Choose a box of chocolates if you want to give someone a thoughtful gift; put stroopwafels out if they’re mainly for guests to enjoy with coffee or tea. If you’re buying for a group, consider how many pieces you’ll need. Whatever you choose, check the allergens on the packaging against your guests’ requirements.
If you want to give a gift to a household or guest, a box of chocolates may be more suitable for the occasion than a pack of biscuits to put out on the table. Check the contents and presentation of the particular box, and make sure it meets the recipient’s allergen requirements.
If you’re serving coffee or tea to several people during Sinterklaas evening, stroopwafels are a handy option to put out. Compare the number of wafers with the number of guests, and check the allergens on the packaging you choose.
If you’re buying for someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients, base your choice on the label of the specific product. A gluten-free stroopwafel may still contain other allergens, such as egg or lupin.
Best suited to: giving chocolate as a gift in its own right, when the contents and presentation of the box suit the recipient.
Bear in mind: fillings and allergens vary by product. Check how the box should be stored until you give it.
Best suited to: serving something for guests to enjoy with a hot drink during the evening.
Bear in mind: the number of wafers in the pack and the allergens in your chosen variety will determine whether it’s suitable for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift or treat to serve | For chocolates, check the contents, filling and packaging. For stroopwafels, decide whether you want to put them out or hand them round. | I want to give someone a thoughtful gift, not just put something out with the coffee. Around 43% of consumers give this gift-related consideration top priority. |
| Sharing during the evening | Compare the number and size of the pieces: Albert Heijn lists 10 wafers in a Daelmans pack, Lidl lists 12 for Sondey and PLUS lists 25 for Daelmans Mini Stroopwafels. | With several guests, I want to be able to put out enough individual pieces without having to divide everything up first. Around 29% of consumers prioritise ease of sharing. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging, even for a gluten-free product. | If I’m buying for someone with specific allergen requirements, the packaging must confirm that the product is suitable for them. This is the main concern for around 28% of consumers. |
According to Jumbo, its 240 g gluten-free stroopwafels contain egg and lupin, and may contain nuts and sesame.
Check the full allergen information on the packaging for the recipient, including any warnings about possible traces.
The weight doesn’t tell you how many individual wafers you can hand out. The Daelmans, Sondey and Daelmans Mini packs mentioned contain different quantities.
Decide how many people you want to serve, then compare both the number and size of the pieces.
A product’s ingredients and allergens can change. If you’re buying for someone with allergen requirements, the information on the specific packaging is what matters.
Read the label just before giving or serving the product, even if you’ve looked at it online before.
Damaged packaging or unsuitable storage can spoil the presentation of a chocolate gift.
Choose an undamaged box and follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging.
Stroopwafels to enjoy with coffee or tea. Albert Heijn lists 10 wafers and 290 g for a Daelmans pack.
Offers examples of both stroopwafels and chocolates. AH Chocolade zeevruchten is a 250 g chocolate product with a hazelnut praline filling.
Offers, among other products, 468 g butter stroopwafels with 12 portions, as well as a separate 240 g gluten-free stroopwafel variety.
Lists, among other products, Daelmans Mini Stroopwafels Caramel in packs of 25, as well as standard stroopwafels.
Lists Sondey butter stroopwafels in a pack of 12, weighing 480 g.
Lists a stroopwafel pack containing 12 wafers and weighing 378 g.
These Joybuy products include stroopwafels for enjoying with coffee or tea, and chocolate packs to give as a gift or share. A chocolate pack isn’t necessarily a box of chocolates, so check the product type and packaging if you specifically want to give a box of chocolates.
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An option for handing round stroopwafels with coffee or tea.
The pack contains 8 pieces. Check the allergens on the current packaging before serving. The product information lists wheat, milk and soya, and notes the possible presence of other allergens.
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For anyone who wants to put stroopwafels out with coffee or tea and plan how many pieces to serve in advance.
The pack contains 10 pieces. If allergens are a concern, check the current label. The product information lists wheat, milk and soya, and notes the possible presence of other allergens.
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A chocolate pack to consider as a thoughtful gift or to share; it isn’t a box of chocolates.
The stated weight is 288 g. Before giving it, check the outer packaging and current label. The product information lists allergens including milk, almonds and hazelnuts.
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A chocolate assortment to consider if you want to share something during the evening instead of serving stroopwafels with coffee.
The stated weight is 143 g. Check the number of individual pieces if that matters for your group, and read the label for allergens. The product information lists wheat, soya, milk and nuts, among other allergens.
Yes. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens: according to Jumbo, its 240 g gluten-free stroopwafels contain egg and lupin, and may contain nuts and sesame. Always read the label on the pack you choose to make sure it’s suitable for the recipient.
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place, and seal an opened pack tightly. For unopened packs, Voedingscentrum advises following the best-before date and instructions on the label.
On dark chocolate, a white coating can be fat that has come to the surface. According to Voedingscentrum, this is harmless. If you’re giving the chocolate as a gift, it’s still worth checking the condition of the chocolate and its packaging.
No. If the recipient’s allergen requirements matter, read the packaging of the specific product. Lidl says it doesn’t have a complete online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products.
