Choose an assorted chocolate gift box if you’re giving a present during the summer holidays and don’t know exactly what the recipient likes. For a casual group occasion, a sharing mix is a better fit; individually wrapped chocolate biscuits make a different kind of treat for the journey, rather than a substitute for a gift box. Whatever you choose, check the current label and protect the chocolate from heat while travelling.
A box of assorted chocolates is a good choice as a thank-you for a host or household. The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped chocolate bars; if you choose a different box, check which flavours it contains and how many pieces are included.
An assorted mix gives everyone something to choose from. Before buying, check how much the pack contains and read the label if you’ll be sharing it: different pieces in one mix may contain different ingredients.
Small, individually wrapped portions are easier to hand out during a journey or coffee break. Chocolate biscuits are well suited to this, but don’t have the same presentation as a chocolate gift box.
First decide whether the pack is mainly for a gift, to share or as a treat for the journey. Then check what’s inside, read the label and consider the conditions in which you’ll be carrying it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gifting and variety of flavours | Check the type of packaging, the number of pieces and the kinds of chocolate. | If I’m taking a thank-you gift and don’t know their favourite flavour, I want to give the recipient a choice. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers when choosing a gift. |
| Sharing | Compare the pack sizes and see whether the pieces are easy to hand out. | When I’m staying somewhere on holiday, I want to put out something that several people can choose from. Sharing is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Heat and transport | Read the storage advice and think about where the pack might be kept while you’re travelling. | If the treat has to travel with me on a day out, I want to avoid leaving the chocolate somewhere warm for too long. Transport is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack, including for assorted mixes. | When I’m buying something for others, I first want to know whether they can eat the ingredients. Checking the label is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
An assortment may contain several allergens. For the Merci Gift Box, Albert Heijn lists milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients, and warns that the pack may contain peanuts and egg.
If you know the recipient has an allergy, ask which ingredients they need to avoid and check the ingredients list and warnings on the current packaging.
The product information for the Merci Gift Box says to protect it from heat. Heat can change the appearance of chocolate, which may be unwelcome when you’re giving it as a gift.
Keep the pack out of direct sunlight and follow the storage advice on the label while travelling and at your holiday destination.
An individually wrapped chocolate biscuit is handy as a small treat, but doesn’t offer the choice of flavours or presentation of a chocolate gift box.
Choose biscuits for the journey or to enjoy with coffee; choose a gift box when presentation is important.
Ingredients and ranges can change. Jumbo reported that the 196 g Celebrations pack described was no longer part of its online range.
Check current availability before buying, and read the label on the pack you’ve actually bought before serving it.
The 400 g Gift Box described by Albert Heijn is an example of a chocolate gift to take along when visiting someone on holiday. It contains 32 individually wrapped bars in assorted varieties.
The 196 g mix described by Jumbo combines mini chocolate and biscuit products for a casual sharing occasion.
The Speculoos Belgian chocolate multipack described by Albert Heijn contains six packs of three biscuits. It’s an alternative for a small treat on the go, rather than the same type of product as a chocolate gift box.
These Joybuy products range from chocolate for a holiday thank-you to assorted packs for sharing and a wafer for the journey. Check whether each product’s packaging suits the occasion, and check the current label and best-before date before buying.
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A chocolate gift for anyone looking to take something along when visiting someone on holiday. Check the current label for allergens and follow the storage advice while travelling.
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An assortment for a casual sharing occasion with a group. Check the pack to see which varieties it contains, and read the allergen information before handing it out.
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A smaller chocolate collection to consider as a thank-you gift. If presentation matters, check the actual packaging, and read the current label for allergen information.
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A chocolate assortment for a casual occasion with others. If you’re planning to give it as a gift, check the contents and presentation on the pack, and read the allergen information too.
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A chocolate wafer to consider as a treat for the journey, rather than a substitute for a box of assorted chocolates. Check the best-before date on the pack you receive and read the current label.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging and, if you know the recipient has an allergy, ask which ingredients they need to avoid. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly distinguishable from other ingredients; for a mix, look out for warnings such as ‘may contain’ too.
Follow the storage advice on the pack and don’t leave chocolate in direct sunlight or a warm car for long periods. The product information for the Merci Gift Box says to protect it from heat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a white bloom on chocolate is not harmful in itself, but you should also check the packaging and best-before date.
For a gift, it’s best to choose a pack with a best-before date that gives the recipient time to enjoy it. For an unopened pack, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises following the instructions and date; after the best-before date, you can assess the product by looking at it, smelling it and tasting it.
Check the current product page or the shelves at the shop where you plan to buy it. Jumbo reported that the 196 g Celebrations mix described was no longer part of its online range; that doesn’t tell you whether other pack sizes are available or whether it’s stocked by other shops.
