For lots of small compartments, a box of individually wrapped chocolates is a practical choice, provided the chocolates fit in the compartments. Taaitaai is a good fit for a calendar with a spiced Sinterklaas treat, but check the size and packaging of the biscuits before assigning them to particular days. For either option, check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging.
If you want to add one treat for each day, the number of pieces and their dimensions matter more than the pack’s weight alone. For example, Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in the Merci Gift Box. Check that they’ll fit in your compartments, too.
Taaitaai can add a spiced change from chocolate for a few days. Jumbo lists around 36 portions in its St Nicholas Taaitaai Figures pack, but a portion size alone doesn’t tell you the dimensions or whether each biscuit is individually wrapped.
If your calendar is for several people, every product you choose needs to be suitable for them. The taaitaai and chocolate boxes reviewed contain different ingredients and allergens, so check the current packaging for each variety.
Choose this if: you want an individually wrapped treat for each day. Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped pieces in the Merci Gift Box reviewed.
Bear in mind: even an individually wrapped chocolate needs to fit in the compartment and be stored as directed.
Choose this if: you want to add a spiced Sinterklaas treat to your calendar.
Bear in mind: the roughly 36 portions listed by Jumbo for its pack don’t confirm that each portion is individually wrapped or will fit in a small compartment.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual daily treats | Count the compartments and individual pieces. For small compartments, measure the internal dimensions as well as the treat. | I want to add a treat for each day without having to divide portions on the spot; around 40% of consumers prioritise individual treats that fit. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information for each variety you choose; for pralines, check whether alcohol is listed, too. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the name of an assortment box. Around 30% of consumers give checking ingredients and allergens their highest priority. |
| Flavour and season | Decide whether you mainly want chocolate, would like to include taaitaai for a few days, or want to mix things up. Then check what’s available at your shop. | I want to give the calendar a Sinterklaas touch or alternate between different treats; around 30% of consumers prioritise flavour and seasonal appeal. |
Jumbo lists around 36 portions in its St Nicholas Taaitaai Figures pack. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get 36 individually wrapped biscuits or that they’ll fit in small calendar compartments.
Measure the compartments and check the biscuits and their packaging before setting aside days for taaitaai. Larger bags may be an alternative if the compartments turn out to be too small.
The Merci Gift Box listed by Albert Heijn contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients. The product information for the Belchic pralines shown by PLUS also lists alcohol.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact box you’re buying for each recipient. If it contains anything they need to avoid, choose a product whose information confirms it’s suitable.
According to the product information, the Merci Gift Box reviewed needs to be protected from heat. PLUS says the Belchic pralines reviewed should be stored in a dry place at 14–18 °C.
Store these products somewhere that meets their storage instructions, rather than near a radiator or in direct sunlight.
A product page doesn’t necessarily mean an item is available at your shop. For example, the PLUS page consulted for the Merci Gift Box said it wasn’t available at the selected shop.
Check availability at your chosen shop before planning the calendar around a particular pack.
Worth a look if you want to browse taaitaai and chocolate gifts at the same supermarket.
Worth a look if you’re after a box of chocolates with a stated number of individual pieces.
Worth a look if you’d like to browse pralines or a box of chocolates at your local shop.
Worth a look if you’re considering mini taaitaai and chocolate as seasonal treats.
These Joybuy products offer chocolate or chocolate treats for a calendar you fill yourself. For each pack, consider how many days you want it to cover and check that the pieces fit in your compartments; taaitaai is a separate option.
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An option if you’re looking for an individually wrapped chocolate for lots of days in your calendar.
Joybuy lists 32 individually wrapped chocolates in this 400 g box. Compare the size of a chocolate with your compartments and check the current ingredients and allergen information.
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A matcha and chocolate option for some days in the calendar, alongside other treats.
The product name lists 9 pieces and 104.4g. Check the packaging and piece dimensions before setting aside compartments for them, and check the best-before date.
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A chocolate wafer for days when you fancy a change from a chocolate or taaitaai.
The pack is listed as 180 g. Check how many wafers it contains, how they’re packaged and their dimensions to work out how many compartments they could fill.
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An option for a few days if you’d rather use a tube of chocolate sweets than a chocolate from a box.
The product name lists 6 tubes of 34 g. Measure them if your calendar has small compartments, and check the current ingredients and allergen information too.
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A box of chocolates to consider if you want to mix several types of treat in your calendar.
The product name lists 288 g. Before planning your calendar, check how many bars are in the box, whether they’re individually wrapped and if they’ll fit in the compartments. Check the current ingredients and allergen information, too.
It may be possible based on the number of portions listed: Jumbo says its 500 g pack of St Nicholas Taaitaai Figures contains around 36 portions. Do check that you can divide the biscuits into individual treats as you’d like, and that they fit in your compartments or bags.
The current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen is your final check for ingredients and allergens. Product information on a shop’s website can change, so also check the best-before date and storage instructions on the product you buy.
Follow the storage instructions for each product and choose a suitable place. The taaitaai reviewed should be stored in a cool, dry place; the Merci Gift Box should be protected from heat; and PLUS lists a dry place at 14–18 °C for the Belchic pralines reviewed.
Not necessarily: availability can vary between shops or change. Check your chosen branch or delivery area before building your calendar around a particular box or seasonal pack.
