If you want to bring chocolate for the family or guests to share, look for an assortment. For a more personal gift, a compact gift box or a box of chocolates may be a better choice. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, especially if you need to take an allergy or dietary requirement into account. The chocolate is an extra gift alongside the traditional Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles, not a replacement for them.
You’re looking for chocolate for the family or several guests visiting to meet the new baby. Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles are the usual treat for the occasion, as 24Baby explains; the chocolate is an additional gift.
You want to choose between a compact gift box, an assortment and a box of chocolates based on the recipient and the occasion, rather than just the brand.
You need to be able to check whether the specific product is suitable for the recipient. If they have a known allergy, the ingredients and allergen information for the variant you choose are what matter most.
First decide whether you mainly want something to share or a personal gift to give. Then compare the packaging and, if there are known dietary restrictions, check the information for the variant you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate to share | Compare the net weight and, if stated, the number of pieces. | If the family and visitors will be sharing it, I want to be able to put out enough chocolate without judging by the size of the box alone. Sharing is the main priority for around 43% of consumers. |
| A personal gift | Check whether it’s a gift box, chocolates or an assortment, and consider the specific packaging. | I want to be able to give the chocolate as a gift straight away, even if it won’t be shared by many people. Presentation is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging. | If there’s a known allergy or an ingredient that must be avoided, I want to know before buying whether this variant is suitable. For around 28% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
A single assortment can contain products with different ingredients. The 200 g Lindt LINDOR assortment described by Jumbo lists milk, nuts, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other ingredients, and also carries a warning about other nuts.
If someone has a known allergy, ask which ingredients they need to avoid, then check the current packaging for the exact variant you’ve chosen.
A brand may offer different sizes and types of product. A box for one recipient won’t necessarily serve the same purpose as an assortment you want to share with visitors.
Compare the product type, net weight and, if stated, the number of pieces with the number of people you’re bringing the chocolate for.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo include Merci in their chocolate gift ranges; Jumbo lists, among other products, a 400 g assortment box.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list Celebrations as a chocolate assortment; Jumbo lists a 340 g pack.
Jumbo lists a 200 g mixed box of Lindt LINDOR chocolates.
Albert Heijn includes a Tiny's gift box, among other products, in its chocolate gift range.
These products offer different kinds of chocolate to give alongside Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles: truffles or pralines, a smaller chocolate collection and an assortment to share. Compare the packaging with the number of recipients and always check the label if there are dietary restrictions.
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A box of truffles to consider if you’d like to give a selection of chocolate flavours. The pack contains 200 g; check the number of pieces if you’re planning to share them with several people.
If there’s a known allergy or dietary requirement, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
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A 125 g chocolate collection to consider if you’re looking for a smaller, more personal gift. Check the packaging and number of pieces if these matter for the occasion.
If there are dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose.
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A 173 g box of pralines to consider if you’d like to bring chocolates that can also be shared. Take a look at the packaging if presentation matters to you when giving it as a gift.
Before giving it, read the current ingredients and allergen information, especially if there are known dietary restrictions.
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A 143 g chocolate assortment to consider when you want to bring something to share. Check the presentation if you’d like to give the assortment as a gift straight away.
If there are allergies or dietary requirements, refer to the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
No. Here, the chocolate box is an additional gift for a visit to meet the new baby. According to 24Baby, Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles are the usual treat when visiting a new baby in the Netherlands.
Choose an assortment if several people will want to share the chocolate; a box of chocolates may be a better fit for a personal gift for one recipient. Compare the net weight and, if stated, the number of pieces, as the product type alone won’t tell you how many people can share it.
First ask which ingredients need to be avoided, then read the label on the packaging you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on labels; also look out for any ‘may contain’ warnings, and don’t rely on the brand name or an online image alone.
