Choose a box of chocolates if you want something you can give or share straight away. Chocolate sprinkles are better for a planned breakfast or baking session, when you have bread, yoghurt, porridge or a bake to use them on. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients on the packaging, especially if you’re buying for someone else.
If you want a gift that can go straight on the table, a box of chocolates is more practical than chocolate sprinkles. The Merci boxes described by Albert Heijn contain individually wrapped chocolates; just check whether the recipients have any allergies first.
Chocolate sprinkles and flakes are intended as toppings. Small packs with different varieties can work well for a breakfast where everyone wants to choose something different, as long as you also have bread, yoghurt, porridge or a bake to put them on.
If any guests or household members have allergies, checking the packaging comes before choosing a flavour or type of gift. Also check the nutritional information if the chocolate is intended for several eating occasions.
First, decide whether you want something to give straight away or a topping for a meal you already have planned. Then check the ingredients and packaging, and think about how you’ll use the product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Giving or sharing straight away | Look at the gift packaging and check how many pieces it contains and whether they’re individually wrapped. | When I’m visiting someone, I want to be able to hand over a gift without preparing a dish first; around 36% of consumers put giving and sharing straight away first. |
| Breakfast or baking session | Choose chocolate sprinkles or flakes to suit the dish, and check the pack size. | For breakfast or baking, I already have something to put the topping on; for around 29% of consumers, that planned eating occasion is their first consideration. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you want to buy. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I need to check whether the product is suitable before giving it to them; around 21% of consumers put this check first. |
| How the chocolate will be used | Check the nutritional information per 100 g and decide whether you’re looking for a gift, a topping or a snack. | During the holidays, I don’t want to serve chocolate at every snack time; around 14% of consumers give the purpose of these occasions the highest priority. |
An assortment may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for every recipient. The Merci boxes reviewed contain, among other things, milk, nuts and soya.
If you’re buying a gift for a group, ask about allergies and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
Chocolate sprinkles are a topping. Without bread, yoghurt, porridge or a bake, they don’t offer the same ready-to-share treat as a box of chocolates.
Choose chocolate sprinkles for a breakfast or baking session you’ve already planned. If you’re looking for something to hand over straight away, choose a pack designed for that purpose.
An extra holiday treat and an everyday snack serve different purposes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread as snack options for children.
Before you buy, decide when you want to enjoy the chocolate and compare the nutritional information if you’re choosing between packaged products.
Gift boxes of chocolates for giving or sharing.
Chocolate sprinkles and flakes for bread, yoghurt, porridge or bakes.
Chocolate sprinkles and flakes in a range of flavours and pack formats.
This selection of Joybuy products includes chocolate packs for giving or sharing, as well as chocolate sprinkles and flakes for a planned breakfast or baking session. If you’re buying for someone else, always check the current packaging.
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An assortment of chocolates to put out when you have visitors; the pack contains 385 g. Check how many pieces it contains and whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to give everyone their own portion.
If you have allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
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Nine pieces with matcha and chocolate flavour for a small sharing occasion. This is one specific flavour, not a box with a selection of flavours, so check that it’ll suit the recipients.
Before buying, check the best-before date and, if you have allergies, the current packaging.
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A 125 g chocolate collection for a small gathering or as a thank-you gift. If the number of pieces or individual wrapping matters for sharing, check the contents of the box you choose.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information before giving the box to someone.
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A 400 g pack of chocolate sprinkles for a planned breakfast or another occasion with bread, yoghurt, porridge or a bake. This is a topping, not a ready-to-share treat.
If you have allergies, check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.
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A 200 g pack of flakes for breakfast or baking, when you already have a dish to top or decorate. Check the portion information if you want to work out how much you’ll need in advance.
If you have allergies, read the current ingredients and allergen information.
A box of chocolates is a better choice if you want to hand something over or share it straight away. Chocolate sprinkles make sense when the recipient wants to use them on bread, yoghurt, porridge or a bake; either way, check the ingredients for the person you’re buying for.
Read the allergen information and ingredients on the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods; a brand name or picture of the box won’t tell you which ingredients apply to that particular variety.
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging, and keep the chocolate away from heat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dark chocolate in a kitchen cupboard; for an assortment, follow the instructions on the box you’ve chosen.
A chocolate treat doesn’t have to be part of every snack time. For children, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread as snack options; choose what suits the occasion you have planned and check the nutritional information on packaged products.
