serving crispbread or yoghurt, you can use aniseed sprinkles as a topping. Albert Heijn suggests these uses for De Ruijter Feestmuisjes. You’ll also need a base product and will have to prepare the portions yourself.
Best if: you’re looking for a ready-to-enjoy treat that children can take home or share.
The trade-off: a box of individually wrapped chocolates takes less preparation than an assortment to share, but you’ll need to check the ingredients for each product you choose.
Best if: you’re making your own treat and want to decorate it.
The trade-off: aniseed sprinkles aren’t a substitute for individually wrapped chocolates; you’ll need to provide the base product and portion it yourself.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Ask which ingredients the children need to avoid, then check the allergen information on the packaging for the exact product you’ve chosen. | If not every child can eat the same things, I want to know which treat is suitable for each child before handing anything out. For around 29% of consumers, checking for allergens is the top priority. |
| Serving | Count the individual pieces or work out in advance how many portions you can make from an assortment; don’t just look at the total weight. | If all the children are receiving something at the same time, I want to have enough portions without extra preparation. Easy serving is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Party style | Choose between individual chocolate treats and aniseed sprinkles for a base product you prepare yourself. | I want to decorate cupcakes or another treat myself, and I’m happy to put in the preparation time. For around 21% of consumers, this homemade presentation is the main reason for choosing this option. |
| Quantity | Match the number of planned portions to the children and any adults accompanying them; if you’re using aniseed sprinkles, remember to include the base product too. | For a larger group, I want to make sure there’s enough for everyone. Having enough portions is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes are sugar-coated aniseed seeds for toppings such as crispbread, yoghurt and cupcakes. They aren’t a box of individually wrapped chocolate treats in their own right.
First decide whether you want to hand out a ready-made treat or decorate something yourself.
If you’re making a treat with aniseed sprinkles, you’ll also need a base product and time to prepare the portions.
Different chocolates in the same box can contain different ingredients. For its Celebrations Chocolade Mix 340 g, Jumbo lists milk, peanuts, egg, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other ingredients.
Ask about allergies in advance and check the current packaging for the product you’re serving. Check any toppings separately too.
The total weight doesn’t tell you how many individual treats you can hand out. Albert Heijn lists 32 wrapped bars in its Merci Gift Box; with an assortment to share, you’ll need to portion it yourself.
Count the pieces or plan the portions based on the number of children and adults accompanying them.
Not every box of chocolates is an obvious choice for a children’s party. According to PLUS’s product information, Belchic cream pralines contain 0.3% alcohol. PLUS also says to store them in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C.
Before serving chocolates to children, check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Feestmuisjes for decorating homemade treats.
Product information for both Feestmuisjes and chocolate gifts.
Product information for aniseed sprinkles and a chocolate assortment to share.
Product information for chocolates and chocolate gifts.
Pralines in a range of varieties, including chocolate hearts and cream truffles.
Chocolates for sharing from a box.
These are chocolate options to hand out or share, not aniseed sprinkles for decorating a homemade treat. Compare the packaging and number of portions with your plans, and check the allergen information on the packaging.
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A chocolate wafer snack to hand out if the flavour suits your group. Check the packaging you buy to see how the nine pieces are wrapped and which ingredients and allergens are listed.
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A chocolate assortment for sharing. Check how many portions you can make, how the chocolate is wrapped and which allergens are listed on the packaging.
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An option if you want to hand out chocolate wafer snacks with pistachio. The product name lists ten pieces of 12.5 g each; check how they’re individually wrapped and read the full ingredients and allergen information before serving.
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A box of chocolates to share if you decide in advance how many pieces each child will get. Check the number of bars, how they’re wrapped and the allergens listed on the box you buy.
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A box of chocolates for offering a selection of flavours. If each child is having their own portion, check how many chocolates there are and how they’re wrapped. Also read the latest allergen information.
Not if you want to hand out individual chocolates. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes are intended as a topping for things such as crispbread, yoghurt or cupcakes; you’ll need to prepare and portion the treats yourself.
Yes. Check the packaging of the product you’ll actually be serving, and ask in advance about any allergies in the group. Your Europe explains that allergens in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
You can’t tell just from the type of packaging. For its Celebrations Chocolade Mix 340 g, Jumbo lists milk, peanuts, egg, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other ingredients. Check the product you choose against the children’s allergies.
Follow the instructions on the packaging you buy. PLUS says Belchic cream pralines should be stored in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other chocolates without checking.
