The party host who wants to hand out treats
If guests will help themselves to a treat or take one home, individually wrapped pieces are easy to set out and count. Check how many pieces the pack actually contains.
Which option is right for you?
The giver of a chocolate gift
If you’re thanking the host, the presentation of the box may matter more than having enough treats for the whole group. Check the flavours, too, to make sure they’ll suit the recipient.
The host who needs to check allergens
If any guests have a known allergy, the exact product variant matters: chocolate selections and biscuits can contain different ingredients. Read the allergen information on the packaging you plan to serve.
What should you look for when choosing?
Chocolate gift box
Best for: a gift for the host or a small treat to serve at the table, where the box itself is part of the gift.
Consider: a selection of flavours doesn’t tell you how many pieces there are or which allergens each variety contains.
Individually wrapped chocolates
Best for: a party where guests can help themselves to a small treat or take one home.
Consider: individual portions don’t make it a gift box; check the flavour selection and ingredients, too.
Chocolate biscuits
Best for: a biscuit plate, perhaps alongside coffee or tea, rather than a chocolate gift.
Consider: biscuits won’t necessarily offer the range of flavours you’d find in a chocolate selection.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to hand out | Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped and how many the pack contains. | If guests will help themselves, I want to be able to set out enough individual treats. Around 40% of consumers put ease of sharing first. |
| Gift and choice of flavours | Compare the box style and listed flavours; if you’re planning portions, check the number of pieces as well. | For a thank-you gift for the host, presentation and a suitable choice of flavours matter more to me than having a large supply to hand out. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this type of gift. |
| Allergens and labelling | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including for a selection box. | If a guest has a known allergy, I want to establish exactly what’s in this particular pack first. Checking the label is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a selection box will suit everyone
Different chocolates in the same selection can contain different allergens. So an appealing mix of flavours won’t tell you whether it’s suitable for guests with allergies.
Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the variant you’ve chosen. Don’t rely on a product photo or brand name alone.
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Comparing weight alone
The net weight doesn’t tell you how many individual treats you can hand out. Jumbo says its 250 g merci Chocolade Assorti Doos contains twenty individually wrapped bars; Albert Heijn lists 22 individually wrapped chocolates in its Tiny Tony's gift box.
For your party, compare both the net contents and the stated number of pieces or portions.
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Treating an online description as the definitive label
Albert Heijn points out that product ingredients and allergy information can change. An older description may therefore differ from the packaging you buy.
When you buy, check the ingredients, best-before date and storage instructions on the actual packaging.
Brands to consider
merci
Chocolate gift boxes for anyone looking to combine a present with individually wrapped pieces.
- Jumbo says its 250 g merci Chocolade Assorti Doos contains eight chocolate specialities and twenty individually wrapped bars.
- Check the allergens for each box and variant: for another 400 g merci gift box, Jumbo lists milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients, and warns that it may contain other allergens.
Celebrations
A mix of mini chocolates for anyone who wants to share a selection.
- Mars describes Celebrations as mini versions of well-known chocolate brands.
- Check the ingredients of the specific mix, especially if any guests have allergies.
Tony's Chocolonely
Tiny Tony's are small chocolates for sharing or giving as a chocolate gift.
- Albert Heijn lists 22 individually wrapped chocolates in ten flavours in its 200 g Tiny Tony's gift box.
- The ingredients and number of pieces apply to that specific pack; check again if you choose a different size.
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos biscuits with chocolate for a biscuit option alongside a chocolate selection.
- Lotus says its Speculoos met chocolade contains 22% chocolate. Albert Heijn describes a pack with seven portions of three biscuits.
- This is still a biscuit option, not a box of assorted chocolates. Check the ingredients on the pack you choose, too.
Products for gifting, sharing or serving with biscuits
These Joybuy products suit different ways of serving treats at a Halloween party: as a chocolate gift, individual treats or biscuits. Choose the option that suits how you want to serve them, and check the packaging if the number of portions or allergens matters.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
An option if you’re looking for a chocolate gift for the host. Check whether the contents are individually wrapped if guests need to be able to help themselves to individual portions.
Net contents: 288 g. Read the allergen information on the current packaging.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
A biscuit option for the party table, rather than a box of assorted chocolates. Check the number of portions if you want to set one out for every guest.
Net contents: 150 g. Read the allergen information on the current packaging.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
The individual tubes are handy for setting out one treat per guest or giving them one to take away. This is a milk chocolate option, not a box with a range of chocolate flavours.
Pack: 6 tubes of 34 g. Check the allergens on the packaging.
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merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A small box of chocolates to give the host as a thoughtful gift. If you want to hand out the chocolates, check how many pieces are inside and how they’re wrapped.
Net contents: 125 g. Read the allergen information for this variant on the current packaging.
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Nestle Kitkat Strawberry Short Cake, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
The bars are suitable if you want to hand out one per person. Don’t choose this variant expecting a box with a range of flavours.
Pack: 9 pieces, 104,4 g in total. Check the allergens and storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does chocolate for a Halloween party need to be individually wrapped?
No, but individual wrapping is handy if guests will help themselves and you want to count out the pieces in advance. For a gift, the presentation of the box may matter more; either way, check the ingredients and storage instructions.
Where can I find the allergens in a chocolate box or chocolate biscuits?
Read the ingredients list on the packaging you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens in prepacked products must be listed on the label and clearly distinguished from the other ingredients.
Can I choose a mixed box of chocolates for someone with a food allergy?
You can’t tell from the shape of the box or the brand name alone. Check the allergens present and any warnings on the exact packaging; different flavours in a selection may contain different ingredients.
How should I store chocolate or chocolate biscuits before the party?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging you’ve chosen. These instructions are more important than general storage advice, as chocolate and biscuits come in different varieties and packaging.