Anyone looking for a box of chocolates
You want to give chocolate and don’t want to choose aniseed sprinkles by mistake. De Ruijter describes them as sugar-coated aniseed seeds traditionally eaten to celebrate a birth.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone buying for someone with allergies or dietary requirements
You need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before giving the box. The assortments mentioned here have different ingredients.
Anyone who wants the gift to feel special
You’re looking for packaging and contents that suit the recipient: a heart-shaped box, an assortment with several flavours or individually wrapped chocolates to share.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you mean aniseed sprinkles or a chocolate gift. If you’re choosing a box of chocolates, compare the ingredients, assortment and packaging based on what matters to the recipient.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the variety you’ve chosen, especially for milk, nuts, soya, egg or cereals containing gluten. | If the recipient has an allergy or dietary requirement, I want to be able to check the ingredients before giving them something. For around 31% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Variety and sharing | Compare the number of chocolates, the flavours and whether they’re individually wrapped. Albert Heijn lists 32 wrapped chocolates in the Merci gift box and 22 wrapped chocolates in ten flavours in Tony's Chocolonely Tiny's gift box. | If more people will be sharing the gift, I want them to have a choice of chocolates. For around 25% of consumers, sharing and variety of flavours matter most. |
| Gift presentation | Check whether the shape and contents will suit the recipient; Albert Heijn describes the Lindt Lindor mixed chocolate heart as a heart-shaped box containing milk, dark and white chocolates. | I want the packaging itself to suit the Mother’s Day gesture, without forgetting the recipient’s taste. For around 25% of consumers, presentation is the first consideration. |
| Type of product | Check whether you’re looking for sugar-coated aniseed seeds or a box of chocolates; De Ruijter describes aniseed sprinkles as the former. | If I specifically want aniseed sprinkles, a box of chocolates isn’t the same product. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this choice of product. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking aniseed sprinkles for chocolates
According to De Ruijter, aniseed sprinkles are sugar-coated aniseed seeds traditionally eaten to celebrate a birth. So they’re not the right choice if you’re looking for a box of chocolates.
Choose the product you actually want to give: aniseed sprinkles if that’s what you’re looking for, or a box of chocolates if chocolate is meant to be the gift.
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Judging the gift by the outside of the box alone
A mixed box of chocolates may contain ingredients and allergens that aren’t obvious from the gift packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on food labels.
Check the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying, especially if the recipient has a relevant allergy.
Brands for these chocolate gifts
Merci
The Merci gift box is a good option if you want to give several types of chocolate in one box.
- Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in eight varieties.
- The product information lists ingredients including milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, and says it may contain peanuts and egg. Check the label if allergens are a concern.
Tony's Chocolonely
The Tiny's gift box is a good choice if you want a gift that can be shared as individually wrapped chocolates.
- Albert Heijn lists 22 Tiny's chocolates in ten flavours, made with different types of chocolate.
- The ingredients include, or may include, allergens such as milk, soya, nuts, egg and cereals containing gluten. Read the information on the packaging you choose.
Lindt
The Lindor mixed chocolate heart puts the focus on a heart-shaped gift box.
- Albert Heijn describes a 200 g box containing milk, dark and white chocolates.
- The product information lists milk, soya and barley, and says it may contain hazelnuts and other nuts. Check the latest allergen information.
Joybuy products
Related products will appear here soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are aniseed sprinkles a box of chocolates?
No. De Ruijter describes aniseed sprinkles as sugar-coated aniseed seeds traditionally eaten on rusks to celebrate a birth. If you want to give a box of chocolates for Mother’s Day, look for a chocolate gift instead.
How do I choose a box of chocolates for someone with an allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the box you’ve chosen. The assortments mentioned have different ingredients and may contain milk, nuts, soya, egg or cereals containing gluten, among other things.
How should I store the box of chocolates before giving it?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for the box you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn’s product information advises protecting the Merci gift box from heat and storing the Lindt chocolates mentioned in a cool, dry place.
When is the next Mother’s Day in the Netherlands?
According to Kalender 365, Mother’s Day in the Netherlands falls on Sunday 9 May 2027. If you’re ordering a gift for that day, check that the delivery date you choose works for when you want to give it.