If you’re putting chocolate out for guests
If guests will be helping themselves, the number of individual portions matters more than the total weight of the box. Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped pieces in its 250 g merci assortment box.
Which chocolate box is right for you?
If you need to consider allergies
If you don’t know what your guests need, don’t rely on the flavour name or the picture on the box. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually serving, and check with your guest if you’re unsure.
If you’re looking for a small thank-you gift
For a personal gesture, the presentation may matter more than the number of portions. Albert Heijn, for example, offers smaller chocolate gifts alongside larger boxes; compare the contents if the recipient might want to share the chocolate with others.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the chocolate is mainly for the table or as a thank-you gift. Then check the portions, and always read the label on the pack you’ve chosen if allergies may be a concern.
Individually wrapped assortment box
Ideal for: a coffee table where guests can choose a piece for themselves. Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped pieces in its 250 g merci box; Albert Heijn lists 32 in its 400 g gift box.
Bear in mind: one box contains different types of chocolate, so check the allergen information for the version you’ve chosen.
Mixed sharing pack
Ideal for: a casual bowl of assorted chocolate snacks. PLUS describes its 385 g Celebrations box as a sharing pack.
Bear in mind: ingredients can vary between snacks, so read the label before guests choose from the selection.
Small gift box
Ideal for: a personal thank-you for the host or a small group.
Bear in mind: check how many pieces are in the box if you plan to put it out for all your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging. | If a guest may have an allergy, I want to know what’s in the chocolate before I serve it. This is the main concern when choosing for around 42% of consumers. |
| Portions and ease of sharing | Compare the stated number of pieces with your guest list and check whether they’re individually wrapped. | When I’m hosting a group, I want everyone to be able to help themselves without having to break up the chocolate first. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having enough portions that are easy to pick up. |
| Presentation and purpose | Decide whether the pack is for the coffee table, as a thank-you gift or for both. | If I’m giving the box as a gift, I want the presentation and contents to suit the occasion. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming a varied box is allergy-friendly
More flavours can also mean a wider range of ingredients. The merci and Celebrations assortments described list several allergens and may contain traces of other allergens.
Read the label on the box you’ve chosen, and ask guests what they can eat if you’re unsure.
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Comparing only the total weight
The weight doesn’t tell you how many times guests can help themselves. Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped pieces in its 250 g merci box; Albert Heijn lists 32 in its 400 g gift box.
Compare the number of pieces with the size of your group, and consider whether you want to offer more than one piece per person.
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Overlooking a different pack size
Weight and contents can vary between versions. Jumbo lists a 196 g Celebrations sharing pack as no longer available in its online range, while PLUS describes a 385 g box.
Before buying, check the weight, contents and product information for the exact version you’ve chosen.
Brands to compare
merci
The assortment boxes listed by Jumbo and Albert Heijn are worth comparing if you’re looking for individually wrapped pieces for the coffee table.
- Jumbo lists 20 pieces in its 250 g box; Albert Heijn lists 32 pieces in its 400 g gift box.
- The assortments described contain, or may contain, various allergens. Check the packaging of the version you’ve chosen.
Celebrations
PLUS describes its 385 g assortment mix as a sharing pack for occasions with several guests.
- The pack contains a variety of chocolate snacks.
- The mix described lists milk, peanuts, cereals containing gluten, egg and soya, among other ingredients; also check the warnings on the current label.
Tony's Chocolonely
Albert Heijn offers smaller gift and tasting packs from Tony's Chocolonely, among other options, which are worth comparing if the box is mainly intended as a thank-you gift.
- There are different gift formats to compare for presentation and contents.
- Check the number of portions and the ingredients on your chosen pack before putting it out for guests to share.
Chocolate gifts and sharing packs on Joybuy
These products suit different coffee morning needs: a chocolate gift, an assortment to put out on the table or a small thank-you. Check the number of portions and allergen information on each pack if guests will be sharing.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack – 288 g
A chocolate gift to enjoy with coffee. Check how many individual portions it contains if you’d like to offer some to several guests.
Contents: 288 g. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before serving.
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Celebrations chocolate assortment – 385 g
An assortment to put out on the table for a casual coffee morning. If you’re buying for a group, check how many portions the pack you’ve chosen contains.
Contents: 385 g. If any guests have allergies, check the current label before serving the mix.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack – 143 g
A chocolate assortment to consider for a casual coffee table. If everyone needs to be able to help themselves, compare the number of pieces with your guest list.
Contents: 143 g. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
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merci Petits Chocolate Collection – 125 g
A small box of chocolates to consider as a thank-you gift. If you’d also like to share the contents, check how many pieces are in the box.
Contents: 125 g. If allergies may be a concern, read the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
Frequently asked questions
How much chocolate do I need for a coffee morning?
Start with the number of pieces in the pack and the number of guests, not just the weight. Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped pieces in its 250 g merci box; Albert Heijn lists 32 in its 400 g gift box. Then decide whether you want to offer one piece per person or more.
Can I serve an assortment box if I don’t know my guests’ allergies?
First, check the current packaging and ask guests what they can eat if you’re unsure. The merci and Celebrations assortments described list several allergens or warnings about possible traces; a variety of flavours doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for a particular guest.
Can I rely on the ingredients information on a product page?
Use the product page to compare packs, but read the label on the box you’ve bought before serving. Ingredients and allergen information may vary between versions or change over time.
How should I store the box of chocolates until the coffee morning?
Follow the storage instructions and date on the pack you’ve chosen. Joybuy says that merci Finest Selection, 400 g, should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources and moisture; check the instructions separately for other boxes.