Choose a chocolate letter or figure if each recipient is getting their own Sinterklaas gift. Chocolate biscuits are ideal for sharing, while a box of chocolates is a good choice when you want to give something to a household or host. Check the quantity against the number of recipients, and if you’re buying for someone else, check the allergens on the packaging of the product you choose.
If you’re looking for something for each person to enjoy as a shoe gift or at a celebration around the parade, consider a chocolate letter, a Sinterklaas figure or a small chocolate treat. For example, Albert Heijn presents a Verkade chocolate letter as a product for putting in a shoe or giving on Pakjesavond (St Nicholas’ Eve).
If you want to serve chocolate with coffee or tea, the number of portions matters more than having a festive shape for each person. Jumbo and Lotus Bakeries both offer packs of chocolate biscuits containing multiple pieces.
If you’re buying for someone with a food allergy, check the ingredients and warnings for the exact product you’ve chosen. The product information for a Verkade chocolate letter and Lotus Biscoff with chocolate shows that the listed allergens vary from one product to another.
Choose this when: each recipient is getting their own recognisable Sinterklaas gift.
Consider: individual gifts are less suited to a treat that everyone shares there and then.
Choose these when: sharing a treat matters more than giving each person an individual gift.
Consider: an ordinary pack of biscuits won’t necessarily have a recognisable Sinterklaas design.
Choose this when: you want to give a household or host a box of assorted chocolates.
Consider: a shared box is less convenient if you need exactly one separate gift for each recipient.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Personal gift | Check the letter or festive shape, and make sure you have an individual product for each recipient. | If I want to give each child something of their own, I don’t want to have to split up a shared box. For around 40% of consumers, this kind of personal Sinterklaas gift would be the priority. |
| Easy to share | Compare the number of pieces, the net weight and the number of people you’re serving. | For a get-together, I want to be able to offer enough individual biscuits or chocolates. Easy sharing would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any relevant warnings for the product you’ve chosen. | If I’m buying for someone with a food allergy, the information on the packaging needs to be suitable for them. For around 30% of consumers, this check would determine what they buy. |
Biscuits can be great for sharing, but an ordinary multipack won’t necessarily give each recipient their own Sinterklaas gift.
Decide in advance whether you need individual gifts, a shared treat or one box for a household.
Flavours, fillings and coatings can mean different ingredients and warnings across products from the same brand.
Check the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning on the exact pack you’re buying.
A Sinterklaas product shown online may not be available at all times in your shop or delivery area.
Check the product’s current status and availability in your area shortly before buying.
Verkade’s range includes chocolate, chocolate biscuits and Sinterklaas products.
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff speculoos with chocolate as an option for a biscuit break.
Albert Heijn offers Sinterklaas chocolate in various shapes, including figures, letters and chocolates.
Jumbo has separate ranges for Sinterklaas sweets and chocolate biscuits.
Lidl features chocolate letters in its Sinterklaas range.
ALDI features Sinterklaas sweets and also has a range of biscuits and chocolate.
These Joybuy products are chocolate biscuits for anyone looking to share a treat around the Sinterklaas parade. If you’re looking for a chocolate letter, Sinterklaas figure or box of chocolates as a gift, choose that type of product first.
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For sharing with coffee or tea. The pack is labelled 150 g; check how many portions it will provide if you’re buying for a specific number of people.
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, read the ingredients and warnings on the pack you choose.
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Chocolate cream biscuits for sharing. Before buying, check the net weight and how the sales unit is packaged if you want to plan the number of portions.
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, read the label on the variant you choose.
Yes, especially if you’re buying for someone with a known food allergy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, 14 allergens must be listed on the label. Check the ingredients list and any warnings for the exact product you’re buying.
Check for the allergens that are relevant to the recipient, rather than making assumptions based on the product category. Lotus Bakeries lists wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients, for one Biscoff chocolate variant; Albert Heijn lists milk and soya for a Verkade chocolate letter, with a warning about nuts.
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for biscuits. Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen too.
Don’t expect Sinterklaas products to be in stock throughout the year. Albert Heijn, Lidl, Jumbo and ALDI feature seasonal products, so check that the item you want is available shortly before you buy.
