Anyone giving a personal shoe gift
You’re looking for something recognisable for one person, and want to choose a letter or flavour. PLUS describes chocolate letters as gifts, treats to put in a shoe, or presents for Sinterklaas Eve.
Who is each option for?
The occasion makes a difference: a gift for one person calls for something different from sweets to share or a topping for cakes.
Shoppers buying for a group or family
You want something to share or hand out at the parade or during a later visit. ALDI’s Sinterklaas range includes chocolate letters and assorted sweets, among other things. Choose a product that suits the number of people and the occasion.
Anyone checking allergens or dietary requirements
You need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack. A vegan label doesn’t mean a chocolate letter is free from soya, nuts or warnings about possible cross-contamination.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re looking for a personal gift or something to share. If you’re choosing for someone with an allergy or dietary requirement, always check the exact packaging.
| What you’re looking for | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A personal gift | Check whether the chocolate letter and flavour you want are available, and confirm the exact variety. | I want to give one person a recognisable Sinterklaas gift that suits their preferences. For around 50% of consumers, a personal gift like this comes first. |
| Something to share | Compare the product type and pack weight, and think about how you want to hand out the sweets. | If several people are joining in, I want to bring something that’s easy to share out. For around 30% of consumers, sharing is the main priority. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the physical packaging. | If someone has a relevant allergy or dietary requirement, I need to know what the chosen option contains before considering its flavour or suitability as a gift. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking sugared aniseed sprinkles for a chocolate gift
De Ruijter describes its sugared aniseed sprinkles as a topping for bread and crispbread, among other things. They’re used differently from the chocolate letters that PLUS presents as gifts or treats to put in a shoe.
If you’re looking for a gift for one person, start by choosing a suitable type of gift. Only pick up sugared aniseed sprinkles if you specifically want to add a bread topping or decoration.
-
Assuming vegan means allergen-free
The vegan Hands Off chocolate letter described by PLUS contains soya and hazelnuts, and also carries warnings about other allergens, including milk and egg.
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, check the allergen information on the exact pack. Don’t rely on the word ‘vegan’ alone.
-
Counting on a particular letter or flavour
A range page doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s available in your chosen shop. This can be a problem if you’re looking for a particular initial or variety.
Check current availability at your chosen shop, and decide in advance which other letter or flavour you’d be happy with.
If your preferred option isn’t available, you may need to make an extra trip to another shop.
-
Reading only the online product description
If you’re choosing for someone with an allergy or dietary requirement, the ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the specific product are important. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the need for allergens to be listed on food labels.
Check the physical packaging before giving or serving the product.
Brands and shops to explore
These examples show the types of products you may come across. A brand or range mentioned here doesn’t guarantee that a specific option will be available in your shop.
De Ruijter
The sugared aniseed sprinkles reviewed are intended as a bread topping or decoration, rather than as a Sinterklaas chocolate gift.
- The pink and blue-and-white varieties reviewed come in 330 g packs.
- The product information for the blue-and-white variety lists wheat and gluten; check the label on the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
The chocolate letter range includes different brands, flavours and varieties, including a vegan letter.
- You can look for a letter that suits the recipient’s taste.
- Check whether the variety you choose is available in your shop.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both plain chocolate letters and varieties with fillings or toppings.
- There’s a choice of a plain letter or one with extra ingredients.
- The milk chocolate letter described contains milk and soya, and may contain nuts, peanuts and gluten; check the exact packaging.
PLUS
The range includes classic chocolate letters and special varieties, including a vegan letter by Hands Off.
- You can choose a plain letter or a variety with extra ingredients to suit the recipient’s preferences.
- The vegan letter described contains soya and hazelnuts; ‘vegan’ doesn’t mean allergen-free.
ALDI
The Sinterklaas range described includes chocolate letters and assorted sweets, among other things.
- These product types suit different plans: a letter for one person or sweets to share.
- Check with your chosen shop if you’re counting on a specific seasonal variety.
Sugared aniseed sprinkles to add to your shopping
This product is a good choice if you want to pick up sugared aniseed sprinkles as a bread topping or decoration. If you’re looking for a chocolate gift for the Sinterklaas parade, it won’t replace a chocolate letter.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Blue & White Muisjes 330 g
For anyone looking for sugared aniseed sprinkles to add to their shopping, for example for bread, crispbread or decoration, rather than as a chocolate gift.
330 g pack. The product information lists wheat and gluten; if you have a relevant allergy or dietary requirement, check the packaging label too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give sugared aniseed sprinkles instead of a chocolate letter?
Sugared aniseed sprinkles aren’t necessarily a substitute for a chocolate letter if you’re looking for a recognisable Sinterklaas gift. The De Ruijter sprinkles reviewed are intended as a bread topping or decoration, while supermarkets also present chocolate letters as gifts and treats to put in a shoe.
Is a vegan chocolate letter suitable for someone with a food allergy?
You can’t tell from the vegan label alone. The vegan Hands Off letter described by PLUS contains soya and hazelnuts, and may also contain milk and egg. So be sure to check the allergen information on the exact packaging.
Where can I find allergen information for a pre-packed Sinterklaas product?
Check the label on the pack you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says the 14 regulated allergens must appear on the label and be clearly distinguishable in the ingredients list.
How should I store chocolate letters and sugared aniseed sprinkles?
Follow the storage advice and use-by or best-before information on the packaging of the product you buy. Once opened, keep the sugared aniseed sprinkles tightly sealed, following the instructions on the pack.