Who is each type of box for?

Sharing with a group who have different tastes

For visitors, colleagues or a Christmas gathering, individual portions and a range of flavours are practical. Check how many pieces the box contains and whether the mix suits the group.

Giving a small Christmas present

For one recipient or household, presentation may matter more than the number of individually wrapped chocolates. Compare the packaging with the amount you want to give.

Shopping with allergy or sourcing requirements in mind

If someone has a known allergy, the information on the specific packaging is what matters. If cacao sourcing or a certification is important to you, check that the information applies to the product you have chosen, not just to the brand.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to share the chocolates or give them as a present. Then check whether the recipients have any requirements relating to ingredients or sourcing. Taaitaai is a separate choice for your Christmas shopping list, not a type of chocolate box.

What to consider What to check Who is it important for?
Sharing and flavour variety Check the number of pieces, whether they are individually wrapped and the mix of flavours. If visitors need to be able to choose for themselves, I want portions that are easy to share. For around 27% of consumers, ease of sharing comes first.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warnings, on the packaging you have chosen. If I’m buying a gift for someone with a known allergy, I need to establish first whether the box is suitable. Checking for allergens is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Gift appeal Compare the shape of the box and its contents, and check whether any seasonal packaging is currently available. For one recipient, I’m more likely to look for a thoughtful gift than lots of individual portions. Presentation is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers.
Sourcing information Check whether any certification or claim about cacao sourcing applies to the specific product. If sourcing determines my choice, I want information about the chocolate I’m actually giving. For around 20% of consumers, this is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Buying an assorted box without checking for allergens

    Individually wrapped chocolates are handy for sharing, but that doesn’t mean they’re suitable for someone with an allergy. An assortment may contain a variety of ingredients and warnings.

    Ask about any known allergies and read the allergen information, including ‘may contain’ warnings, on the exact packaging you’re buying.

  • Assuming seasonal packaging will be available

    Finding a product page doesn’t mean the item is still on sale. An Albert Heijn page for a Celebrations gift box said ‘no longer available’; an ALDI page for Christmas figures said ‘unavailable’.

    Check current availability at the shop where you plan to buy, and consider keeping a non-seasonal box in mind as an alternative.

  • Looking only at the size of the box

    A box for one recipient and an assortment for a group serve different purposes. The packaging alone also doesn’t tell you how many portions are inside.

    Compare the weight and number of pieces with the number of people the chocolates are for.

  • Assuming a brand claim applies to every box

    Information about a certification or cacao sourcing may apply to just one product range. Lidl says the Fairtrade certification and traceability described apply to its Way To Go range; this doesn’t tell you anything about other chocolate boxes.

    Check the information on the specific product, and read the ingredients and allergen details separately.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples show the kinds of chocolate gifts you may come across. Check the contents and availability of each product individually.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has product pages for chocolate gifts, including Merci and Celebrations.

  • The 400 g Merci gift box is described as containing 32 individually wrapped pieces, with allergen information.
  • A Celebrations gift box was listed as ‘no longer available’; check current availability.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a chocolate gifts category that includes assorted boxes.

  • The 250 g Merci assorted box is described as a mix of 20 individually wrapped pieces.
  • Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific box you choose.

PLUS

PLUS features pralines and gift assortments, including a Celebrations mix.

  • The 385 g Celebrations box is described as a sharing pack.
  • Check the latest product information and packaging, especially the allergen details.

ALDI

ALDI’s chocolate range includes Moser Roth pralines and truffles.

  • Pralines and truffles offer a different presentation from a box of individually wrapped chocolates.
  • A Christmas figures product was listed as ‘unavailable’; check seasonal items before buying.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about Fairtrade and cacao sourcing for its Way To Go chocolate bars.

  • According to Lidl, the Way To Go bar is Fairtrade-certified and the cacao for this range is traceable.
  • This information relates to bars and doesn’t confirm that a chocolate box has the same features.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a box of individually wrapped chocolates suitable for sharing?

Individual wrapping makes the chocolates easy to share, but doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for someone with an allergy. Check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the box you’ve chosen for your guests.

Where can I find allergen information for prepacked chocolate?

Read the label on the specific packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food labels must list 14 allergens.

How should I store a chocolate box until Christmas?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If it says ‘store in a cool, dark place’, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it somewhere cool, dark and dry.

Are Christmas chocolates and gift boxes always available?

No. Don’t assume an item is available just because it has a product listing. An ALDI page for Christmas figures said ‘unavailable’, while an Albert Heijn page for a Celebrations gift box said ‘no longer available’. Check the current status with the shop where you plan to buy.