If you’re looking for an edible thank-you
You can give a box of individual chocolates straight to your host. A pack of sprinkles, on the other hand, needs a dish to use them on first.
Which option is right for you?
If you want to put chocolate on the table
Chocolates, pralines or other small pieces of chocolate work well on a platter for guests to help themselves to. Check how many pieces or individual portions the pack contains.
If you’re hosting a brunch or dessert table
Chocolate sprinkles may be just what you need for bread, yoghurt or desserts. Jumbo categorises sprinkles as sweet bread toppings, and its Choca Vlokken mix is also described as suitable for yoghurt.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the chocolate is meant to be a gift, a treat to share straight away or a topping. Then check the packaging, portion sizes and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift presentation | Check whether the chocolate comes in a gift box and contains individual pieces. | If I want to thank my host, I’m looking for something I can give them without any preparation. Around 45% of consumers prioritise gift presentation. |
| Sharing straight away | Check the number of pieces or portions and the allergen information for the full selection. | For a table where guests can help themselves, I want to know whether there are enough individual portions. Around 36% of consumers prioritise being able to share straight away. |
| Using as a topping | Check that the sprinkles are suitable for the planned bread, yoghurt or dessert dish. | When I’m setting up a brunch or dessert table, I need chocolate to sprinkle over food rather than a treat to hand out. This use as a topping is the main reason for choosing chocolate for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking sprinkles as a ready-to-give gift
Chocolate sprinkles are made to be sprinkled over food. Without bread, yoghurt or dessert, they don’t serve the same purpose as a box of chocolates you can give or put out straight away.
Choose sprinkles when they’re part of your menu. For a thank-you gift or a platter of treats, choose a chocolate product packaged for that purpose.
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Offering a mixed box without checking the label
Different chocolates in the same box may contain different ingredients. The Merci gift box described contains milk, nuts and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain peanuts and egg.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack and keep it available for guests to check when choosing.
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Leaving chocolate in the sun for too long
Heat can affect how chocolate looks. Storage advice varies by product and is shown on the packaging.
Put out small amounts at a time, keep the rest somewhere shaded and follow the storage advice on the pack.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for bread or another planned topping.
- Jumbo lists several De Ruijter options in its sprinkles category.
- Sprinkles aren’t a complete gift box of individual chocolates.
Choca
The Choca Vlokken mix described is intended for use on things such as bread or yoghurt.
- A sprinklable option for a bread or yoghurt spread.
- The mix described contains milk, soya and cereals containing gluten, including wheat. Check the label if you’re serving guests with allergies.
Merci
A gift box is a different choice from sprinkles when you want to give or share chocolate straight away.
- The gift box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped chocolates.
- The box described contains milk, nuts and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain peanuts and egg. Check the product you choose.
Moser Roth
ALDI describes a 400 g selection of Belgian chocolates for sharing.
- A selection box could be a good fit for a table where several guests will help themselves.
- Before buying, check whether your preferred box is available at your store.
Lindt
The 75 g Lindt Cornet box described is a smaller option for gifting chocolates.
- The smaller box is suitable as an individual thank-you gift.
- The version described contains milk and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain nuts. Check the label on the pack you choose.
Chocolate to give as a gift or share
These Joybuy products are suitable as a chocolate thank-you gift or a treat for the party table. If you’re looking for chocolate to sprinkle over bread, yoghurt or desserts, choose sprinkles specifically rather than one of these chocolates or sharing packs.
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Merci Finest Selection 400 g
A box to consider as a chocolate thank-you gift. If you’d also like to share it with guests, check how many chocolates the pack you choose contains.
Read the allergen information on the packaging, paying particular attention to nuts and soya, and protect the chocolate from heat.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A smaller chocolate thank-you gift. If you want to set out a piece for every guest, check how many chocolates there are and how they’re packaged.
Check the allergen information for this product, including details of milk, nuts and wheat. Store the chocolate according to the instructions on the packaging.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes 6 × 34 g
Six tubes to put out as individual treats on a sharing table. Choose a different pack if gift-box presentation is your priority.
Check the packaging for allergens, including milk and cereals containing gluten, and keep the chocolate away from heat.
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Nestle Kitkat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
A pack of nine pieces for sharing with guests. Be sure to check the best-before date on this product before the party.
Read the label for information about ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya, and store the chocolate in a cool, dry place as directed on the packaging.
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M&M's Minis Milk Chocolate More To Share Pouch Bag 176 g
A sharing pouch for a table where guests can help themselves to chocolate, rather than an individual gift box. Check whether it comes in portion packs if you’d like to give everyone their own sealed serving.
Read the allergen information, including details of milk, soya and possible traces of peanuts, and protect the contents from heat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give chocolate sprinkles instead of a box of chocolates?
That works best if the recipient wants to use them as a topping. For a thank-you gift you can hand over or share straight away, a box of chocolates or other gift chocolate is a more obvious choice. Sprinkles are sold as sweet bread toppings, among other things.
How should I store chocolate during a garden party?
Keep chocolate out of the sun and away from heat, and follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends checking the use-by or best-before date on the label of an unopened pack.
What should I look out for if guests have allergies?
Check the allergen information for the exact product you’re serving, including for mixed boxes. Keep the packaging available so guests can read the ingredients for themselves.
Is a product photo enough to check the ingredients?
No. Don’t rely on the photo instead of checking the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen. Check the current label before buying or serving chocolate to guests.