If you’re looking for a small Christmas gift
You want to give guests a thoughtful little present in recognisable gift packaging. A chocolate assortment can also offer a choice of flavours.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to serve treats with minimal preparation
You’re looking for portions you can hand straight to your guests. Individually wrapped chocolates or individually wrapped portions of Dutch breakfast cake can save you from slicing and serving.
If ingredients are a consideration
You want to check the ingredients and allergens listed on the packaging before buying, so guests with specific dietary requirements don’t have to rely on the name of an assortment.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the product is mainly intended as a gift or as a snack for the party. Then think about how you’ll serve it and check the label of the variety you’ve chosen.
Chocolate gift box or praline assortment
Choose this if: you want the packaging to work as a little Christmas gift, or you’d like your guests to choose from an assortment.
Bear in mind: ingredients and allergens vary between assortments. Check the storage instructions before putting the box out, too.
Dutch breakfast cake as a party snack
Choose this if: you want to serve an informal snack or hand out portions that are ready to go.
Bear in mind: an unsliced loaf needs some preparation, and Dutch breakfast cake doesn’t automatically have the presentation of a gift box.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Especially relevant if |
|---|---|---|
| Gift and assortment | Check whether it’s a gift box and which flavours and individual pieces it contains. | I want to give guests a small treat they can choose from. Around 38% of consumers put this gift and assortment appeal first. |
| Easy to serve | Check the number of portions and whether the breakfast cake is sliced or the pieces are individually wrapped. | If I want to keep preparation to a minimum during the party, ready-to-serve portions are my main concern. Around 37% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any statements about possible traces. | If my guests have specific dietary requirements, I want to know exactly what’s in the variety I’ve chosen. Around 25% of consumers prioritise knowing what’s in the product. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a mixed chocolate box is suitable for every guest
An assortment may contain several allergens. PLUS lists milk, nuts and soya among the ingredients in its 250 g box of merci Finest Selection, and states that it may contain egg and peanuts.
Check the current packaging of the box you’re buying. If you know someone has an allergy, keep a separate option to hand and check its ingredients as well.
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Treating an easy-to-serve snack as a gift
Individually wrapped Dutch breakfast cake is practical for handing out, but it serves a different purpose from a chocolate box packaged as a gift.
First decide whether you want a little present for guests to take away or something to serve at the party. Only then compare the packaging options for your chosen purpose.
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Applying the nutritional values of one type of breakfast cake to another
Recipes and portion sizes can vary between varieties. General information for breakfast cake with no added sugar won’t necessarily describe the pack you’re buying.
Compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the specific packaging, using the same basis of per 100 g or per portion.
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Putting chocolate out without checking the storage instructions
The product information for merci Finest Selection recommends protecting it from heat. Other assortments may have their own storage instructions.
Follow the label on the box you’ve chosen and keep the chocolate away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
Brands to consider
These brands illustrate different types of packaging. Always check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific variety.
Peijnenburg
Dutch breakfast cake for anyone looking to serve an informal snack rather than offer a little chocolate gift.
- Jumbo lists, among other options, plain Dutch breakfast cake in a pack of 10 individual 28 g portions.
- Check whether the variety is sliced or individually wrapped. Ingredients and nutritional values also need to be checked for the specific product.
merci
Chocolate gift boxes for a small present or a moment of sharing.
- According to PLUS, the 250 g merci Finest Selection contains twenty individually wrapped chocolates.
- This variety also lists several allergens. Don’t assume the information for this box applies to other merci packaging.
Lindt
Praline assortments as an alternative to a gift box of chocolate bars.
- Jumbo lists 200 g of LINDOR assorted chocolate pralines in its pralines and truffles category.
- Check the distribution of pieces, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the assortment you choose.
Chocolate to give as a gift and share
These Joybuy products suit the chocolate option, from gift packaging to assortments and tubes for sharing at a party. Use the packaging to decide which format works best for giving as a gift or handing out; if your guests have specific dietary requirements, it’s still important to check the label.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A chocolate gift pack to consider as a thoughtful little present. The pack contains 288 g; check the ingredients and allergens, and see whether the pieces are individually wrapped if you want to hand one to each guest.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted 385 g
A chocolate assortment to put on the table and share. The pack contains 385 g; check how many individual pieces it contains if you want to plan a portion for each guest, and read the allergen information.
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merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A smaller chocolate collection to consider as a thoughtful little present. The pack contains 125 g; if you’re handing them out, check the number of pieces and how they’re packaged, and read the allergen information on the label.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
A chocolate assortment for an informal party treat. The pack contains 143 g; check how many pieces it includes if you want to divide it into portions, and read the ingredients and allergen information.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes 6 x 34 g
Six individual tubes could come in handy if you want to give one pack to each guest. Each tube contains 34 g; check the ingredients and allergens before offering them to your guests.
Frequently asked questions
Should I serve chocolate or Dutch breakfast cake at a Christmas party?
A chocolate gift box works well as a little present for guests, while Dutch breakfast cake makes an informal snack to put on the table. If you want to keep preparation to a minimum, choose a pre-sliced or individually wrapped variety of breakfast cake, and check the label on both products.
What should I check for allergens in a chocolate assortment?
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact assortment you’re going to serve. For its 250 g merci Finest Selection, PLUS lists milk, nuts and soya among the ingredients and states that it may contain egg and peanuts; this information doesn’t automatically apply to other boxes.
Does the rule about baker’s salt mean that all Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine?
No. A rule about baker’s salt doesn’t mean that a particular Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt for baker’s salt. If the ingredients matter to your choice, check those listed on the breakfast cake you’ve chosen.
How should I store a chocolate box until the Christmas party?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the box you’ve chosen. PLUS product information recommends protecting the 250 g merci Finest Selection from heat, so don’t put it next to a heat source or in direct sunlight.