For a Christmas party with guests who have different tastes, an assortment box of individual bags is a practical choice: guests can choose what they like, and you can hand the bags out straight away. If you’d also like to use any leftovers for lunchboxes, a multipack of one familiar flavour may be more convenient. Whichever you choose, check the number and size of the bags, and read the latest ingredients and allergen information if any of your guests have food allergies.
If you want to put out bags so guests can choose their own flavour, look for an assortment box. Albert Heijn, for example, lists boxes with 20 or 30 individual bags; check which snacks are included in the box you choose.
If guests may want to take bags home after the party, the number of sealed bags, the weight of each bag and a familiar flavour are all important. Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika in packs of 20 × 40 g, among other options.
If you’re buying for guests with a food allergy or specific dietary requirements, read the information on the latest packaging. Snacks in an assortment box may contain different ingredients, and a flavour name won’t tell you which allergens are present.
Choose this: if party guests want a choice of flavours and you’d like to hand out individual bags. According to Albert Heijn and Lay's, the Lay's Celebration Box combines 30 bags of Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos snacks.
Bear in mind: the snacks may contain different ingredients and allergens. Check the latest packaging for any guests who need to know.
Choose this: if a familiar flavour and sealed bags for later use matter more than having a mix to choose from. Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika separately in packs of 20 × 40 g.
Bear in mind: offering just one flavour gives party guests less choice. Check that the size of each bag also suits how you plan to share out the leftovers.
First, decide what you’ll mainly use the bags for: handing them out at the party or saving some for individual lunchboxes. Then compare the following details on the specific packaging.
| What to look for | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual bags | Count the individual bags and compare the total with the number of guests who want crisps. | I want to put out or hand out bags without opening one large bag. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Variety of flavours | Check which flavours and types of snack are actually in the box. | If guests have different tastes, I don’t want to risk choosing just one flavour. This freedom of choice is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Lunchboxes and familiar flavours | Check the number of sealed bags, the weight of each bag and the flavour. | I want to be able to give any leftover bags to people individually later on. For around 25% of consumers, this predictable way of sharing them out comes first. |
| Label and ingredients | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; compare the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g. | When I’m buying for someone with a food allergy or specific dietary requirements, I need to know what the chosen snacks contain. Around 19% of consumers give checking the label top priority. |
A heavier multipack doesn’t necessarily give you as many sealed portions as a box of individual bags. That matters if you want to hand out the crisps or give some to guests to take home.
Compare the number of bags first, then check the weight of each bag and the flavours.
An assortment box may contain snacks with different ingredients. If any guests have a food allergy, you can’t rely on the name of the box or a single flavour.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging for the specific assortment. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels for pre-packed foods.
A description such as 12-pack doesn’t tell you how large each item is. The contents of each individual pack also matter if you’re sharing them out among people.
Check the packaging to see how many sealed portions you get and how much each one weighs.
Portions may be defined differently for each product, so values per portion aren’t always directly comparable.
Compare similar products per 100 g and check the nutrition information for the values that matter to you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing per 100 g because manufacturers set their own portion sizes.
If you want to hand out a variety of bags, the Celebration Box and Mega Box are specific pack sizes worth comparing. Albert Heijn lists 30 and 20 bags respectively.
Original is an option to consider if one familiar flavour matters more than an assortment box. If you choose a multipack, check the size of the individual packs.
As a retailer, Albert Heijn lists both the Lay's Mega Box with 20 bags and the Celebration Box with 30 bags.
Snack Day is Lidl Netherlands’ own snack brand, offering a range of crisps and snacks.
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks in flavours including Barbecue and Paprika, in 100 g packs. These are specific options to consider if guests are looking for these snacks in particular.
These assortment boxes contain individual bags that you can hand out at a Christmas party. Compare the number of bags and the listed contents if you’d also like to give any leftovers to guests individually.
Image unavailable
An assortment box of individual snacks to hand out to guests with different tastes.
Contains 20 pieces. Joybuy’s product information lists milk and soya as allergens for this Mega Box; check the latest packaging before buying for guests with a food allergy.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to put out plenty of individual bags and is looking for a snack assortment.
The pack contains two sets of 15 bags. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the different snacks in the box.
Image unavailable
A box of individual bags to hand out at the party or give to guests to take home for later.
The pack contains two sets of 12 pieces. Check the weight of the bags and the allergen information on the latest packaging if these details matter to your choice.
Image unavailable
A smaller assortment box if you want to share out 15 individual bags.
According to the product information, the box contains Lay's, Cheetos and Bugles snacks. Check the latest contents and allergen information before deciding which guests the bags are suitable for.
Image unavailable
An assortment of individual bags for anyone looking to hand out a box of 12 pieces.
The product information lists Lay's Max Paprika, Lay's Max Ready Salted, Doritos Nacho Cheese and Sensations Real Sweet Chilli. Check the weight of each bag and the allergen information on the latest packaging.
Base the number of bags on how many guests are likely to want crisps and whether you’d like to save some for later. Albert Heijn, for example, lists 20 bags in the Lay's Mega Box and 30 in the Celebration Box; check the stated quantity for the box you choose.
It can be, if the individual flavours and pack sizes suit the people who’ll take the bags home. If you want the same flavour and portion each time, consider a multipack with one flavour too, and check the weight of each bag.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the specific box and the snacks it contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on pre-packed foods; Joybuy’s product information lists milk and soya for the Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box shown here.
Compare similar products per 100 g if, for example, salt or saturated fat matters to your choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this approach because manufacturers may use different portion sizes. If you’re planning individual portions, also check how much is in each bag.
If certain ingredients matter to you or your guests, use the latest packaging to check them. Pringles says that recipes may change and recommends reading the ingredients list and nutrition information on the pack.
