People buying a New Year’s Eve gift
You’re looking for a box you can give as it is, with a selection of chocolates for the recipient to choose from.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts who want to share treats
You want to offer chocolate to several people and check in advance which flavours and allergens are in the pack.
Shoppers looking for something to serve
You’re looking for sliced spiced cake to have with coffee or as a snack, rather than a box of chocolates to give as a gift.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re buying a gift, something to share or a cake to put on the table. Then compare the packaging and ingredients of products that suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gifting and variety | Check whether it’s a gift box or an assortment, and what types it contains. | I want to give something the recipient can choose from, without having to put together a selection myself. This is the top priority for an estimated 40% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the exact packaging. | When I’m buying for someone else, I want to check first whether the ingredients are suitable for them. This is the biggest concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Sharing or serving | Compare the number of pieces or slices, the packaging and the storage instructions. | For something to have with coffee, I’m looking for a product that’s easy to put out or share; gift packaging matters less. This is the main need for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating spiced cake and chocolate boxes as interchangeable
A chocolate box may be a good choice as a gift or as an assortment to share. Sliced spiced cake is a different type of product, for serving or enjoying as a snack.
Decide what you want to give or serve before comparing flavours and packaging.
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Judging an assortment by its outer packaging alone
Different chocolates in the same box can contain different ingredients. The merci Assorti Doos and Lindt LINDOR mix described by Jumbo list several allergens.
For the recipient’s sake, check the current ingredients list, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the box you choose.
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Assuming spiced cake contains iodine based on its name
The product category doesn’t tell you whether a particular spiced cake was made with iodine-enriched baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging before drawing conclusions about the iodine content of that cake.
Brands and product ranges to consider
merci
The 250 g merci Chocolade Assorti Doos is an example of a box to give as a gift or share with others.
- According to Jumbo, the box contains 20 individually wrapped bars in eight chocolate varieties.
- The information for this box lists ingredients including milk, almonds, hazelnuts and soya; check the warnings on the packaging you choose, too.
Lindt LINDOR
The Lindt LINDOR mix reviewed is an assortment of chocolates in several varieties.
- The mix includes milk, white, hazelnut and dark chocolate varieties.
- Jumbo lists milk, nuts, soya and barley among the allergens in this mix.
Ferrero Rocher
The pack reviewed contains one style of chocolate, with a wafer and hazelnut filling.
- The pack described by Jumbo contains 16 pieces and weighs 200 g.
- Jumbo lists hazelnuts, milk, soya and wheat for this pack.
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg Naturel Gesneden is a spiced cake option to serve, rather than a chocolate box to give as a gift.
- Peijnenburg describes this pack as 550 g of sliced spiced cake, with 18 slices.
- This variety contains rye flour; check the ingredients on each pack rather than assuming they’re the same across all Peijnenburg varieties.
Products for gifting or the coffee table
This selection includes chocolate assortments for a gift or sharing, as well as sliced spiced cake to serve. First choose the type of product that suits your New Year’s Eve plans, then check the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A chocolate gift for anyone looking to give a box or share some chocolate.
Pack weight: 288 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before giving it to someone.
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g'woon sliced spiced cake 485 g
Sliced spiced cake for anyone looking to serve cake rather than give a chocolate box as a gift.
Pack weight: 485 g. Check the ingredients if the cake is for someone with dietary requirements.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A chocolate collection for anyone looking to give a box as a gift.
Pack weight: 125 g. Check the ingredients for this Petits variety; information about other merci boxes doesn’t necessarily apply to this product.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted 385 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone looking to put chocolate out to share or give as a gift.
Pack weight: 385 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose if they’re important to anyone in your group.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone looking to offer something to share.
Pack weight: 143 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before sharing the assortment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chocolate box suitable for sharing with a group?
That depends on the ingredients and the people you’re sharing with. Check the allergens on the exact packaging: the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on labels, and chocolate assortments may contain milk, nuts, soya or cereals containing gluten.
Do the rules on baker’s salt mean that all spiced cake contains iodine?
No. General rules on baker’s salt don’t mean that every spiced cake contains iodine. For a specific product, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.
How should I store chocolates left over after New Year’s Eve?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging, including after opening the box. Also check the best-before date before serving any leftover chocolate later.