Organisers handing out treats to individuals
A chocolate letter, coin or figure is instantly recognisable as a Sinterklaas treat. If you’re buying for a crowd, check how many pieces are included.
Which option is right for you?
Shoppers buying a chocolate gift to share
A box of assorted chocolates could be a good choice for a family, volunteer or host. Compare the contents and number of pieces with the number of recipients.
Shoppers buying for someone with a food allergy
For this group, checking the actual packaging comes before choosing a theme. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the allergens listed on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need a personal Sinterklaas gift, a gift to share or an individual treat for each person. Then check the quantity and ingredients on each pack.
Chocolate letter, coin or Sinterklaas figure
Best for: a recognisable Sinterklaas moment or a small gift for each person.
Consider: the shape doesn’t automatically offer a choice of flavours or enough pieces for a group, and the range is seasonal.
Assorted chocolate box
Best for: a shared gift where a choice of different chocolates matters.
Consider: a standard gift box won’t necessarily have a Sinterklaas theme; check the allergens for the exact product.
Individually wrapped chocolate
Best for: handing out treats to several people without opening a shared box.
Consider: individually wrapped pieces won’t automatically offer different flavours or a Sinterklaas theme.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sinterklaas shape and gift size | Compare letters, coins and figures; check how many pieces are in the pack. | If I want to give every visitor something recognisably festive, the shape matters more than having a choice of flavours. Around 45% of consumers prioritise this recognisable look. |
| Sharing and variety | Compare the net weight, number of pieces and flavours; check whether the pieces are individually wrapped. | For a shared gift, I want to know whether there’s enough choice and enough pieces. For around 33% of consumers, sharing or variety is the main consideration. |
| Allergens and best-before date | Read the ingredients and allergens on the physical packaging; also check the best-before date and storage advice. | If I’m giving treats to someone with a food allergy, I need to be able to check the specific packaging. Checking the label is the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a Sinterklaas shape means it’s a multipack
A chocolate letter or small figure can make a personal gift, but it won’t automatically provide enough portions or a variety of flavours for a group.
Decide how many people you want to give a treat to, then compare the number of pieces in each pack.
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Guessing the allergens from the name or shape
A product title doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are in the version you’re buying. Albert Heijn points out that online food information can change.
Before buying and handing out the treats, read the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the actual packaging.
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Expecting the seasonal range to stay the same
Chocolate letters, coins and figures are seasonal products, so what’s available can vary by shop and time of year.
Check shortly before the parade to see which packs are available and whether they contain the number of pieces you need.
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Treating baker’s salt and chocolate as the same product
Information from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority about iodine compounds in bread and other bakery products doesn’t describe the ingredients in a box of chocolates.
If you’re handing out currant buns as well as chocolate, check the ingredients and allergen labels for each product separately.
Brands and retailers to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s Sinterklaas range includes chocolate figures and coins.
- Useful for comparing Sinterklaas-themed shapes and smaller treats.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both chocolate gifts and chocolate for Sinterklaas.
- You can compare a gift box with a themed treat.
- Compare the contents and ingredients of the exact pack.
PLUS
PLUS’s Sinterklaas range includes chocolate letters, coins and hollow figures.
- The different shapes can help you choose a personal Sinterklaas gift.
- Check the current range if you need a particular shape.
ALDI
ALDI’s Sinterklaas range includes chocolate letters, assortments and figures.
- Offers different shapes of seasonal chocolate to compare.
- Check whether the item you want is currently available.
Lidl
Lidl describes its Favorina seasonal chocolate and its cocoa policy for own-brand products.
- According to Lidl, its Favorina seasonal chocolate is Fairtrade-certified.
- This doesn’t automatically apply to every chocolate product in store; check the product you’ve chosen.
Chocolate products at Joybuy
These products are boxes of chocolate and chocolate you can share or hand out individually. If you’re specifically looking for a Sinterklaas shape, check the packaging of the product you choose.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift to consider if sharing and a choice of flavours matter more than a Sinterklaas shape.
If you’re buying for several recipients, check the number of individual pieces and the allergens on the packaging.
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Nestle Kitkat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
The pack of 9 pieces could work if you want to hand out the chocolate individually.
Before buying, check the best-before date against when you plan to hand out the treats, and check the allergens on the packaging.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
The 6 tubes give you a set number of pieces to distribute among recipients.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy before handing them out.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A small chocolate selection to consider as a thank-you gift when you don’t need a Sinterklaas shape.
Check the number of pieces on the pack if you want to share them out, and check the allergens too.
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M&M's Minis Milk Chocolate More To Share, 176 g
A bag of chocolate to consider for a treat you can share.
If you want to give each recipient a sealed portion, check the packaging and the number of individual pieces. If you have allergies, read the label.
Frequently asked questions
Which chocolate is easiest to hand out individually?
Choose a pack with a number of individual pieces that matches the number of recipients. If you want the treat to be instantly recognisable as Sinterklaas chocolate, look for letters, coins or figures and check how many are in the pack.
Can I rely on allergen information on a webpage?
Use it to help you prepare, but check the label on the actual pack before handing anything out. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information can change; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the allergens listed on the label.
Can I buy chocolate well before the parade?
Check that the best-before date and storage advice on the packaging are suitable for the day you plan to hand out the chocolate. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends following the storage advice on the packaging when it’s unopened.
What does information about iodised baker’s salt mean for a box of chocolates?
It doesn’t tell you what’s in the box of chocolates. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority discusses iodine compounds in bread and other bakery products; check the ingredients label separately for chocolate and any currant buns.