Organisers who want to hand out treats quickly
If attendees will help themselves at different times, individually wrapped portions are a practical choice. Just check how many portions the box contains.
Which treat is right for you?
Organisers who need to consider allergens
For this group, checking the ingredients and allergens matters more than the presentation of the box. Also look for warnings about possible traces of allergens on the packaging you choose.
Organisers planning a coffee break
If you’re looking for a biscuit to have with tea or coffee, it doesn’t need to be a chocolate gift. Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as an accompaniment to coffee.
What should you look for when choosing?
Individually wrapped chocolates
Choose these when: attendees need to help themselves to a portion without sharing from a platter.
Consider: individual wrappers create more packaging than a shared platter; check the allergens in each assortment.
Truffles or pralines
Choose these when: a smaller meeting has room for everyone to share a box or platter.
Consider: unwrapped chocolates need a little more thought when serving and sharing them.
Biscuits with tea or coffee
Choose these when: you want a simple accompaniment to a drink rather than a box of chocolates.
Consider: biscuits won’t automatically suit every dietary requirement, so check the label on the variety you choose.
First, decide how you want to serve the treats and what attendees can eat. Then consider the flavours you’d like and how many portions you’ll need.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of serving | Count the individual portions and check whether they’re individually wrapped. | If attendees arrive at different times, you’ll want everyone to be able to help themselves. Ease of serving is the top priority for around 27% of consumers choosing a treat for a meeting. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact packaging. | If attendees need to avoid certain ingredients, your choice should suit their needs. Checking allergens is the top priority for roughly 33% of these consumers. |
| Flavours and presentation | Check which varieties are in the box and whether the individual pieces are easy to identify or separated. | For a treat, you’ll want to cater for different preferences without assuming every flavour is suitable for everyone. Variety comes first for around 20% of these consumers. |
| Number of portions | Compare the number of pieces with the number of attendees and decide whether you need extra portions. | For a larger group, you won’t want to run out partway through, while leftovers may be less desirable for a small meeting. Having enough portions is the top priority for around 20% of these consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing meeting treats
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Assuming a mixed box will suit everyone
An assortment may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for everyone attending. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods.
Check the exact packaging before you buy; don’t rely on the brand name or picture alone.
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Choosing a box without counting the portions
A box of 16 pieces will suit a different group size from a box of 32. Albert Heijn lists these quantities for the Ferrero Rocher box and merci Gift Box discussed here, respectively.
Count how many people are expected, then check how many individual pieces are in the variety you’ve chosen.
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Choosing a shared platter when people need to help themselves
Loose truffles need a place where attendees can help themselves, as well as a little thought about how to serve them.
Check whether individually wrapped portions would work better if people will arrive at different times.
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Storing chocolate somewhere too warm
Heat can affect the condition of chocolate before the meeting.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and only put the box out when you need it.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos biscuits for a tea or coffee break, as an alternative to a box of chocolates.
- Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits in Lotus Biscoff Speculoos 250 g and describes this variety as suitable for vegans.
- This doesn’t automatically apply to other Lotus products; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose.
merci
A chocolate gift with individually wrapped bars, ideal for a meeting where attendees can help themselves.
- Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped bars and eight varieties in the merci Gift Box.
- Check the exact variety for allergens: the Gift Box described lists milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, and may also contain peanuts and egg.
Ferrero Rocher
A box of individual chocolates for a smaller treat.
- The packaging discussed contains 16 pieces; compare this with the size of your meeting.
- For the product described, Albert Heijn lists hazelnut, milk, soya and wheat among the allergens.
Choceur
ALDI’s chocolate brand, with products including truffles and praline chocolate.
- ALDI lists both truffles and praline chocolate in the Choceur range.
- For a specific box, check the number of pieces, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Biscuits and chocolate for a work meeting
These Joybuy products include biscuits to go with tea or coffee, chocolate biscuit sticks and a small chocolate collection. Check how you’ll serve the pieces and how many you’ll need for everyone attending.
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Lu Scholiertje biscuits with milk chocolate, 150 g
A biscuit option for a meeting with tea or coffee. If you want to put out an individual portion for everyone, check how many portions the pack contains.
If anyone has allergies, check the ingredients and warnings on the latest label.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos biscuits, 250 g
Ideal with tea or coffee. Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits in this 250 g variety and describes it as suitable for vegans.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose, and see how the biscuits are packed if you want to serve them individually.
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g'woon coffee biscuits, 250 g
A biscuit option for a tea or coffee break. Decide how many biscuits you’d like to offer each attendee and whether the packaging suits the way you want to serve them.
If anyone has allergies, read the latest label before choosing this variety for the group.
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Glico Pocky Cookie Bar Chocolate Flavor IN, 47 g
Chocolate biscuit sticks to consider for a small treat at work. Check the number of pieces and individual portions before deciding how many packs you’ll need.
Read the allergen information on the packaging you choose.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to consider for a smaller treat. If attendees need to help themselves to an individual portion, check the number of pieces and how the chocolates are packaged.
Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the label if I’m bringing pre-packed treats?
Yes, check the exact packaging before choosing chocolate or biscuits for others. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods. Also look for warnings about possible traces of allergens.
Is a chocolate assortment suitable if someone needs to avoid nuts?
Don’t assume it is: ingredients vary between boxes and varieties. Albert Heijn lists hazelnut in the Ferrero Rocher packaging discussed here, while the merci Gift Box described lists hazelnut and almond, among other ingredients. Check the packaging you choose against the needs of everyone attending.
How should I store chocolate before the meeting?
Follow the storage instructions on the box and keep the chocolate away from heat. The product information for the merci and Ferrero Rocher packaging discussed here advises protecting it from heat.
When are Lotus Biscoff biscuits a better choice than a box of chocolates?
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a good fit for a meeting where a biscuit with tea or coffee is all you need. Jumbo describes the 250 g variety discussed here as suitable for vegans. For dietary requirements and allergens, always check the packaging of the product you actually choose.