If you’re looking for a small thank-you gift
A box with a selection of chocolates gives one recipient a choice when you’re not sure what they like. Do check that the ingredients are suitable for them.
Which packaging works best for different occasions?
First decide whether the chocolate is for one person or for everyone to share. If you know someone has an allergy, checking the exact packaging takes priority over choosing a flavour or a box.
If you want to hand out chocolate
Small portions or individually wrapped chocolates are practical when you’re catering for several people. Check the number of pieces and the packaging before choosing a box.
If you need to consider allergens
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy or dietary requirement, read the label on the product you’re actually giving them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a personal gift or chocolate to share. Then check what’s inside and, if necessary for the recipient, look at the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A small gift | Check the flavours and net weight: are the box and its contents right for one recipient? | If I don’t know someone’s favourite flavour, I want to give them a thank-you gift with a choice. This would be the first consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Easy to share | Check how many pieces there are and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped. | When I’m taking something for several people, I want to be able to offer individual portions without having to divide up the chocolate there and then. For around 30% of consumers, ease of sharing would come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the product you buy. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy or dietary requirement, I need to be able to check the ingredients in this particular box. This would be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Common misconceptions
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A mixed box isn’t automatically suitable for everyone
Different chocolate flavours can contain different ingredients and fillings. The merci and Lindt assortments mentioned list several allergens; this doesn’t automatically tell you about every variety from those brands.
Before giving the chocolates to someone, check the allergen information and any warnings on the exact product, especially if they have an allergy.
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An online ingredients list may not be up to date
Albert Heijn points out that a product’s ingredients, nutritional values and dietary or allergy information can change. This means a product page you viewed earlier may not match the box you buy.
Use the online information to help you decide, then check it against the label when you buy the product.
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Chocolate isn’t an established Vlaggetjesdag tradition
Stichting Vlaggetjesdag Scheveningen describes the event as celebrating Hollandse Nieuwe herring. That doesn’t make a chocolate box or taaitaai a traditional part of the event.
If you like, take chocolate along as a personal extra when you visit, but don’t present it as an official event product.
Brands to consider
These brands offer examples of different kinds of chocolate gifts. Compare the contents, ingredients and format of each product. A brand name alone won’t tell you whether a particular box is right for the recipient.
merci
merci offers Finest Selection, an assortment of chocolate specialities. According to merci, Finest Selection contains eight different specialities.
- An assortment gives the recipient several flavours to choose from.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. A mix of flavours isn’t automatically suitable for everyone.
Lindt
Lindt LINDOR is an option if you’re looking for chocolates in a gift box. Jumbo includes LINDOR products in its chocolates category.
- A box of chocolates could be a good gift for one person.
- Check the specific LINDOR variety you choose: the ingredients and allergens listed for one assorted box don’t automatically apply to other boxes.
Tony's Chocolonely
Tony's Chocolonely’s Dutch online shop features a range of gift and sharing packs, including tasting packs and chocolate boxes.
- You can compare a gift pack with chocolate designed for sharing.
- Check the contents and ingredients of the specific pack, as options vary by product.
Chocolate gifts at Joybuy
This selection includes assorted boxes, chocolates and a chocolate gift that you could also consider as an alternative to a classic box of chocolates. Choose based on the recipient or group, and check the packaging and availability of the specific product when you buy.
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merci Finest Selection 400 g
An assortment to give as a gift or share when having a choice of flavours matters. Joybuy’s product information lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in this 400 g pack.
Check the allergens on the label of the box you buy.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A 288 g chocolate gift to consider as an alternative to a classic box of chocolates. Check the packaging format if you want to share the contents with several people.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before giving it to anyone.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted 385 g
A 385 g chocolate assortment to consider when you want something to share. Check the number of pieces and the packaging format if everyone needs to be able to take their own portion.
Read the allergen information on the product you buy before serving the chocolate.
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merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A 125 g chocolate collection to consider as a small thank-you gift. If you want to share the contents, check how many chocolates are in the pack and how they’re wrapped.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the label for the recipient.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted 200 g
A 200 g chocolate assortment to consider as a gift for one person. Check the flavours if you want to take their preferences into account.
Read the allergen information for this variety on the packaging you buy. If you want to share the chocolates, check the number of pieces separately.
Frequently asked questions
Which chocolate box works well when several people can choose?
An assortment of small, individually wrapped chocolates works well if you want to offer them to several people. Compare the number of pieces with the size of the group. For example, Joybuy lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in merci Finest Selection 400 g.
Should I read the label when giving chocolate as a gift?
Yes, especially if the recipient has an allergy or dietary requirement. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label, so check the packaging you’re actually giving them.
Can I rely on the ingredients listed on an online product page?
Use the information to help you decide, but check it against the product you buy. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients and allergy information can change.
Are taaitaai and chocolate boxes part of Vlaggetjesdag?
According to information from Stichting Vlaggetjesdag Scheveningen, they aren’t an established part of the event, which celebrates Hollandse Nieuwe herring. You can, however, take a chocolate box along as a personal gift.