Organisers expecting lots of visitors
If you want to hand out sealed portions quickly, it helps to count the individual wrappers or bags in advance. Jumbo lists 120 individually wrapped biscuits in its Elite Coffee Time Biscuit Mix.
Who is this relevant to?
Stallholders who want to hand out portions
A bag containing two biscuits is one portion to hand out, not two individually wrapped biscuits. Jumbo describes the Lotus Biscoff XL pack as ten bags, each containing two biscuits.
Sellers who need to provide allergen information
If you’re offering several types of biscuits, you need to be able to check the information for each one. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked food, while information about unpackaged products must be provided by other means.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how many sealed portions you want to hand out at the Christmas market. Then compare the contents of each portion and the product information you need to have available for visitors.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Handing biscuits out quickly | Count the individually wrapped biscuits and match the number to the expected visitors. | At a busy stall, I want to hand out sealed biscuits without having to put each portion together. Around 36% of consumers prioritise being able to hand them out quickly. |
| Portion size | Check how many bags are in the pack and how many biscuits each bag contains. | If I want to give everyone the same small portion, it matters whether each wrapper contains one or two biscuits. For around 29% of consumers, portion size is the main consideration. |
| Allergen information | Read the current label for each variety and have the information available when handing them out. | If visitors ask about ingredients or allergens, I want to be able to show them the information for that specific biscuit. This is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the number of sealed portions with your estimate of visitor numbers. | For a short market or an uncertain turnout, I don’t want to rely solely on a large box. Around 14% of consumers prioritise a small, easy-to-count stock. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘packed in twos’ means individually wrapped
According to Jumbo, Lotus Biscoff XL contains ten bags, each with two biscuits. That gives you ten sealed portions to hand out, not twenty individually wrapped biscuits.
Before buying, note both the number of bags and the number of biscuits in each one.
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Comparing only the total number of biscuits
Jumbo lists 120 individually wrapped biscuits in Elite Coffee Time, while ALDI lists six individually wrapped Goud Gebakken Koekhappers. The number of ready-to-hand-out portions therefore varies considerably.
First compare the number of sealed portions, then decide which type of product you want to offer.
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Thinking a sealed wrapper answers every question
An assortment may contain different recipes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked food must appear on the label; for unpackaged products, this information must be provided to consumers by other means.
Check the label for each variety and keep the relevant product information to hand while handing them out.
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Checking stall requirements only after buying
Business.gov.nl explains that traders with a market stall need a market permit from the local council, and that hygiene requirements apply when preparing and selling food at events. The requirements for your Christmas market depend on the specific circumstances.
Ask the organiser and local council in advance what permission and procedures you’ll need for your stall.
Brands to consider
Elite
The Coffee Time Biscuit Mix is an option if you want to hand out lots of individual biscuits.
- Jumbo lists 120 individually wrapped biscuits in four varieties.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety; an assortment may contain more than one recipe.
Lotus Biscoff
The XL speculoos biscuits are a good fit if you want to hand out two biscuits at a time.
- According to Jumbo, the pack contains ten bags, each with two biscuits.
- There are ten sealed portions to hand out; the biscuits aren’t individually wrapped.
Goud Gebakken
Koekhappers are individually wrapped, soft biscuits for handing out in small quantities.
- ALDI lists six individually wrapped biscuits.
- A koekhapper isn’t a crunchy biscuit, so check that this type of product suits your offering.
Peijnenburg
The plain ontbijtkoek is a different type of product from a biscuit and can be handed out individually.
- Jumbo lists a 4-pack with individually wrapped portions.
- With just four individual portions, it’s best suited to a small stock or as an extra option.
Kinder
Kinderini offers small portions of two biscuits.
- Albert Heijn lists a pack of four portions, each containing two biscuits.
- Allow for four portions to hand out and check the latest allergen information.
Biscuits on Joybuy
These biscuits are worth considering if you want to hand out portions at a Christmas market. Check how many sealed portions each pack contains; the number of biscuits or the way they’re divided into packs doesn’t always make this clear.
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Fruit Biscuit Coconut Snaps, 5 × 3 biscuits
Worth considering if you want to hand out portions of three coconut biscuits. The product name lists 15 biscuits in a 5 × 3 pack; check the current packaging for allergen information.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 biscuits, 200 g
Consider these speculoos biscuits if you want to put together small portions. The product name lists eight biscuits and 200 g; before buying, check how they’re packed and how many sealed portions you’ll get.
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Oreo raspberry and blueberry sandwich biscuits, 97 g, 2 multipacks
The two multipacks may be useful if you’re handing out a limited number of portions. Check how many biscuits each multipack contains and read the allergen information on the current packaging.
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LU Scholiertje biscuits with milk chocolate, 150 g
If you want to hand these biscuits out in portions, check the packaging for the number of sealed portions and how much each contains. The product name lists a pack size of 150 g.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3 × 77 g
The three 77 g packs make this an option worth looking into for handing out. Check how many individually wrapped biscuits they contain before estimating how many visitors they’ll cover.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘packed in twos’ mean individually wrapped?
No. With biscuits packed in twos, two biscuits are in one sealed portion. Jumbo lists ten bags of Lotus Biscoff XL, each containing two biscuits, so count ten bags when planning how many portions to hand out.
What allergen information should I have available for biscuits?
Check the current label for each variety and have the relevant information available for visitors. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked food; for unpackaged products, it must be provided to consumers by other means.
Do I need permission to run my own Christmas market stall?
Ask the organiser and local council what permissions apply to your stall. Business.gov.nl explains that traders with a market stall need a market permit from the local council, but you’ll need to check the specific requirements for a Christmas market with the relevant parties.
Do hygiene requirements also apply when selling at an event?
Yes. The hygiene requirements that apply depend on what you do at your stall. Business.gov.nl states that anyone preparing and selling food or drink at an event needs a food safety plan or hygiene code. If you’re only selling sealed, prepacked biscuits, ask which requirements apply to your particular set-up.