If you’re giving something to one household, choose a chocolate box with packaging and contents suited to the occasion. For a sharing platter, pralines or chocolates with plenty of portions are more practical; biscuits or chocolate with speculoos are better suited to a relaxed coffee break. Whatever you choose, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you actually buy.
The main difference is what you want to do with the packaging: give it as a gift, put it out for guests or serve it with coffee.
If you’re handing over the box as a gift, pay attention to its appearance and exactly what’s inside. Albert Heijn advises customers buying its chocolate praline gift pack to read the packaging, as details such as ingredients and allergen information can change.
If guests will help themselves, the number of portions and choice of flavours matter. Jumbo offers pralines and chocolates in a range of pack sizes; before serving, check the ingredients and allergens in the selection you’ve chosen.
A biscuit or chocolate with speculoos can be served with coffee or tea without taking the place of a box of chocolates given as a gift. Jumbo lists both Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits and chocolate varieties with speculoos.
First decide whether the chocolate is a gift or something to share. Then check the contents, label and availability of the pack you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check | Especially important for |
|---|---|---|
| Gift presentation | Check whether it’s gift-wrapped and exactly what’s inside. A chocolate selection doesn’t automatically come presented as a gift. | If I’m giving something to one household, I want a box I can hand over as it is. Around 31% of consumers put gift presentation first. |
| Portions and variety | Compare the net weight, the number of pieces if stated, and the types of pralines or chocolates. | For a platter guests can help themselves to, I want plenty of portions and a range of flavours. This is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging, especially for filled chocolates and biscuits. | If guests need to avoid allergens, I want to know which products are suitable for them before serving. This check comes first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check whether the item is available in store or online, and consider an alternative product type if necessary. | If you’re doing your New Year shopping at the last minute, you don’t want to rely entirely on one seasonal item. That’s why around 15% of consumers prioritise planning their purchases. |
When checking for allergens, the packaging is what matters: the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. Albert Heijn also points out that online product information can change.
A product’s recipe or allergen information can change. This matters when you’re serving chocolate, filled pralines or biscuits to guests.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you actually buy. Albert Heijn recommends the same check for its chocolate praline gift pack.
Weight alone doesn’t tell you how many pieces or different flavours are in a box. A larger pack may also be less suitable as a personal gift.
First decide whether you’re giving the box as a gift or putting its contents on a platter. Then compare the net weight, the stated number of pieces, the varieties and the ingredients.
An item sold only in store may not be available when you do your New Year shopping. Lidl states that its handmade pralines are an in-store item.
Check availability shortly before you buy, and consider whether another selection of chocolates would also work for your plans.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a white bloom on chocolate is fat coming to the surface and is not harmful in itself.
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging. Check the chocolate for other signs of spoilage too, rather than judging it by the white bloom alone.
These brands are examples of different product types. Check the packaging and contents of the specific item you’re considering; the brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable as a gift or for sharing.
For a relaxed coffee or tea break with speculoos biscuits or chocolate with speculoos.
For anyone who wants to serve pralines with a variety of fillings on a platter.
A praline option if you’re looking for a box of milk chocolate with a crunchy filling.
A brand to look at if you’re searching for seasonal chocolate.
These Joybuy products are suitable for a small chocolate gift or a platter of pralines. Pay particular attention to the occasion the packaging is intended for, and check the label if you’re sharing the contents with guests.
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A chocolate gift to give or open at a relaxed get-together.
Contents: 288 g. Check the packaging for the flavour varieties and allergens if others will be sharing it.
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A smaller box for a thank-you or a modest chocolate treat with coffee.
Contents: 125 g. Check the packaging if presentation or allergen information is important to the recipient.
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A box of pralines for anyone who wants to put chocolate out on a platter.
Contents: 173 g. Check the number of pieces and the ingredients on the packaging to see whether the box is right for your guests.
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A small chocolate gift if the birthday message suits the recipient. That message may not be right for a general New Year gift.
Contents: 110 g. Read the allergen information on the packaging before sharing the pralines.
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A small box to thank someone around New Year.
Contents: 110 g. Check the number of pieces if you’re sharing the pralines with several guests, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
Yes. Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging you buy, especially for filled chocolates or biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
Use the website as a guide, but check the packaging before serving the product. Albert Heijn notes that details such as ingredients, nutritional and allergen information can change for its chocolate praline gift pack.
Store opened chocolates according to the instructions on the packaging; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened chocolates can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for more than two months. For an unopened box, follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging.
