For a coffee station where colleagues can help themselves, individually wrapped biscuits are a practical choice. An assorted box of chocolates is better suited to a thank-you or a smaller treat where presentation matters. In either case, check how many portions can be handed out and review the allergens on the packaging you buy. The box or biscuit alone won’t tell you whether everyone can join in.
If lots of colleagues help themselves to something with their tea or coffee, countable individual portions matter more than gift packaging. For example, Lotus Biscoff offers a dispenser designed for this kind of self-service.
For a leaving do, anniversary or thank-you, how you present the treat matters too. An assorted box of chocolates could be a good fit, provided there are enough pieces for everyone attending.
If you’re buying for a mixed team, colleagues need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens on the specific packaging. A vegan label doesn’t remove the need to check.
Best for: a regular tea or coffee break where colleagues help themselves. Lotus Biscoff offers a dispenser containing 150 individually wrapped biscuits for this purpose.
Bear in mind: the Biscoff dispenser reviewed lists gluten and soya; even with a vegan product, you still need to check the allergens.
Best for: a thank-you, leaving do or smaller occasion where presentation and a choice of flavours matter. According to Albert Heijn, the 400 g Merci Gift Box contains 32 individually wrapped chocolates.
Bear in mind: a chocolate assortment may contain several allergens. Also check that there are enough pieces for your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging. | If I’m buying for colleagues with different dietary needs, I want them to be able to check the label before taking anything. For around 33% of consumers, checking for allergens is the top priority. |
| Self-service | Check how many individual portions there are and whether colleagues can take them without any preparation. | For a coffee station, I want to put out something colleagues can easily help themselves to. Ease of serving comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Occasion | Compare the number of pieces and the assortment with the number of people attending and the type of occasion. | For a leaving do or thank-you, I want a treat I can present as such without leaving anyone out. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the occasion and presentation. |
| Quantity and availability | Check the weight, the number of portions you can hand out, and current ordering or collection options. | If I’m buying for a team, there needs to be enough for everyone expected to attend at the planned time. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
A vegan label doesn’t mean a product is free from allergens. The Lotus Biscoff dispenser reviewed is labelled vegan, but also lists gluten and soya.
Check dietary claims and allergens separately using the packaging you’ll be handing out.
Gift packaging doesn’t tell you how many colleagues can take an individual portion. Albert Heijn lists 32 wrapped chocolates in the 400 g Merci Gift Box; a different size may not contain the same number.
First count how many people are likely to attend, then check the number of portions in the exact box you plan to buy.
A product you’ve seen online before may not be available on the day you want to order or collect it. This is especially inconvenient if the treat is for a fixed office occasion.
Shortly before the planned occasion, check whether you can order, have it delivered or collect it. Decide in advance on an alternative that would also suit the group.
The product range reviewed includes a dispenser with 150 individually wrapped biscuits, designed for places such as offices and catering venues.
According to Albert Heijn, the 400 g Gift Box reviewed is a chocolate assortment containing 32 individually wrapped chocolates.
This ALDI chocolate brand includes chocolates, truffles and dark chocolate bars, among other products.
The 196 g sharing pack reviewed combines a selection of chocolate and biscuit products.
This selection of Joybuy products includes biscuits, individually portioned chocolate and wafer snacks, and a small box of chocolates. Compare the pack size with the number of colleagues and check the current packaging before handing anything out.
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A biscuit option to serve with tea or coffee. If you’re buying for a group, compare the number of individual portions; before handing them out, also check the label for milk, wheat, soya and possible nuts.
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The twelve packs give you a clear starting point if you want to share biscuits among several colleagues. Check the current packaging for milk, wheat and soya before handing them out.
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A chocolate and wafer snack with a stated quantity of nine pieces, so you can compare that with the number of people expected. Read the full ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before handing them out.
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A small chocolate collection to consider as a thank-you. Check how many pieces are in the box you choose if everyone needs to be able to take one; also check the current label for milk, nuts, soya, wheat and possible peanuts.
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The ten 12,5 g portions give you a clear option for a small group. For this pistachio and milk chocolate snack, check the full allergen information and storage advice on the current packaging.
Yes. Check the allergens on the packaging you’re actually handing out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. This information helps colleagues make an informed choice for themselves.
No. Vegan and allergen-free are different things. Lotus Biscoff labels the dispenser reviewed as vegan, while the product information lists gluten and soya. Always check the allergen information too.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and keep the chocolate away from heat. If you’re buying the treats well in advance, check the best-before date too.
Use a product page to help you decide, but check the current packaging before handing the product out. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients and allergen information can change when a product is updated.
