Sharing treats on King’s Day
You want to share chocolate with a group. PLUS describes its Celebrations assortment as a sharing pack; check how many portions are in the box you choose and how they’re packaged.
Who is this for?
Giving a personal thank-you
You’re looking for a box for one recipient rather than a treat to pass around. Jumbo describes its merci assortment box as containing individually wrapped chocolate bars.
Bakers looking for anise sprinkles
You want a topping for rusks or decoration for cakes, not a chocolate gift. Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter sprinkles as sugar-coated anise seeds.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a topping or chocolate. If it’s chocolate, choose between sharing it and giving it as a gift, then check the packaging and ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing | Check the number of portions and whether the pieces are individually wrapped. | If I’m handing out chocolate at a gathering, I want to be able to offer portions easily. Around 31% of consumers prioritise shareability. |
| Personal gift | Consider the type of box, what’s inside and which flavours the recipient likes. | For one recipient, I’d rather choose a gift box than a large sharing pack. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a personal gift. |
| Quantity and size | Compare the net weight and product format: chocolates, bars or an assortment. | I want enough chocolate for everyone I’m giving it to, without choosing awkward packaging. For around 23% of consumers, quantity is the most important factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; also check for alcohol. | If I need to consider what someone can or wants to eat, I want to know what’s in the chocolate before sharing it. For around 15% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking anise sprinkles for a chocolate gift
The De Ruijter sprinkles described by Albert Heijn are sugar-coated anise seeds, not chocolates.
Choose anise sprinkles if you want a topping or decoration; for a chocolate gift, choose a box of chocolates.
-
Sharing an assortment without reading the label
Ingredients and allergens vary from product to product. A box of pralines may also contain alcohol, as shown by the product information for the Belchic cream pralines featured at PLUS.
Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, especially if you need to take an allergy into account.
Brands and shops to explore
De Ruijter
Worth considering if by anise sprinkles you mean a topping, rather than a box of chocolates.
- Albert Heijn describes the sprinkles featured here as sugar-coated anise seeds.
- Check the label on the variety you choose; the pink and white variety featured here contains wheat.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare different types of chocolate gifts.
- Its online chocolate gift range includes gift boxes.
- Check the contents and ingredients of the product you ultimately choose.
Jumbo
A shop with categories for chocolate gifts and chocolates.
- The merci assortment box described contains individually wrapped chocolate bars.
- Don’t assume the ingredients in that box apply to other assortments.
Lidl
A shop with a chocolate range featuring different product formats.
- Lidl describes Way To Go as an assortment of chocolate bars.
- A bar is a different type of gift from a box of chocolates or a gift box.
ALDI
A shop where you can explore Moser Roth chocolates, among other options.
- The assortment described includes different types of chocolates.
- Check the label and packaging of the variety you choose.
PLUS
A shop with both sharing assortments and boxes of pralines.
- PLUS describes a Celebrations box as a sharing pack and Belchic as cream pralines.
- The Belchic cream pralines described list milk, nuts, soya and alcohol among their ingredients.
Chocolate products at Joybuy
These products come in different formats, suitable for a personal chocolate gift or an informal King’s Day treat. Not every pack is a gift box, so if you’re sharing, check the portions and packaging too.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A 125 g chocolate collection to consider as a small, personal gift. If you want to share it, check how many pieces are inside and how they’re packaged.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted, 200 g
A 200 g box to consider for one recipient. If you want to share it with a group, check the packaging for the number of pieces and how they’re wrapped.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A 143 g chocolate assortment to consider for a gathering. If you want to hand it out without any extra preparation, check the number of portions and the packaging; don’t assume it comes in a gift box.
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M&M's Minis Milk Chocolate More To Share Pouch Bag, 176 g
A 176 g sharing pouch of milk chocolate for an informal treat, not a gift box. Think about how you’ll divide the contents: the product information lists four 44 g portions, not four individual packs.
Frequently asked questions
Are anise sprinkles the same as chocolates?
No. Albert Heijn describes the De Ruijter sprinkles featured here as sugar-coated anise seeds. If you’re looking for chocolate as a gift, consider a chocolate assortment or a box of chocolates.
What chocolate is easy to hand out on King’s Day?
An assortment with small, individually wrapped portions can be handy for a group. PLUS describes its Celebrations assortment as a sharing pack; check the number of portions and the allergen information on the box you choose.
What should I check if the recipient has an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before offering the chocolate. Don’t rely on the label for a different flavour, an older pack or a product photo alone.
Do I need an orange box of chocolates for King’s Day?
No. For a treat or a gift, choose packaging that suits the recipient and how you want to present the chocolate. If you want to match the festive theme, you can adapt the presentation yourself without choosing a different product format.