For a games night, start by choosing a box with enough ice lollies for everyone. An assorted box lets you offer a choice of flavours without having to scoop and serve, but check the ingredients for each product in case any guests need to avoid certain ingredients. Plan how you’ll get the lollies home and into the freezer, too.
If several people are playing, the number of ice lollies in each box makes it easier to plan an individual dessert without cutting or serving during the game. Carrefour and ALDI, for example, list boxes in different sizes.
An assorted box can offer several flavours in one pack. Check which flavours are actually included, though: the assortments listed by Carrefour, ALDI and Joybuy are not interchangeable.
If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, check the exact product before serving. The Carrefour product listings we reviewed declare milk, soya or almonds, depending on the product.
Count the portions before comparing flavours. Then check the ingredients and whether you can get the box you’ve chosen for your games night.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the players and anyone joining them, then check the number of ice lollies in the box rather than looking only at the total weight. | To make sure everyone can have a dessert between rounds, some hosts prefer a ready-to-serve portion for each person; around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Choice of flavours | Check which flavours are included and, if listed, how many of each. | When guests don’t all like the same flavours, offering several options without buying multiple boxes is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the box you buy. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, you’ll need to choose based on the exact recipe; around 25% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Local availability | Confirm the size and flavours available at your chosen shop, click-and-collect service or delivery provider. | When the games night is coming up, finding your chosen box at your preferred retailer takes priority over the other criteria for around 17% of consumers. |
The total weight won’t tell you how many people can have an ice lolly. Carrefour and ALDI, for example, list boxes of 6, 8 or 12.
Compare the number of ice lollies with the number of desserts you want to serve.
An assorted box may contain recipes with different ingredients. The Carrefour Extra assortment of 8 ice lollies, for example, declares milk, soya and almonds.
Check the label on the box you buy, and plan another option if a guest needs to avoid a listed ingredient.
Travel and delays before putting them away can interrupt the cold chain.
The DGCCRF recommends picking up frozen food at the end of your shop, keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag if possible. Put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as you get home.
A catalogue or category page doesn’t guarantee that your chosen shop will stock the size you want for your games night.
Confirm the product and number of ice lollies with the shop, click-and-collect service or delivery provider you plan to use.
An option for groups looking for chocolate-coated mini ice lollies: Carrefour lists a box of 6 Magnum Mini Chocolat ice lollies, while Joybuy offers a Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment.
The range includes boxes of mini ice lollies in packs of 6 or 8, according to the Carrefour listings we reviewed.
ALDI France lists a box of 12 MUCCI mini ice lollies, making it worth considering when the number of portions is your top priority.
Here, Auchan is a retailer to compare, rather than a single brand of ice lollies: its category includes different brands and pack sizes.
These boxes of individually portioned ice lollies come in different pack sizes and flavours for a games night. Choose a size to suit your group, then check the ingredients of the product you plan to serve.
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Consider this if you’d like to offer a group of up to six people a choice of chocolatey flavours, with one ice lolly each.
The box lists 6 ice lollies with a total weight of 254 g. Check the packaging for milk and nuts before serving guests who need to avoid them.
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The 12-piece box may suit a larger group if you’re planning one ice lolly per person and want a choice of flavours.
The allergen information in the product descriptions is contradictory, so check the label on the box you buy before serving. Do not refreeze the ice lollies once thawed.
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Worth considering if your group would prefer orange and cherry flavours to a chocolate assortment.
The box lists 12 ice lollies with a total weight of 444 g. If any guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the packaging for information about possible traces. Do not refreeze the product once thawed.
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This single-flavour option is worth considering if you know your group likes melon; the box contains 8 ice lollies of 70 ml each.
The product description lists milk and includes a warning about the colour E102 and children’s activity and attention. Read the label before serving, especially if children are joining your games night.
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This single-flavour box may suit a group looking for coconut-flavoured ice lollies; it contains 8 pieces of 70 ml each.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging before serving, especially if a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients.
Divide the number of people by the number of ice lollies in each box, then round up to the next whole number of boxes. For example, a box of 8 gives you eight portions if you’re planning one ice lolly per person. Always check the number listed for the product you choose.
Don’t assume it is: Carrefour’s listing for Magnum Mini Chocolat declares milk, while its listing for the Carrefour Extra assortment also declares soya and almonds. Ask your guest what they need to avoid, then check the label on the exact box.
Pick them up at the end of your shop and put them in the freezer as soon as you get home. To keep them cold on the way, the DGCCRF recommends limiting transport time and using an insulated bag if possible.
Check the flavours offered by the retailer you plan to use. Category pages and catalogues from retailers such as ALDI or Lidl may relate to a particular period or shop, so choose your assortment based on the box actually available for your order or shop.