Gifting for coffee time
You’re looking for a box of chocolates to take along and want to consider the recipient’s taste preferences and any allergies.
Who are you buying something for to enjoy with coffee?
Hosting visitors
You want something you can share, such as biscuits or a selection, and need to weigh up quantity, variety and how well it keeps once opened.
Shoppers who need to check the label
You’re choosing for someone with a food allergy or who needs to avoid a particular ingredient. In that case, the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging matter more than how the box looks.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re taking a gift or looking for something for the coffee table. Then compare the product type, quantity and information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking a gift | Check whether you’re buying a chocolate collection, a selection of chocolates or a standard pack of chocolate. Check the net weight and packaging. | If I’m taking something along, I want the packaging to suit the occasion and the recipient to have a choice of flavours. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sharing biscuits | Choose between biscuits and chocolate biscuits, and check the quantity and storage advice once opened. | When I have visitors, I want to be able to put enough biscuits on the table without opening a gift box. Ease of sharing is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Checking allergens | Read the allergen information on the exact pack, including details for the different items in a selection and any cross-contamination warnings. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I need to know whether the whole pack is suitable for them. This check matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Compare the net weight of similar products and check whether the item is available from your preferred shop or delivery service. | If I’m stocking up for several coffee breaks, I want to know how much I’m getting and whether I can buy the item. This is the first thing around 14% of consumers consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every chocolate in a selection has the same ingredients
Fillings and types of chocolate can vary. The allergen information for the Celebrations gift jar on Joybuy lists milk, peanuts, wheat, soya, barley and egg, among other allergens; this doesn’t tell you what’s in another selection.
If someone has an allergy, check the current packaging for the exact selection, not just a photo or the brand name.
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Assuming a large box contains a lot
Chocolate gifts come in a range of sizes. The outer packaging doesn’t tell you how much chocolate is inside.
Check the net weight before comparing packs. Also consider whether the recipient would prefer a smaller selection or more of one type.
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Assuming a listed item is available to order immediately
A product listing doesn’t tell you which ordering options are currently available. Lidl says that certain 140 g chocolates are only available in store.
Check the latest online ordering or in-store options just before you buy, especially if you need the gift for a particular day.
Brands and shops to explore
Lotus Biscoff
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a familiar biscuit to enjoy with coffee.
- Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour, made to enjoy with coffee.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the specific variety.
Albert Heijn
A shop range where you can compare different types of chocolate gifts.
- Albert Heijn shows gift boxes in a range of sizes, including a 400 g box.
- Check the contents and current packaging for each item; a similar size doesn’t mean the contents are the same.
Jumbo
A shop where you can explore chocolate gifts, chocolates and chocolate biscuits as separate product types.
- Jumbo has separate categories for chocolate gifts and chocolate biscuits.
- Compare products within the type you’re looking for; a pack of biscuits won’t necessarily serve the same purpose as a gift box.
Lidl / Sondey
Sondey is a Lidl brand covering items such as cookies and biscuits; Lidl also sells chocolates.
- The Lidl brand page shows a range of cookies and biscuits under Sondey.
- Check how each item is sold: Lidl lists certain chocolates as available in store only.
ALDI / Choceur
A shop and brand combination to explore for chocolate and pralines to give as a gift or serve with coffee.
- ALDI Netherlands lists 300 g Choceur pralines with a crunchy filling.
- Check the current variety and availability before assuming a particular range is in stock.
Products for coffee time on Joybuy
These products offer a few options for the coffee table: chocolate biscuits, biscuits and stroopwafels, plus a chocolate collection you could consider as a gift. If presentation or an allergy is important, check the packaging for the variety you choose.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
An option if you want to serve chocolate biscuits with coffee.
150 g pack. If someone has an allergy, check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie, 250 g
A biscuit to serve with coffee.
250 g pack. Check the label for ingredients, allergens and storage advice once opened.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10 × 12.5 g
An option if you’d like to offer small chocolate treats with coffee.
The title lists ten pieces of 12.5 g. Check the current packaging to see which variety you’re buying and which allergens are listed.
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Kanjers Extra Delicious Stroopwafels, 10 pieces
An alternative to biscuits if you’d like to serve stroopwafels with coffee.
The pack contains ten pieces. Check the net weight and allergen information on the current packaging if you need them to make your choice.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to consider as a small gift for a coffee break.
125 g pack. Check how the product is presented and, if someone has an allergy, read the label on the exact collection.
Frequently asked questions
When should I take a box of chocolates instead of biscuits?
A chocolate collection makes a thoughtful gift when the packaging and choice of flavours are part of the gesture. If you’re mainly looking for something to put on the table for regular coffee breaks, biscuits or chocolate biscuits are another option. In either case, check the contents and any allergens in the product you choose.
Do I need to check all the allergens in a mixed box of chocolates?
Yes. If the recipient has a food allergy, the information for the whole selection needs to suit their needs. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products must be provided on the label. Also read any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging.
How should I store biscuits or an opened pack of chocolates?
Follow the storage advice on the exact packaging, including after opening. Check how the product should be resealed and what storage conditions are recommended. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a best-before date relates to a product’s quality.
Is a larger box of chocolates automatically a better gift?
No. The size of the box doesn’t tell you whether the contents will suit the recipient. Compare the net weight, types of chocolate and presentation. If they have an allergy or need to avoid an ingredient, the information on the exact packaging matters more than how it looks.