Start by choosing crisps multipacks based on how many sealed portions you want to hand out: a box of 30 bags suits a larger Christmas party, while 12 or 15 bags may be a better fit for a smaller gathering. A mixed box gives guests more choice, but check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. If you want to give guests something to take home, sealed bags are more practical than crisps from an opened large bag.
Want to offer guests a choice of snacks without opening several large bags? A mixed box gives them a choice of individually portioned snacks. Check which varieties are included and how many bags of each the pack contains.
If you have a rough idea of how many guests will want their own bag, you can compare a pack of 12 or 15 portions with that number. That way, you don't have to rely on the pack's total weight alone.
You can give guests an unopened bag to enjoy after the party. Just make sure you have enough individually wrapped portions, as well as bags for guests to eat during the party.
Decide how many bags you want to hand out, including any you plan to give guests to take home. Then compare the flavour mix, the amount in each bag and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of sealed portions | Count the individual bags and check how many grams each contains; the same total weight doesn't necessarily mean the same number of portions. | For a larger Christmas party, I want to be able to give every guest their own bag without opening a large one. For around 36% of consumers, having enough individual portions comes first. |
| Flavour choice | Check which varieties are in the box and how many bags there are of each, if that matters to your guests. | If guests have different tastes, I'd rather offer them a choice than give everyone the same bag. Around 29% of consumers give variety the highest priority. |
| Pack size to suit your needs | Compare the number of bags you need with the pack size, and remember to set aside any portions you plan to give guests to take home. | For a small Christmas get-together, I want enough bags without lots of unopened portions left over. That's the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the current ingredients, allergen and nutritional information per 100 g or per portion for the relevant varieties on the packaging. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check which bag is suitable; portion size may also influence my choice. For around 14% of consumers, this information matters most. |
When you're handing snacks out, what matters is how many individual bags you have. A higher total weight doesn't tell you how many guests can have a sealed portion.
Work out how many bags you'll need during the party and for guests to take home, then compare the amount in each bag.
Different varieties in the same box may contain different ingredients and allergens. So you can't assume a mixed box is suitable for every guest without checking.
Read the current information for the relevant varieties before serving, and keep the packaging available for guests who want to check the label themselves.
Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So the packaging you receive or pick up in store matters when making your final choice.
Check the physical label, especially if a particular flavour or ingredient is a deciding factor.
Lidl lists the 15-bag multipack we looked at as an in-store product. If that's the pack you want, your shopping trip may not go to plan.
Check current availability before you set off, and decide which other pack size would also suit your number of guests.
These examples can help you compare pack sizes and types of mixed box. A brand name alone doesn't tell you what's in every bag.
Albert Heijn lists the Lay's Celebration box as containing 30 bags. That size could suit a larger Christmas party if you're looking for individually portioned snacks.
Albert Heijn lists Pringles Original as 12 packs of 40 g: an easy-to-count option if one flavour is enough.
Jumbo lists a multipack of 15 bags of 25 g in paprika and plain flavours. It may suit anyone looking to offer two flavours to a smaller group.
Albert Heijn offers crisps multipacks from different brands and in different sizes, so you can compare quantities across its range.
Lidl lists a multipack of 15 mixed bags and describes Snack Day as its own snack brand. Check which product and varieties you're buying.
A listing on Amazon.nl describes Smiths Spek Frietjes as a multipack of 24 bags of 24 g. It's a specific example you can compare by product name and size.
These packs offer individual portions for a Christmas party, ranging from 12 to 20 bags. Choose between a single flavour and a mix to suit your guests, and check the labels on the bags before serving.
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For a party where you want to hand out 20 individual portions and offer a choice of the snack brands listed. If it matters to your guests, check the mix of varieties and their ingredients on the packaging.
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For a smaller gathering looking for 15 individual portions and a mix. Check the packaging to see how many bags there are of each variety, and read the allergen information before serving.
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For anyone wanting to hand out or give away 12 individual portions of the same flavour. The information for this Original variety lists wheat and cereals containing gluten; milk and soya may be present. Check the current label.
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For a smaller Christmas party where you want to put out 15 individual portions. Check the packaging for the mix, the weight per bag and the ingredients in each variety.
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For a small group looking for 12 individual portions with a choice of varieties. Check the current packaging for the quantity of each variety, portion weights and allergens.
Count how many guests will get their own bag and whether you also want to give any away at the end. Compare that number with the quantity on the pack; the options discussed here include 12, 15, 20 or 30 individual portions.
Yes. Check the current information for the relevant varieties, as ingredients can differ within a mix. Keep the packaging available so guests can check which ingredients and allergens matter to them.
You can give guests individually sealed bags to take home after the party, rather than dividing crisps from an opened large bag. Factor these portions in when choosing the pack size; the size alone says nothing about the nutritional value.
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging you buy. Jumbo says its paprika and plain multipack should be stored in a cool, dry place; check the instructions again if you choose a different pack.
Check the ingredients on the current packaging every time. Albert Heijn notes that product information, including ingredients, nutritional values and allergens, can change.
