A chocolate box is a good choice for a small thank-you gift or a coffee break when you want to hand something out straight away. Choose crispbread with chocolate sprinkles if you want to share a simple snack: you’ll need both crispbread and a topping, and you’ll have to prepare it yourself. For either option, check the current label if anyone attending has allergies.
If you want to bring something that’s ready to give, a chocolate box is a better choice than crispbread and a separate topping. An assortment gives you a choice of flavours; check how the chocolates are packaged before choosing a product.
For a coffee break with colleagues or visitors, compare the number of individual pieces with the number of people attending beforehand. For example, Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in its 400 g Merci Gift Box.
If you’re sharing a snack rather than giving a gift, you can buy crispbread and chocolate sprinkles separately. Bear in mind that you’ll need to prepare and serve them: chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping, not a ready-to-serve chocolate treat.
First, decide whether you want to give and hand out a treat, or prepare crispbread on the spot. Then compare the packaging and check the label for anyone who’ll be sharing it.
Best for: a thank-you gift or a coffee break where guests can help themselves to a chocolate.
Things to consider: not every box contains individually wrapped pieces; even with an assortment, you should check the allergens for each product.
Best for: a casual snack where you can prepare the crispbread yourself.
Things to consider: you’ll need to buy the crispbread and topping separately, and you’ll need time and space to serve them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to hand out | Compare the number of pieces and check whether they’re individually wrapped. | If I only have a short time to put something out, I want everyone to be able to help themselves to a portion. Around 31% of consumers prioritise ease of sharing. |
| Presentation and flavours | Check whether it’s a gift box and what flavours it contains. | For a thank-you gift, I want to be able to hand over a box with a choice of flavours. For around 25% of consumers, this type of gift is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packaging. | If someone at the table has a food allergy, I need to know whether the product is suitable before offering it. Checking for allergens is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check where you can buy the product and compare the pack size with the number of portions. | When I’m shopping for a planned coffee break, I want to know whether I can buy enough at a convenient shop. For around 19% of consumers, this practical consideration is the most important. |
Different chocolates in the same box may contain different ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses how important label information is for anyone with a food allergy.
Ask which allergens are relevant, then read the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging before serving.
Two boxes with different weights may not be equally easy to share. Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped chocolates in its 250 g Merci Assorted Box; Albert Heijn lists 32 in its 400 g Merci Gift Box.
Compare the number of individual pieces with the number of people attending, not just the net weight.
A product’s ingredients and availability can change. So a product page you viewed earlier is no substitute for checking the packaging of the product you actually buy.
Check availability when you buy and read the label again when your purchase arrives.
Chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping, and crispbread is sold separately. Together, they make a snack that still needs preparing, not a box of chocolates ready to hand out.
Choose a chocolate box for a ready-to-give thank-you gift; choose crispbread with chocolate sprinkles if you want preparing and serving the snack to be part of the break.
De Ruijter makes chocolate sprinkles and other sweet bread toppings, making it a relevant choice if you’re planning to top crispbread.
Venz makes chocolate sprinkles and spreads for putting together your own crispbread snack.
Albert Heijn is a retailer where you can compare chocolate gifts.
Jumbo provides product information about chocolate gifts and chocolate sprinkles.
Lidl is another place to look for chocolate to enjoy with coffee or tea.
ALDI features chocolates, truffles and assorted chocolates, among other products.
These products work well as a small chocolate gift or an informal treat with coffee. A gift pack, a wafer treat and a sharing pouch each serve a different purpose. If you want to hand out individual portions, pay particular attention to the packaging.
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A gift pack for anyone who wants to bring chocolate as a thank-you. If you plan to hand it out during a break, check how many individual portions it contains, and read the current label if allergies are a concern.
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A wafer treat with nine pieces for anyone looking to offer something different from a chocolate assortment with coffee. Check the current label if allergens are a concern.
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A chocolate assortment for a casual coffee break with others. Before buying, check how many portions the pack provides and whether it suits your plans for handing out individual treats.
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A chocolate collection to consider as a small gift. If you want to share it with a group, check the number of pieces and how they’re packaged; read the label if allergies are a concern.
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A sharing pouch of milk chocolate sweets for an informal break, rather than a gift box. If everyone needs an individual portion, decide in advance how you’ll serve them.
Start by checking the number of individual pieces and comparing it with the number of people attending. Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in its 400 g Merci Gift Box; Jumbo lists 20 in its 250 g Merci Assorted Box. Then check the allergens on the packaging you choose.
No, you can’t tell from the product name alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of label information if you have a food allergy. Always check the current ingredients and warnings for the specific box.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the box you’ve chosen. Product information from Merci and Joybuy recommends protecting chocolate from heat; Joybuy’s information for a Merci box also advises storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
No, not as a general criterion for choosing a chocolate box. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the use of iodine compounds in bakers’ salt in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products. Check the chocolate box’s own ingredients on the label.
