For sharing different flavours with a group
If your guests don’t all want the same crisps, a box that clearly lists its varieties gives you more choice without having to open several large bags. Check how many bags of each variety the box contains.
Which size works best for you?
For keeping or taking bags with you
Any individual bags left unopened after your film night can be saved for another snack break or a lunchbox. Check the weight per bag, too: the number of bags alone doesn’t tell you how much crisps you’re getting.
For comparing labels
Different flavours may also have different ingredients and allergens. Read the labels on the relevant bags and compare the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many people want a bag and whether you’d like to keep some for later. Then check the flavour mix, weight and labels. More bags don’t necessarily mean more crisps.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour variety | Which varieties are included and how many bags there are of each flavour. | If guests want different snacks, I don’t want almost all the bags to be the same flavour. Around 33% of consumers put flavour variety first. |
| Individual portions | The number of bags and the weight per bag. | I want to hand them out during the film and keep any unopened bags for a lunchbox or another time. This portion format is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Total contents | The total net weight as well as the number of bags. | When planning for a group, I want to know how many crisps are in the box, not just how many packs it contains. This is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Label and nutritional information | The ingredients and allergens for each variety; compare salt and fat per 100 g for similar snacks. | If I’m sharing snacks with someone who needs to watch what they eat, I read the label for every relevant variety. Around 20% of consumers give checking the label the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming lots of bags means lots of crisps
A multipack with lots of small bags may have a different total weight from what you’d expect based on the number of bags.
Compare the total net weight and, if listed, the weight per bag before choosing a size for your group.
-
Assuming every variety box will suit every guest
A box may combine potato crisps with other savoury snacks. Flavours and ingredients can vary from bag to bag.
Check the quantities of each variety and, if anyone has allergies, read the labels on all relevant snacks.
-
Relying on an old product description
Ingredients, nutritional information and the contents of a box can change.
Before buying, check the current packaging, including the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and best-before date.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Lay's features in variety boxes with individual bags; some boxes also include snacks from other brands.
- Albert Heijn lists a Celebration Box with 30 bags and a Mega Box with 20 bags and a detailed mix of snacks.
- Contents vary by box. Check the number of each variety and the allergens listed for the relevant bags.
Pringles
Pringles Original is an option if you’d like to choose a single flavour in advance. Albert Heijn lists an Original 12-pack; Pringles also offers individual sizes of 40 g, 70 g and 165 g.
- An Original multipack keeps things simple when that’s the flavour your group wants.
- It won’t offer the same range of flavours as a variety box. Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s snack brand, which it promotes for occasions such as film nights, with a range of savoury snacks.
- According to Lidl, the range includes different flavours and types of snack.
- Check the specific packaging to see whether it’s a multipack and what it contains, including its flavours.
Crisps multipacks for film night and beyond
These Joybuy products include variety boxes with different numbers of bags and a Sharing Mix with a stated total weight. Choose based on the number of people and what you’d like to keep for later; for variety boxes, check the exact contents on the packaging.
No image available
Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 bags
A variety box for sharing individual bags during the film. If the mix or the weight per bag is important to you, check how many of each variety are included.
No image available
Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 items
A box of individual snacks to share when you’re looking for a few different varieties for a group. The Joybuy product description says it contains 20 items; check the current packaging for the number of each variety and the allergens listed for each one.
No image available
Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix for anyone who wants to factor in the total quantity when planning a film night. The product name states 180 g; if you want to hand out individual portions, check the bags and the flavour mix.
No image available
Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 bags
A 12-bag box for sharing out or saving individual portions. Don’t rely on the box name to tell you exactly which flavours are included: check the contents and the labels on the individual snacks.
No image available
Lay's Family Box, 15 packs
A box of individual packs to share during the film or save for later. The Joybuy product description says it contains 15 packs of Lay's, Cheetos and Bugles snacks; check the exact flavours, portion sizes and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags do I need for a film night?
First, decide whether everyone will have their own bag and whether you want to save any for later. Then compare the number of bags with the total weight and, where listed, the weight per bag. For example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's boxes with 20 and 30 bags, but the contents vary by box.
Does a bigger box contain more crisps?
You can’t tell from the number of bags alone. Compare the total net weight of the boxes and check the portion size if you want to know whether the bags will suit your group.
Should I check the allergens for each flavour in a variety box?
Yes. If someone has an allergy, check the labels on every snack they might eat. Different varieties can contain different ingredients; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
What should I check if I want to save bags for later?
Check the best-before date and any storage instructions on the packaging. Individual, unopened bags are handy if you don’t eat everything during the film night. Once opened, follow the instructions for that product.