Choose a box of chocolates or pralines if you want to try different fillings together during your TV night. Individually wrapped chocolates are a good choice if everyone wants to be able to help themselves easily. Prefer a crunchy biscuit? Lotus Biscoff is another snack option, not a box of chocolates. Whatever you choose, check the contents and, if anyone has an allergy, the current packaging label.
Who is each option best for?
A small group who want to try different chocolates together
If several viewers want to try different types of chocolate or fillings, check what’s actually inside a box of chocolates or pralines. The ranges at Jumbo and Albert Heijn show that the selection and pack sizes vary.
Viewers who want to share easily
If you want to be able to grab a piece while watching without needing a serving dish, individually wrapped chocolates are an option. For example, the merci Assorted Box described by Jumbo contains individually wrapped bars; check that the box you choose has this feature.
Shoppers comparing contents and labels
If the amount matters for your group, compare the net weight of similar products. If anyone has an allergy, also read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want chocolate or a crunchy biscuit. If you opt for chocolate, then choose between tasting together and helping yourselves to individual pieces.
| What to consider |
What to check before buying |
Who is it important to? |
| Variety of flavours |
Check which types of chocolate and fillings are in the box; don’t choose biscuits as a substitute for an assortment of chocolates. |
If we want to taste them together, I look for a box where we don’t all have to choose the same flavour. This variety is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Easy to share |
Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped and how many the box contains. |
While we’re watching, I want to be able to grab a piece without first putting an open box on the table. Around 29% of consumers prioritise easy sharing. |
| Quantity |
Compare the net weight of similar products and check that the pack size suits your group. |
For several viewers, I want to be able to tell in advance whether the box contains enough. Around 21% of consumers give quantity the most weight. |
| Ingredients and allergens |
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging, including for assortments with different fillings. |
If someone has an allergy, I want to know before sharing whether they can eat anything from the box. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a gift box is automatically handy for the sofa
A box of loose pralines calls for a different way of serving them from individually wrapped chocolates. The packaging doesn’t tell you how easy it will be for everyone to help themselves while watching.
First decide whether you want to taste chocolates together from an open box or hand out individual pieces. Then check the packaging.
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Relying on the product name when someone has an allergy
A name such as chocolate mix or praline box doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in every piece. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information in the ingredients list of prepacked foods.
Before buying or serving, read the label on that exact pack, including any warnings about other allergens.
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Assuming a white coating means the chocolate has gone off
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a white coating on chocolate is fat rising to the surface; this is not harmful in itself.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and don’t judge a product solely by a white coating.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s chocolates and pralines range includes both own-brand products and boxes from other brands.
- The packs shown come in various sizes, so you can look for one that suits your group.
- Check the contents and current availability of the specific box before choosing.
Jumbo
Online, Jumbo separates chocolates and pralines from chocolate gifts, including boxes of individually wrapped pieces.
- You can compare different types of packaging side by side.
- The number of pieces, ingredients and allergens vary by product; check the information for the box you choose.
Choceur
ALDI Netherlands describes Choceur pralines, 300 g, as milk chocolate with a crunchy filling.
- The stated weight helps you choose a suitable quantity.
- Check current availability and the label for this specific product.
Moser Roth
ALDI Netherlands describes a 400 g assortment of Moser Roth Belgian chocolates with creamy fillings.
- The stated quantity gives you a specific pack size to consider for several viewers.
- Check which fillings are in the specific box; this assortment is not representative of the whole brand.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.
- A biscuit option if you’d rather not have filled chocolates in front of the TV.
- Biscuits don’t offer the variety of chocolates or praline fillings found in an assortment.
Products for different snack choices
These Joybuy products include boxes of chocolates, a box of pralines and a biscuit alternative. First choose the type of snack that suits your TV night, then check the product contents and label.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A box of chocolates to share during a TV night. Check the packaging to see which flavours are inside, and read the current label if anyone has an allergy.
View on Joybuy
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A box of speciality chocolates to try with a small group. Check the packaging to see how many pieces it contains and whether they’re individually wrapped, if easy sharing matters to you.
View on Joybuy
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
An assortment of chocolates for sharing. Check the packaging to see which varieties and how many pieces you get, and check the ingredients if anyone has an allergy.
View on Joybuy
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Milka Thank You Pralines Milk Cream 110 g
For anyone who wants to share pralines with a milk cream filling during a TV night, rather than seeking out a variety of flavours. Check the number of pieces and the allergen information on the packaging.
View on Joybuy
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie 250 g
A biscuit alternative for anyone who’d rather enjoy something crunchy on the sofa than pralines. This isn’t a box of chocolates; if anyone has an allergy, check the ingredients on the packaging.
View on Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose pralines or individually wrapped chocolates?
Choose pralines if you want to try different fillings together, and individually wrapped chocolates if everyone needs to be able to grab a piece easily. For example, Jumbo describes a merci Assorted Box with 20 individually wrapped bars in eight varieties. For other boxes, check the contents and packaging yourself.
Can I rely on the name of the box of chocolates if someone has an allergy?
No. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the box you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens are listed in the ingredients list of prepacked foods. With an assortment, don’t assume that every piece contains the same ingredients.
What does a white coating on a chocolate mean?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a white coating is fat rising to the surface and is not harmful in itself. Follow the storage instructions on the chocolates’ packaging.