Hosts who want to make serving easy
If you want to put out chocolate so guests can help themselves, check the number of pieces and whether they are individually wrapped. An assorted box is only a useful choice if the flavours suit your guests.
Which option is right for you?
Gift-givers who care about presentation
For a small thank-you gift, a box of pralines or a gift box may be more suitable than packaging designed mainly for sharing. Check what’s inside, not just how the box looks.
Shoppers who need to consider allergens
If you’re buying chocolate for someone with a food allergy, or for a group whose needs you know, check the label on the exact pack. Ingredients and allergens can vary between assorted boxes and product varieties.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the chocolate needs to be easy to share or is intended as a gift. Gestampte Muisjes have a different purpose: they are sugar-coated aniseed that you can use as a topping, not a box of chocolates for guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing and choice of flavours | Check the number of pieces, whether they are individually wrapped and which chocolate varieties are in the box. | If guests can help themselves, I want recognisable portions and a choice of flavours. Around 42% of consumers would make sharing and flavour choice their top priority. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the exact pack to see which allergens it contains and whether it carries any warnings about possible traces. | If a guest has a known allergy, I want to be able to check whether a particular pack is suitable in advance. Around 33% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Contents and gift presentation | Compare the weight, number of pieces and type of packaging with what you need the box for. | For a thank-you gift, I’m looking for an attractive box; for an informal get-together, having enough to share matters more. An estimated 25% of consumers would consider this the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing Gestampte Muisjes instead of a box of chocolates
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are sugar-coated aniseed. They can be used as a topping for a sweet snack, but they don’t give you pieces of chocolate to share at a get-together.
Choose a box of chocolates if you want to share chocolate or give it as a gift; choose Gestampte Muisjes only if you’re looking for a topping.
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Assuming an assorted box is suitable for everyone
The allergens listed by Jumbo differ between the merci and Celebrations packs reviewed. So, a varied selection doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with a food allergy.
Ask about any relevant allergies if needed, and check the label on the exact pack before serving.
Brands and product ranges to consider
merci
The merci Gift Box is an option if you want to put out individually wrapped chocolates or give a box of chocolates as a present.
- Albert Heijn describes the Gift Box reviewed as containing 32 individually wrapped bars, including milk and dark chocolate varieties.
- For the separate 250 g merci Assorti Doos reviewed, Jumbo lists allergens including milk, almonds, hazelnuts and soya. Always check the label on the variety you choose before buying.
Celebrations
A chocolate mix for anyone who wants to offer a range of treats at an informal get-together.
- The gift-and-sharing pack reviewed contains a mix of chocolate varieties.
- For the 196 g pack reviewed, Jumbo lists allergens including milk, peanuts, wheat, gluten, egg and soya. Check the pack you’re actually buying.
Choceur
ALDI’s chocolate range includes pralines and chocolate sea shells that can be served on a platter.
- ALDI describes the Choceur chocolate sea shells reviewed as milk chocolate filled with hazelnut praline.
- The filling is worth bearing in mind if milk or hazelnuts could be a problem for your guests; check the label on the pack you choose.
De Ruijter
According to Jumbo, Gestampte Muisjes are sugar-coated aniseed for things such as bread, crispbread and yoghurt. They may be relevant as a topping for a sweet treat at a get-together.
- A topping can serve a different purpose from the chocolate you’re sharing.
- Gestampte Muisjes are not a box of chocolates. If allergens are a concern, check the label even when using them as a topping.
Chocolate to share or give as a gift on Joybuy
These products suit different occasions: a chocolate mix to share, a box to give as a gift, pralines to put on the table or individually wrapped minis. Check the contents and allergens on each pack to make sure they’re suitable for your guests.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A chocolate mix for a get-together where guests can choose from a range of treats. If you want to put the chocolates out individually, check whether they’re individually wrapped. If anyone has an allergy, read the label on the exact pack.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A gift pack for anyone who wants to give chocolate or try a range of flavours together. If individually wrapped portions are important, check the packaging, and consult the label if anyone has an allergy.
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Lindt Creation Petits Desserts Ball, 173 g
A box of pralines to share after a meal or at the end of a get-together. If you need them to be individually wrapped for serving, check the packaging, and read the label if anyone has an allergy.
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Milka Happy Birthday Milk Cream Pralines, 110 g
A box of pralines for a birthday gift or a treat at a get-together. The name suggests milk chocolate pralines with a milk cream filling; choose an assortment if a range of chocolate flavours is what you’re after. Check the label if anyone has an allergy.
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KitKat Mini Milk Chocolate Sharing Bag, 284 g
A sharing bag of minis for guests who fancy a piece of milk chocolate and wafer. Choose an assortment if variety matters, and check the label for allergens before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Are Gestampte Muisjes an alternative to a box of chocolates?
No, not if you want to share chocolate or give it as a gift. Jumbo describes De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as sugar-coated aniseed for things such as bread, crispbread and yoghurt; you could use them as a topping for a sweet treat at a get-together.
Do I need to check allergens on packaged chocolate?
Yes. Before serving chocolate to someone with a food allergy, read the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on the label; ingredients can vary between product varieties.
How should I store a box of chocolates until the get-together?
Follow the storage advice and use-by or best-before date on the packaging. For opened chocolates, Voedingscentrum recommends storing them in a kitchen cupboard; always check the instructions for the specific product if you have a different box of chocolates.
Which chocolate is handy if you don’t know how many guests will come?
A box of individually wrapped pieces is practical if you want to put out portions as needed. If the box is mainly a thank-you gift, its presentation may matter more; either way, check the contents and label on the pack you choose.