Anyone looking to take a gift
Whether it’s a thank-you, a birthday or a visit, you’ll want a box you can hand over with confidence. Before deciding whether it needs extra wrapping, consider the outer packaging, contents and range of flavours.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone looking to share chocolate
When you’re visiting someone, at the office or having a coffee, it’s worth checking how many pieces are in the pack and whether people can choose from different flavours. If it matters for your occasion, check whether the pieces are individually wrapped.
Anyone keeping allergens in mind
If you’re buying for someone with a known allergy, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the exact packaging. A brand name or picture of the box isn’t enough.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re buying a gift, something to share or a treat to have with coffee. Then compare the packaging and contents of products that fit the bill.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift presentation | Check the outer packaging and net weight of the product you’ve chosen. | For a thank-you gift, I want to be able to hand over the box without the packaging detracting from the gesture. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Variety and sharing | Compare the flavours listed, the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped. | If I’m taking something to share with visitors or colleagues, I want several people to be able to choose and easily pick up a piece. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging, including any warnings about possible traces. | If the recipient has a known allergy, I need to be able to check whether this particular product is suitable. Around 21% of consumers put this check first. |
| Something to have with coffee | Decide whether you’re looking for a chocolate gift or a casual treat, then check the packaging and contents. | For a relaxed coffee break, I’m more likely to look for something to serve alongside it than a gift box. This is the main need for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming an assorted box is suitable for everyone without checking the label
An assortment can contain different ingredients in each flavour. Jumbo lists almonds, hazelnuts, lactose, milk and soya, among other ingredients, in a Merci assorted box; this information applies to that specific product.
Just before buying, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging of the product you’re actually taking with you.
-
Treating biscuits and a box of chocolates as interchangeable
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee, among other occasions. A box of assorted chocolates serves a different purpose when the gift itself is the main focus.
Choose according to the occasion: a casual treat with coffee, or a chocolate gift whose presentation you’ll also want to consider.
-
Assuming a shop product will always be available for a particular occasion
Lidl lists the handmade pralines mentioned here as an in-store product. Whether the version you want is available may depend on the store and the time of your visit.
Check availability and the packaging in store before relying on those particular pralines.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Its online selection of chocolate gifts features different brands and box sizes.
- You can compare gift packaging and sizes within one category.
- Check the contents and packaging of your chosen product on the current product page.
Jumbo
Its online chocolate gift category includes assorted boxes and chocolate mixes.
- Product pages can help you compare weights and quantities, as with the Merci gift box listed here.
- The ingredients and allergen information for one box won’t necessarily apply to another version.
Lidl
An in-store option for products including handmade pralines, such as a praline selection and cream truffles.
- You can check the actual packaging when you visit a store.
- The pralines mentioned are listed as an in-store product; check whether the version you want is available at the time.
ALDI
As well as chocolate and biscuits, ALDI lists a Merci gift option and pralines from its Choceur range.
- When doing your shopping, you can see whether a box in store is right for the occasion.
- Assess the gift presentation, contents and ingredients of each product rather than relying on the category description.
Lotus Biscoff
A biscuit that Lotus Bakeries promotes for enjoying with coffee, among other occasions.
- A familiar option if you’re specifically looking for biscuits to have with coffee.
- It’s still a biscuit product; check the packaging separately if you’d like to give it as a gift.
Chocolate for gifting and sharing at Joybuy
These products range from chocolate assortments to a bag of mini bars to share. If you’re mainly looking for a gift to hand over as it is, check the outer packaging separately; a sharing pack isn’t automatically a gift box.
Image unavailable
Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
For anyone who’d like to offer a choice of chocolate flavours or share the contents. The pack described contains six small bars, weighing 288 g in total, with dark and milk chocolate. Check the outer packaging if you want to give the box as a gift without wrapping it.
The ingredients information includes almonds, eggs, hazelnuts, milk and soya, among other ingredients. If you have an allergy, check the exact packaging.
Image unavailable
Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted 200 g
For a chocolate treat with a range of flavours. This 200 g truffle assortment lists milk, dark and white chocolate, as well as hazelnut chocolate. Check the packaging for the number of pieces and presentation if you’re planning to give the cornet as a gift.
The ingredients information includes milk, soya, barley and hazelnut, among other ingredients. If you have an allergy, check the exact packaging.
Image unavailable
Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A smaller chocolate collection for a thank-you gift where a choice of flavours matters. The 125 g product described combines filled and unfilled chocolate specialities in seven flavours; the proportions of each flavour may vary. Check the outer packaging if you’d like to hand it over as it is.
The ingredients information includes milk, almonds, hazelnuts, soya and wheat, among other ingredients, and mentions possible traces of peanuts. Check the exact packaging.
Image unavailable
Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
Designed for sharing chocolate. The pack described weighs 143 g and contains a selection of Milka flavours. If the exact mix of flavours and number of pieces matter to your group, check the packaging. Assess the presentation separately if you’re buying it as a gift.
The ingredients information includes milk, nuts, wheat and soya, among other ingredients. If you have an allergy, read the exact packaging.
Image unavailable
KitKat Mini Milk Chocolate Sharing Bag 284 g
For sharing chocolate with visitors or during a break. The 284 g bag described contains 17 individually wrapped mini milk chocolate and wafer bars. It’s a sharing pack, so check the presentation separately if you’re looking for a gift.
The ingredients information includes milk and wheat. Check the exact packaging if allergens are a concern.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose biscuits instead of a box of chocolates?
Choose biscuits if you’re mainly looking for something to have with coffee or tea. Lotus Bakeries promotes Biscoff for occasions including coffee breaks. If the packaging itself is meant to be part of the gift, you’re better off assessing a dedicated box of chocolates for its presentation and contents.
Is the front of a box of chocolates enough to check for allergens?
No. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels. If you’re buying for someone with a known allergy, also check any warnings about possible traces.
How can I tell if a box of chocolates is big enough to share?
Compare the number of pieces with the number of people you’re taking it for, and check the net weight and whether the pieces are individually wrapped. For example, Jumbo lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in its 400 g Merci Luxe Gift Box. Check those numbers again for the version you choose.
Can I assume a product listed online will be available in store?
If you need something for a particular occasion, don’t count on it being in stock without checking the latest store information. Lidl lists its handmade pralines mentioned here as an in-store product. Check with your chosen store and make sure the packaging suits the gift you have in mind.