People bringing a gift to a Christmas party
If you're bringing something for a host or colleague, a gift-wrapped chocolate box could be just the thing. Jumbo has a chocolate gifts category, while PLUS also lists Christmas chocolate.
Who is each option suited to?
Hosts planning a coffee break
If you'd like to serve biscuits with coffee or tea rather than give a gift, kano pastries are another option. Jumbo and PLUS list 275 g packs of butter kano pastries; before sharing, check how many are in the pack you've chosen.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
If you're buying for guests with an allergy or specific dietary requirements, check the individual product rather than relying on the category. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of allergen information, while Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want to give a gift or serve pastries with coffee. Then check the packaging of the product you've chosen and whether it's available at your retailer.
Chocolate gift
Choose this if: you're looking for a gift-wrapped chocolate option or want to offer chocolate to your guests.
Bear in mind: a chocolate box isn't a pack of kano pastries, and availability of a particular gift may vary by retailer.
Kano pastries
Choose this if: you want to serve filled pastries with coffee or tea.
Bear in mind: kano pastries aren't a chocolate box, and a pack of pastries won't automatically make a suitable gift for your occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Gift presentation | Check whether the product you've chosen is a gift box or selection, and whether its contents suit your needs. | I'm bringing something for the host and want packaging that's clearly presented as a gift. For around 50% of consumers, gift presentation comes first. |
| Pastries to share | Check the pack weight and, if stated, the number of pastries and the type of filling. | When I serve pastries with coffee, I want to know how many I can hand out. For around 33% of consumers, the coffee break is the main reason for choosing. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the specific product. | If guests have an allergy or dietary requirement, I want to be able to check what's in the product I've chosen. For around 17% of consumers, this check is the priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking kano pastries for chocolate boxes
Jumbo describes its kano pastries as butter pastries with almond paste, and sells chocolate gifts in a separate category. So if you want to give a chocolate box, kano pastries are a different type of product.
Decide first between a chocolate gift and pastries to serve with coffee; then compare the individual packs.
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Guessing allergens from a photo or product name
A product name doesn't tell you which ingredients and allergens are listed on the packaging you've chosen. Albert Heijn also notes that product information can change.
Read the physical packaging before serving the product, and keep it available for guests who want to check the information.
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Counting on a particular Christmas product
A product on a seasonal page may not be available at every store. For example, PLUS noted that a featured merci gift box wasn't available at the selected store.
Check what's currently available at your store before planning quantities or a gift around a particular pack.
Brands and retailers to explore
These names can help you compare the two product types; they aren't a ranking and don't indicate stock at any particular store.
Albert Heijn
A retailer offering own-brand kano pastries and a separate category for chocolate gifts.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Roomboter kano's and AH BASIC Kano's.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. Always check the packaging of the product you buy.
Jumbo
A retailer offering butter kano pastries and a category for chocolate gifts.
- Jumbo describes its 275 g pack of kano pastries as butter pastries with 38% almond paste.
- A pack of kano pastries isn't a substitute for a chocolate gift if gift presentation is what matters.
PLUS
A retailer offering own-brand butter kano pastries and a range of Christmas chocolate.
- PLUS lists butter kano pastries in 275 g trays, as well as a separate page for Christmas chocolate.
- Check your chosen store: a featured merci gift box wasn't available at every PLUS store.
Verkade
A brand to explore if you're looking for chocolate or chocolate biscuits.
- Verkade makes chocolate products; Jumbo lists Verkade chocolate bars, among other items.
- Check the exact product if you need a gift box or kano pastries: a chocolate bar is neither.
Aviateur
A brand to consider for filled kano pastries to serve at a gathering.
- Jumbo lists Aviateur Gevulde Kano's in a pack of 7, weighing 325 g.
- Don't choose this pack as a substitute for a chocolate box without first deciding whether pastries suit your celebration.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are kano pastries the same as a chocolate box?
No. Kano pastries are filled pastries, while a chocolate box is a chocolate gift. Jumbo describes its kano pastries as butter pastries with almond paste, so choose according to what you want to serve or give as a gift.
Where can I check allergens in a chocolate box or pack of kano pastries?
Check the allergen information on the current packaging of the specific product. Under general EU labelling rules, prepacked foods must include information about ingredients and allergens. Albert Heijn notes that online product information can change.
Can I expect a Christmas product shown online to be available at my store?
Don't assume a product is available until you've checked what's currently offered by your store. PLUS noted that a merci gift box wasn't available at the selected store, so a product appearing in a range doesn't guarantee it'll be stocked at every branch.