Households planning 24 individual portions
If one person will open a door each day, count the ice lolly sticks in each box before putting your selection together. A pack of 12 covers 12 doors, not the whole calendar.
Who is this choice for?
Households who prefer smaller portions and more variety
Mini ice lolly sticks and assorted packs let you alternate between flavours. If several people will share the calendar, also count how many portions you need for each day and check the allergens in every recipe.
People loyal to a particular brand or recipe
A classic or assorted Magnum ice lolly may suit a particular flavour or format preference. Check how many items are in the box and what it contains before adding it to your calendar.
What should you look for?
First work out how many portions you need, then choose their size and flavours. Check the ingredients and storage instructions for the boxes you plan to buy.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the ice lolly sticks in each box and add them up based on the number of doors and people. | I want one portion for every door, without running out before the calendar is finished. Around 33% of consumers would put covering all the days first. |
| Size and variety | Compare the number of items, the stated size of each one and the flavours in each assortment. | If smaller portions and different flavours matter more to my household, I’d rather combine formats that suit us. This would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on every box and for every recipe. | If someone in my household needs to avoid an ingredient, the contents matter more than the format. Nearly 20% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Storage | Make room in your freezer and follow the storage instructions on each pack. | If I need to store several boxes or have a long journey home after shopping, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies frozen. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the number of boxes with the number of days
A box of 8 or 12 ice lolly sticks won’t cover all 24 days for one person.
Add up the items in all the boxes you plan to buy, and adjust the total if several people will have an ice lolly on the same day.
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Assuming mini ice lollies are suitable for everyone
A smaller size doesn’t tell you what’s in the product. The Carrefour Extra assortment described by Carrefour includes milk, soya and almonds, among other possible allergens.
Check the label on the exact box, even if you switch to a different flavour or assortment.
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Putting the calendar together without planning for freezer space
Several boxes will take up space throughout the festive period. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature can compromise food safety.
Check how much space you have, pick up frozen products last and keep the journey home as short as possible. An insulated bag is best.
Brands to consider for your calendar
Carrefour Classic'
A range to consider if you want to cover several days with ice lolly sticks in the same flavour.
- Carrefour lists a box of 12 CARREFOUR CLASSIC' chocolate and vanilla ice lolly sticks.
- You’ll need more than one box of 12 to cover 24 individual days.
Carrefour Extra
A range to explore if you want mini portions with a choice of coatings.
- Carrefour describes an assortment of 8 mini ice lolly sticks, each weighing 32 g.
- This assortment contains milk, soya and almonds, among other ingredients. Check the box for any other allergen warnings too.
Magnum
A brand to consider if you have a particular Magnum recipe in mind for some of the days.
- The Magnum Classic listing featured by Carrefour specifies a box of 4 ice lolly sticks, each 100 mL.
- Check the ingredients for the product you choose: the Magnum Classic described contains milk and may contain several types of nuts.
Auchan
A retailer where you can look for ice lolly sticks, mini ice lolly sticks or frozen bars to cover several days.
- Auchan’s range brings together products from several brands in a variety of formats.
- Check the number of items and flavours in each product rather than assuming every assortment is put together in the same way.
MUCCI (ALDI)
A range to explore if you’re looking for mini ice lolly sticks or another stick format at ALDI.
- ALDI lists Mucci mini ice lolly sticks as well as a product containing 4 double-coated ice lolly sticks.
- Check the format and availability dates for the product you’re interested in.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère Eskiss
An option if you’re considering other frozen desserts, rather than a calendar made up entirely of individual ice lolly sticks.
- E.Leclerc lists Eskiss ice cream tubs among its products.
- A tub doesn’t provide individually wrapped ice lolly sticks, so you’ll need another way to portion it out if you choose this format.
Joybuy products to consider
These products offer individual frozen portions in boxes of 6, 8 or 12. CAPRI-SUN products are ice lollies that need to be frozen before eating; the other products below are ice lolly sticks or frozen bars. Count how many items you need for your calendar and check the ingredients in each box.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 items, 444 g
Worth considering if you want to spread 12 individual ice lollies across several days.
These ice lollies need to be frozen before eating, so make sure you have enough time and freezer space.
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PEPPA PIG strawberry and vanilla ice lolly sticks, 6 × 60 ml
This box gives you six individual days with strawberry and vanilla flavours.
Check the allergens on the exact box and follow its storage instructions. Do not refreeze the ice lolly sticks after thawing.
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Binggrae Melona melon, 8 ice lolly sticks, 70 ml each
The melon flavour adds something different to eight days in your calendar.
Check the label if milk or colourings are a consideration, and do not refreeze the ice lolly sticks after thawing.
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PAW Patrol vanilla and cocoa ice lolly sticks, 6 items, 270 g
This box of six ice lolly sticks is a good fit if you’d like to include a vanilla and cocoa recipe on some days.
The 270 g refers to the whole box. Check the allergen information on the label before sharing.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond, 8 frozen bars, 600 g
This box lets you set aside eight days for a vanilla, chocolate and almond recipe.
It contains milk and almonds; check the pack for any other allergen warnings. Pieces of nuts can also pose a choking risk for young children.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lolly sticks should I get for an Advent calendar?
For one person and 24 days, plan on 24 individual portions. Two boxes of 12 will cover all 24 days. If several people will have a treat each day, increase the number of portions accordingly.
Are mini ice lolly sticks a better choice for this calendar?
They’re a good choice if you want smaller portions or a range of flavours. The Carrefour Extra assortment described by Carrefour contains 8 items weighing 32 g each. Make sure the recipes and allergens are suitable for the people who’ll be having them.
How can I check the allergens in ice lolly sticks?
Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on every box you buy. Anses notes that relevant allergens must be highlighted on the label. Ingredients can vary between recipes and assortments.
How can I bring ice lollies home without breaking the cold chain?
Pick them up last while you’re shopping, keep the journey short and use an insulated bag if possible, as advised by the DGCCRF. Put them in the freezer as soon as you get home, following the instructions on each pack.