Hosts who want to share
You’re looking for small pieces that are easy to put out on the table, ideally with a choice of different flavours.
Who is this choice for?
Anyone giving a small chocolate gift
The packaging should make it feel like a thoughtful gift, while the contents should be easy to hand out during or after the film.
Anyone deciding between taaitaai and chocolate
You want to bring something sweet, but first need to choose between spiced biscuits and a box of chocolates. These are different product categories.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want spiced biscuits or chocolate. If you choose chocolate, your decision will then depend on how you want to share it and whether the box is also a gift.
Sharing chocolate assortment
Best for: a group looking to put out small pieces in a range of flavours.
Consider: a larger sharing pack may leave more leftovers for a small group.
Chocolate gift box
Best for: a film night when you’d also like to bring a thoughtful gift; according to Albert Heijn, the Merci Gift Box contains 32 individually wrapped bars.
Consider: gift packaging alone doesn’t tell you how many portions will suit your group.
Cream-filled pralines
Best for: a smaller group that would prefer pralines to a sharing assortment.
Consider: the Bel'Chic option at PLUS lists 0.3% alcohol and storage instructions of 14–18 °C.
Taaitaai spice biscuits
Best for: anyone who wants to serve spiced biscuits rather than chocolate.
Consider: taaitaai doesn’t offer a selection of chocolate flavours or pralines.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to share | Compare the contents, number of pieces and packaging. | I want everyone to be able to help themselves during the film, without having to divide up one large portion. Sharing convenience would be the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Flavours and gift packaging | Check which flavours are included and whether the packaging is suitable for giving and storing. | If I’m giving the box as a gift, I want the recipient to be able to choose from different flavours. This combination would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label, including any ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements; also check for any alcohol in pralines. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether the specific box is suitable. Ingredients would matter most to around 23% of consumers. |
| Biscuits or chocolate | Choose the product category before comparing packaging and contents. | I’m looking for spiced biscuits or, instead, chocolates to enjoy during the film; that choice determines which products I look at. This would be the first consideration for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of taaitaai as a type of chocolate box
Taaitaai is a spiced biscuit. If you want to bring chocolate or a box of pralines, taaitaai is a different kind of treat.
First choose between biscuits, a sharing chocolate assortment and pralines; then compare products within your chosen category.
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Looking only at the flavours on the box
An assortment may contain several allergens. The ingredients to look out for vary by product and variant.
Before buying, read the label on the box you’ve chosen, including any ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements.
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Not choosing the right amount for your group
A large box may leave some leftovers after a small film night. Storage instructions can also vary depending on the type of chocolate.
Compare the contents with the number of people sharing, and follow the storage advice on the packaging for any leftovers.
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Assuming pralines don’t contain alcohol
The Bel'Chic cream-filled pralines at PLUS list 0.3% alcohol; this doesn’t tell you anything about other pralines.
Check the specific packaging for alcohol if it matters to your choice.
Brands to consider
Merci
The Gift Box at Albert Heijn combines gift packaging with individually wrapped chocolate bars.
- According to Albert Heijn, the 400 g box reviewed contains 32 individually wrapped bars in different flavours.
- This variant contains milk and nuts, among other ingredients; check the current label for details of any other allergens.
Celebrations
PLUS sells the 385 g assortment as a sharing pack with a variety of flavours.
- The small pieces make this pack a good option for sharing during a film night.
- The ingredients in this variant include several allergens, including milk, peanuts, wheat, egg and soya.
Bel'Chic
The 350 g cream-filled pralines at PLUS are an alternative to individually wrapped bars or a sharing assortment.
- The variant reviewed contains pralines with a soft cream filling.
- PLUS lists 0.3% alcohol and advises storing this variant in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C.
Milka
The Thank You box at PLUS is designed as a small chocolate gift.
- According to PLUS, this variant contains 20 chocolates and comes in a resealable box with space for a message.
- Check whether this size is enough for your group, and read the label for information about allergens in this variant.
Lindt
The Lindor variant reviewed is an assortment of chocolates made with different types of chocolate.
- The 200 g assortment described contains milk, hazelnut, white and dark chocolate.
- Check the label for allergens in this variant, including milk, soya and hazelnut.
Chocolate products at Joybuy
These chocolate assortments suit either sharing with the group or giving as a chocolate gift for a film night. Compare the contents and packaging if individually wrapped portions are important.
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Lindt Creation Petits Desserts Ball 173 g
A choice to consider if you’re looking for pralines in different chocolate flavours for a smaller film night. The pack contains 173 g; check the number of pieces if you want to divide them into portions in advance.
Read the current label for allergen information before serving.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A chocolate gift for trying different flavours and sharing if you like. The box contains 288 g; check whether the portions are individually wrapped if everyone needs their own piece.
Check the current label if allergens are a consideration.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A chocolate collection to bring as a small gift. The box contains 125 g; check the number of pieces and mix of flavours if you’re sharing with a group.
Read the current label for ingredients and allergen information.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted 200 g
An assortment of Lindor chocolates to consider if a range of chocolate flavours is important. The pack contains 200 g; check the number of pieces to make sure there are enough to share with your group.
Check the current label for allergen information.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
A chocolate assortment to consider if you’d like to share different flavours during the film. The pack contains 143 g; check the number of pieces and how the chocolate is wrapped if you need individually portioned pieces.
Read the current label for allergen information before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the allergen information for a box of chocolates?
Read the ingredients list on the packaging of the box you’re buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, 14 allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods; also check for any ‘may contain’ statements.
How should I store any chocolate left after the film night?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific packaging. Pralines may have different instructions from an ordinary chocolate bar: for example, PLUS advises storing the Bel'Chic cream-filled pralines in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C.
Do chocolates contain alcohol?
It varies by product. The Bel'Chic cream-filled pralines at PLUS list 0.3% alcohol; always check the packaging of any other box you’re considering.