Choose a chocolate selection with individually wrapped pieces if you want guests to help themselves during your coffee morning. Pralines are better suited to a personal thank-you, while coffee biscuits are an accompaniment to coffee, not a substitute for a box of chocolates. Check the number of pieces, ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose.
You want guests to be able to help themselves without having to hand out the chocolate. A box of individually wrapped pieces could work well; check how many pieces your chosen option contains. For example, Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped bars in the 250 g merci Assorti Doos.
You’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a host, colleague or visitor, where presentation matters more than the number of individual portions. A selection of pralines or a gift box is a better fit than an ordinary chocolate bar.
You want to check which ingredients may be relevant to your guests before serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods, so check the packaging of the exact product you’ve chosen.
First decide whether the chocolate is for sharing or as a gift. Then choose what you’d like to serve alongside the coffee.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Check how many pieces are individually wrapped and whether that’s enough for your group. | If guests are helping themselves, I don’t want to have to keep handing out chocolate; around 36% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Gift presentation | Check whether it’s a gift box, a selection of pralines or an ordinary pack. | For a thank-you, I want something I can hand over as a gift. Around 27% of consumers prioritise presentation. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. | If guests have food allergies, I want to know what’s in the treat first; around 27% of consumers make this their main priority. |
| Biscuits with coffee | Decide whether you’d like to serve biscuits alongside the chocolate, and check the individual packaging if guests will be helping themselves. | If I mainly want something to serve with coffee, I’m more likely to choose biscuits as an accompaniment. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this. |
Different chocolates in the same box may contain different ingredients and allergens. So even packaging that looks suitable for sharing won’t necessarily be right for every guest.
If you know a guest has a food allergy, ask them in advance what they need and check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging of the box you’ve chosen.
The weight of a box doesn’t tell you how many individual portions guests can help themselves to. For example, Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped bars in the 250 g merci Assorti Doos.
Compare the number of pieces listed with the size of your group, and check whether the chocolate is individually wrapped.
Lidl lists its handmade pralines as an in-store-only product. So if you want to give this selection as a gift, don’t assume you can order it online.
Check shortly before your coffee morning whether your preferred option is available in store, and choose a different gift box if necessary.
Coffee biscuits to accompany a chocolate treat.
A shop selling chocolate gifts, including boxes of individually wrapped pieces.
A shop selling merci selection boxes in a range of sizes.
An in-store option for gifts such as pralines.
A shop and own-brand option offering chocolate in different formats.
These products suit different kinds of coffee morning: a chocolate selection to share, chocolate to give as a thoughtful gift, and biscuits to enjoy with coffee. Check that the number of pieces and allergen information on each pack are right for your group.
Image unavailable
A good choice for a coffee table where guests can help themselves to chocolate, or as a thank-you gift. Check the packaging of this 400 g option for the number of individually wrapped pieces and allergen information.
Image unavailable
Just right for a small chocolate gift. If you’d like to share the chocolates among several guests, check how many pieces there are and whether they’re individually wrapped. Also read the current allergen information.
Image unavailable
A praline option to share with a small group. Check the packaging if individual portions or gift presentation matter, and check the allergen information before serving.
Image unavailable
The birthday design makes this a thoughtful personal gift. If you’d also like to share the pralines during your coffee morning, check whether they’re individually wrapped and read the current allergen information.
Image unavailable
A biscuit to enjoy with coffee, as an accompaniment to chocolate rather than a chocolate gift box. Check the portion packaging if you want guests to be able to help themselves, and read the label for allergen information.
A selection of individually wrapped pieces is practical if guests are going to help themselves. Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped bars in eight varieties in the 250 g merci Assorti Doos; check that the number of pieces and ingredients in the box you choose are right for your group.
No. Check the label on the packaging you buy and serve, too. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods, and product information can change.
Pralines can make a thoughtful personal thank-you, while individually wrapped chocolate may be more practical when lots of guests will be helping themselves. If you’d like Lidl’s handmade pralines, bear in mind that Lidl lists them as available in store only.
You can share a chocolate bar at the table, but it won’t necessarily offer individual portions or gift packaging. Decide whether you want to share the chocolate or give it as a gift, then check the packaging format and the number of usable pieces.
