Informal hosts
You want to serve something with coffee or tea without much preparation. Easy-to-serve portions matter more than the look of a gift box.
Which option is right for you?
Thank-you gift-givers
You’re taking something for a host or a group and want the packaging to be part of the gesture. A box of chocolates with a selection of flavours could work well, provided you also consider the people receiving it.
Allergy-conscious hosts
You’re choosing something for someone with a food allergy, or for a group whose dietary requirements you don’t know. The ingredients and any may-contain warnings on the exact pack matter more than whether you choose biscuits or chocolate.
What should you look for when choosing?
Biscuits
Choose these: if you mainly want something easy to serve with an informal drink.
The trade-off: a standard pack of biscuits puts less emphasis on the gift-giving gesture. Check that the pack you choose suits the way you plan to serve them.
Box of chocolates
Choose this: if saying thank you or offering a choice of flavours is the main priority.
The trade-off: an assortment means checking the ingredients in each variety and keeping the chocolates protected from heat while you’re on your way.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift and flavours | Check which flavours are in the box and whether the packaging is suitable for a thank-you gift. | If I want to thank someone, I look for packaging I can hand over as a gift and flavours the recipient can choose from. For around 27% of consumers, the gift appeal comes first. |
| Portions and sharing | Compare the number of pieces and how they’re individually packaged, not just the total weight. | For an informal coffee, I want to be able to serve something without having to portion it out first. Ease of sharing matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Heat and transport | Read the storage advice and consider how long the chocolate might be in transit or out in the heat. | On a warm day, I want to be able to take a box of chocolates with me and present it neatly. Transport is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list and any may-contain warnings on the exact pack. | If I’m sharing something with someone who has a food allergy, I need to know what’s in the product I’ve chosen. For around 20% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a box of chocolates is suitable for everyone
Different flavours can also mean different ingredients. For example, merci says that Petits may contain peanuts, other nuts and egg.
If you know someone has an allergy, ask which ingredients they need to avoid and read the label on the exact box you plan to give them.
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Taking chocolate out well in advance on a warm day
Heat can affect how chocolate looks. According to the Voedingscentrum, a white bloom on chocolate is harmless, but its appearance may matter if you’re giving it as a gift.
Follow the storage advice on the pack, keep it out of direct sunlight and only take the box with you shortly before you leave.
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Comparing only the total weight
The weight doesn’t tell you how many individual portions you can serve. That difference becomes particularly noticeable when several people want something with their drinks.
Compare the number of pieces and the portion packaging with the number of people you’re taking something for.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Biscuits for a coffee or tea break. Lotus Bakeries itself presents Biscoff as a coffee accompaniment.
- Albert Heijn lists a specific Lotus Biscoff variety as six packs of three biscuits each. Check the portion sizes separately for other varieties.
- Ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties. If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, don’t rely on the brand name alone.
merci
Chocolate assortments where saying thank you and offering a choice of flavours take centre stage.
- Jumbo describes a specific merci assortment box containing eight varieties of chocolate and 20 individually wrapped bars.
- The contents vary from box to box. If someone has an allergy, check the ingredients and any may-contain warnings on the pack you’ve chosen.
Jumbo
A retailer where you can browse biscuits and chocolates or pralines as separate product categories.
- The categories make it easy to compare packaging, flavours and the number of pieces in each specific product.
- Check that the specific product is available before counting on being able to take it with you.
Biscuits and chocolate for the occasion
These products include biscuits for an informal drink and chocolate that could make a suitable thank-you gift. Within each category, choose based on the packaging you want to share, the ingredients and the conditions during your journey.
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Lu Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits, 150 g
A biscuit option if you want to serve something with coffee or tea. Before sharing, check how many portions the pack contains and, if anyone has an allergy, read the current label.
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Hellema Smoeltjes speculaas biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g
A good choice for an informal get-together if you want to match the number of biscuits to your group in advance. The pack contains 8 pieces and weighs 200 g; if you’re taking it with you, check how well it reseals once opened.
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merci Petits chocolate assortment, 125 g
A chocolate assortment to consider as a small thank-you gift. The pack weighs 125 g; check how many pieces it contains before sharing and, if anyone has an allergy, check the current ingredients and any may-contain warnings.
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Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits, 250 g
A biscuit option if you want to serve something with coffee. The pack weighs 250 g; if you plan to hand them out in portions while you’re on your way, check how the biscuits are packaged.
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Milka Thank You pralines with milk cream, 110 g
A box of pralines to consider when the gift itself is the priority. The pack weighs 110 g; check how many pralines it contains if you want to share them, and keep the chocolate away from heat.
Frequently asked questions
What should I take for an informal coffee on a terrace?
Individually portioned biscuits are a practical choice if you mainly want to serve something with coffee straight away. If you want to thank someone and presentation matters more, consider a box of chocolates and check how you can store it while you’re on your way.
How should I transport a box of chocolates on a warm day?
Follow the storage advice on the box, keep it out of direct sunlight and take the chocolate with you as shortly before leaving as possible. According to the Voedingscentrum, a white bloom on chocolate is harmless, although it can affect its appearance.
Can I give someone with an allergy a mixed box of chocolates?
Only if you’ve checked the ingredients and any may-contain warnings on the exact box against the allergens that person needs to avoid. Don’t rely on the brand name or assume that every piece in an assortment has the same ingredients.
Can I ask about allergens in unpackaged treats on a terrace?
Yes. According to the European Commission, EU rules also require allergen information for non-prepacked food, including food served in cafés and restaurants. If you’re buying or being served something there, ask specifically about the allergens that are relevant to you.