Who is each option for?

Those giving one ready-made gift

You want to be able to hand over a chocolate gift box without putting together or wrapping a treat yourself. A recognisable aniseed-sprinkle theme is less important to you.

Organisers of a new-baby celebration or baby shower

You’re looking for a treat to share with several guests, with an aniseed-sprinkle theme you can put together yourself. You’ll need to make time for preparation and serving.

Consumers who need to check ingredients first

You’ll only choose something for someone else once you know which ingredients and allergens are relevant to them. Check the label on each individual product, even if you combine several items to make one treat.

What should you consider when choosing?

First, decide whether you need one finished gift or treats for several guests. Then check the ingredients of the product you actually plan to give.

What to consider What to check Who is this important to?
Ready-made gift Check whether it’s a finished chocolate gift box and how much the pack contains. If I’m taking one small gift, I don’t want to have to prepare or wrap anything first. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a box that’s ready to give.
Aniseed-sprinkle theme Choose the aniseed-sprinkle variety you want, and think about which base product you’ll use and when you’ll make the treats. For a new-baby celebration, I want to share something with aniseed sprinkles with several guests and can set aside time to put it together. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this theme.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current label for each product, including any listed allergens and warnings about possible traces. If I’m buying something for someone else, I need to be able to check first whether the ingredients are suitable for them. For around 21% of consumers, this is their first consideration.
Individual chocolates Check whether individual chocolates work for a treat you’re putting together yourself; they’re not the same as aniseed sprinkles or a box of chocolates. I’d rather put together small portions myself than give one finished box. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this option.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking aniseed sprinkles for a chocolate gift

    Aniseed sprinkles are a separate product to give your treat a theme, not a ready-made box of chocolates.

    Decide whether you want to give one finished gift or several homemade treats before choosing your products.

    Homemade treats also take time to put together and, if needed, wrap.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    Albert Heijn lists the Celebrations Chocolate Gift Box as discontinued. A product listing alone doesn’t mean you can still order the item.

    Check the current product page before choosing a specific box for your gift.

  • Judging by the front of the pack alone

    Different allergens may be relevant in chocolate, aniseed sprinkles and the other parts of a treat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises the importance of allergen information on labels.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on every pack, including just before serving the treat.

  • Treating liqueur chocolates as an everyday treat for children

    Jumbo states that Duc d'O Liqueur Chocolates contain alcohol and are not suitable for children.

    If you’re buying chocolates for a group, check explicitly whether they contain alcohol and choose a product that’s suitable for the recipients.

Relevant brands to consider

De Ruijter

De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles are a good fit for a treat with a new-baby celebration or baby shower theme. Albert Heijn and Jumbo show a range of varieties.

  • You can choose an aniseed-sprinkle variety to suit your chosen theme.
  • Aniseed sprinkles aren’t a chocolate gift box; you’ll need to choose the other ingredients yourself for a treat to share.

Jumbo

Jumbo features both a box of Zeevruchten Praliné chocolates and a recipe for sponge fingers with pink or blue aniseed sprinkles.

  • The product box and recipe show two different ways to give or share a treat.
  • The aniseed-sprinkle treat takes preparation; check the ingredients of the chocolates to make sure they’re suitable for the recipient.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn features De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles, among other products, as well as AH Classic Choco's as individual chocolates.

  • Individual chocolates can be one part of a gift you put together yourself.
  • Individual chocolates aren’t a gift box on their own, and they’re not the same product as aniseed sprinkles.

Celebrations

The Celebrations Chocolate Gift Box is an example of a box containing a selection of chocolates.

  • A selection in one pack suits anyone who wants to give a variety of chocolates.
  • Albert Heijn lists this gift box as discontinued; check current availability before relying on it.

Products on Joybuy

These two products suit different choices: a small chocolate gift to give straight away, or pink aniseed sprinkles as part of a treat you make yourself. Don’t compare them as if they were both chocolate gift boxes.

Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g

Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g

A chocolate collection for anyone looking to give a small gift without putting together a treat themselves.

Contents: 125 g. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before giving it.

View on Joybuy
De Ruijter Pink Muisjes 330 g

De Ruijter Pink Muisjes 330 g

Pink aniseed sprinkles for a treat you put together yourself; this product isn’t chocolate or a ready-made gift.

Contents: 330 g. Choose a base product yourself and check the ingredients of every component.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are aniseed sprinkles the same as a box of chocolates?

No. Aniseed sprinkles are a separate product you can use to give a treat a theme. If you want to hand over one finished chocolate gift, look for a chocolate gift box rather than just aniseed sprinkles.

When should I choose aniseed sprinkles for a new-baby celebration?

Choose aniseed sprinkles if you want to put together treats for several guests yourself and the theme matters to you. In its recipe for sponge fingers with aniseed sprinkles, Jumbo advises not making them too far in advance.

Is the allergen information on a product page enough?

Check the current label on the pack too, before serving a product. Do this for every part of a homemade treat, not just the chocolate or the aniseed sprinkles.

Are liqueur chocolates suitable for sharing with children?

Don’t assume they are: Jumbo states that Duc d'O Liqueur Chocolates contain alcohol and aren’t suitable for children. For other chocolates too, check the ingredients and instructions on the pack.