People buying a small gift
For a holiday visit or a thank-you, they want a box that can be given as a chocolate gift straight away. Presentation and a choice of flavours matter too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The main difference comes down to what you want to give or serve: a gift, something to share, or aniseed sprinkles to enjoy with a snack at home.
People sharing treats during the holiday
At a games afternoon, sleepover or family visit, they want several people to be able to help themselves easily. Individually wrapped chocolates can be a practical option.
Aniseed fans serving something alongside a snack
They use crushed aniseed sprinkles on bread or crispbread, with yoghurt, or as a decoration on cakes. If the gift needs to be chocolate, they’ll also need a chocolate treat.
What should you look for when choosing?
An assorted box as a gift
A good choice when: you want to give a household or host a chocolate gift.
Consider: a selection of different chocolates means you should check the ingredients for the whole box, especially if anyone has allergies.
Individually wrapped chocolates
A good choice when: a small group needs to be able to help themselves during an activity.
Consider: different flavours in a mixed selection may have different ingredients.
Crushed aniseed sprinkles as an extra
A good choice when: you’re serving crispbread, yoghurt or cake to aniseed fans.
Consider: these sprinkles are not a box of chocolates and won’t work as a substitute if chocolate is meant to be the gift.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift presentation | Check whether you’re choosing a box of chocolates or a gift pack, and whether the packaging is suitable for giving as a present. | When I’m visiting someone during the holidays, I want to bring something that’s instantly recognisable as a chocolate gift. For around 45% of consumers, gift presentation comes first. |
| Easy to share | Check the number of pieces and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped; a number of portions on a bag doesn’t automatically mean they’re individually packaged. | At a games afternoon, I want everyone to be able to help themselves without me having to portion out the treats first. For around 33% of consumers, easy sharing is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging, especially for an assortment containing several recipes. | If someone receiving the gift has a known food allergy, I want to be able to check every item before giving them anything. For around 22% of consumers, suitable ingredients are the main concern. |
Common mistakes
-
Thinking crushed aniseed sprinkles are a chocolate treat
Jumbo describes De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as sweetened aniseed sprinkles for things such as bread, crispbread, yoghurt and cakes. If you’re expecting a box of chocolates, this is a different kind of product.
Choose chocolate as the main gift if that’s what you have in mind. Add crushed aniseed sprinkles only if the recipient likes aniseed and they suit the occasion you’re serving them for.
-
Checking just one flavour in a mixed selection
Ingredients can vary between items in an assorted box or a box of mini chocolates. Individual wrappers don’t, on their own, tell you whether the chocolates are suitable for someone with an allergy.
Before giving or sharing the chocolates, check the ingredients and allergens for every flavour on the current packaging.
-
Relying on a product photo alone
A photo doesn’t always show the label information you need to check ingredients, use-by dates and storage requirements.
Check the physical packaging too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what information, including ingredients and applicable storage instructions, should appear on the label of prepacked food.
Brands to consider
These examples show how aniseed sprinkles, an assorted box and individually wrapped mini chocolates can differ. Always check the packaging of the variety you choose.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes is an option if you want to serve aniseed sprinkles with crispbread, yoghurt or cake, rather than buy a box of chocolates.
- The pack described by Jumbo contains 270 g of crushed, sweetened aniseed.
- According to the product information, this variety contains wheat and cereals containing gluten; store it in a dry place.
merci
The merci Chocolade Assorti Doos is an example of a chocolate gift for a small get-together or as a thank-you.
- Jumbo lists a 250 g assorted box among its chocolate gifts.
- The box described contains ingredients including milk, hazelnuts and almonds; if anyone has allergies, check the label on the pack you choose.
Tony's Chocolonely
The Tiny gift box is designed as a chocolate gift to share with a small group.
- According to Tony's Chocolonely, the gift box contains 22 individually wrapped chocolates in 10 flavours.
- As it contains different recipes, it’s important to check the ingredients and any warnings about cross-contamination.
Chocolate and snacks on Joybuy
These products include chocolate packs for a small gift and packs for a casual snack. Check the product type: a sharing bag or a pack of several tubes won’t necessarily serve the same purpose as a box of chocolates.
Image unavailable
Nestle Kitkat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
A chocolate pack for anyone who wants to offer several pieces at snack time.
According to the product name, the pack contains 9 pieces and weighs 104,4 g. Check the best-before date if you’re planning to serve the snacks later, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift for a small get-together or a tasting session with others.
The pack weighs 288 g. Before giving it as a gift, check the flavours, allergens and best-before date on the current box.
Image unavailable
Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
An option if you want to offer several tubes as a holiday snack rather than one assorted gift box.
The pack contains 6 tubes of 34 g. Before sharing, read the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Image unavailable
M&M's Minis Milk Chocolate More To Share, 176 g bag
A bag of chocolate sweets for a casual snack when you want to share from one pack.
The bag weighs 176 g. Don’t treat it as a box of individually wrapped portions, and check the current allergen information.
Image unavailable
merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A box of chocolates for a small thank-you, when gift packaging matters more than a large bag to share.
The pack weighs 125 g. Check the current box for the chocolates and allergens it contains, and check the best-before date.
Frequently asked questions
Can crushed aniseed sprinkles replace a box of chocolates?
No, not if you want to give a chocolate gift. According to Jumbo, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes is aniseed sprinkles for things such as bread, crispbread, yoghurt and cakes; it can be an extra if the recipient likes aniseed.
Which chocolates are handy to share during an activity?
Individually wrapped chocolates are handy when several people need to be able to help themselves. Tony's Chocolonely says its Tiny gift box contains 22 wrapped chocolates in 10 flavours; check that the ingredients in the mixed selection are suitable for the people receiving them.
Do I need to check allergens in crushed aniseed sprinkles too?
Yes, especially if someone has a known food allergy. The De Ruijter variety described by Jumbo contains wheat and cereals containing gluten. Read the label on the pack you’re actually serving.
How should I store a chocolate treat until my holiday visit?
Follow the best-before date and any storage instructions on the packaging of the chocolate you’ve chosen. For crushed aniseed sprinkles, the product information described by Jumbo says to store them in a dry place.
What label information can help me choose a box of chocolates?
Check the ingredients, allergens and best-before date, and follow any storage instructions that apply. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes this information as part of the labelling for prepacked food; for a mixed box, it’s especially important to check the information for every chocolate it contains.