Parents organising a party for a group of children
If the children are different ages, ask about allergies and check that everyone can chew the sweets you’re considering before you prepare them to serve.
Who is this choice for?
Shoppers looking for an occasional sharing pack
For a party or group snack, match the pack size to the number of children and the other food you’re serving, so you don’t open a large pack unnecessarily.
Families shopping at a local retailer
If you need a particular product, check it’s available at your chosen shop or for your preferred collection option before planning the party around it.
What should you check before buying?
Start by checking the children’s ages and the ingredients. Then decide how much to serve and confirm that the product you want is available locally.
Sugared almonds
Consider these: for an occasional party, if the almonds and the product’s texture are suitable for all the children attending.
Bear in mind: the 500 g and 1 kg packs listed mean you’ll need to plan how much to serve and what to do with any leftovers.
Chocolate treats
Consider these: if you’re looking for individual treats to share rather than sugared almonds.
Bear in mind: a sharing pack doesn’t mean you can skip checking the allergens and age warnings for the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Age and chewing | Check the size and texture of the sweets, as well as the pack warnings. The warning on the 250 g KITKAT Ball product includes children under 4. | When young children are coming to the party, I want to know what I can serve them before opening the pack; around 36% of shoppers put age suitability first when choosing. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the exact pack. Sugared almonds and chocolate treats don’t necessarily contain the same ingredients. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I look first for sweets that meet their dietary requirements; this check comes first for around 29% of shoppers. |
| How much to serve | Compare the net weight with the number of children and plan to serve portions. The pack sizes mentioned here include a 250 g bag and 500 g or 1 kg boxes. | For an occasional party, I’d rather plan enough sweets without opening an oversized pack; around 21% of shoppers put the amount they need first. |
| Local availability | Check that the exact product is available at your chosen shop or through your preferred collection option, particularly if you’re relying on something you saw in a catalogue. | When the party date is set, I need to be able to get the product in time; around 14% of shoppers prioritise local availability. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the word ‘sugared almonds’ alone
A search for this term may bring up sweets with different ingredients and textures. Sugared almonds aren’t the same as chocolate treats.
Check the product name and ingredients for the exact product before comparing pack sizes.
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Buying a large pack before checking for allergies
The sugared almonds mentioned contain almonds. The 250 g KITKAT Ball product contains milk and wheat gluten, and may contain nuts.
Ask about the children’s dietary requirements and check the pack before serving.
A large pack that isn’t suitable for some of the group could go to waste.
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Assuming a product shown in a catalogue will be in stock
Lidl says that some of its smaller shops don’t stock every item shown in its leaflets. So a product appearing in a catalogue doesn’t confirm that it’ll be available at your local shop.
Check with your chosen shop before relying on the product for the party.
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Leaving small sweets where children can help themselves
The 250 g KITKAT Ball product carries a warning about the risk of choking on small sweets for children under 4.
Choose treats that are suitable for the children attending, prepare portions and supervise how they’re handed out.
Retailers to check
Carrefour
A retailer where you can compare product details for some sugared almonds and chocolate treats.
- The listings mentioned include 500 g MAXTRIS sugared almonds and 250 g KITKAT treats, with ingredient information.
- Check the product and its availability at your chosen shop or for your preferred collection option.
Auchan
A retailer to check for a large pack of sugared almonds.
- The Confiserie Adam listing describes a 1 kg pack containing 30% almonds.
- With this pack size, you’ll need to check for allergies and work out how much you actually need for the party.
E.Leclerc
A retailer to check for locally available sweet assortments.
- Its confectionery category includes a 500 g assortment of mini bags.
- Check the name and ingredients of each product: an assortment of sweets won’t necessarily contain sugared almonds.
Lidl
A retailer whose catalogues can help you spot sweets before visiting a shop.
- Lidl France says its catalogues are updated regularly.
- Lidl France says some smaller shops can’t stock every item shown in its leaflet.
ALDI
A retailer whose catalogues let you check current and upcoming offers.
- ALDI France publishes weekly catalogues and announces upcoming ones.
- Before planning to serve a particular sweet, check its ingredients and whether it’s available at your chosen shop.
Sweets to share on Joybuy
These Joybuy products are chocolate treats to share or hand out individually, rather than a selection of traditional sugared almonds. Check the packaging before offering any of them to children.
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KitKat Milk Chocolate Balls, 250 g
This bag of chocolate balls could be suitable for sharing at an occasional party, once you’ve checked which children will be having them. The Joybuy listing states that they contain wheat gluten and milk, and may contain nuts. Also check the exact pack for age and chewing warnings.
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M&M'S PEANUT Milk Chocolate, 330 g
This bag of chocolate-covered peanut sweets could work for sharing with a group, provided you check the children’s dietary requirements. Also check the packaging for other allergens and guidance on age and chewing.
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MALTESERS Milk Chocolate with Honeycombed Centre
These chocolate balls can be served in portions at a group party. Before deciding how much to buy, check the net weight on the packaging: the information for this product gives both 192 g and 192.5 g. Also check the ingredients and any precautions relevant to the children attending.
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Nestle KitKat Strawberry Short Cake, 9 pieces, 104.4 g
This pack of nine pieces is suited to planned portions rather than leaving out a large sharing bag. Check there are enough pieces for the group, then read the packaging for ingredients, allergens and age guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Are sugared almonds suitable for all children?
No. The MAXTRIS and Confiserie Adam products mentioned contain 40% and 30% almonds respectively. Check for allergies, and make sure the children are old enough and able to chew the sweets before serving them.
What should I read on the packaging before a party?
Start with the product name, ingredients, allergens and net quantity of the product you’re planning to buy. The DGCCRF notes that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels; check the exact product for any additional warnings too.
Can children under 4 have the small KITKAT Ball treats?
The Carrefour listing for the 250 g KITKAT Ball product carries a warning that small sweets can be a choking risk for children under 4. Don’t automatically apply this warning to another product: read its own packaging before deciding what to serve.
Should I choose the biggest pack for a party?
Not necessarily. Compare the net weight with the number of children and the other food you’re planning to serve, then decide how to portion out the sweets. A 1 kg box of sugared almonds and a 250 g bag of chocolate treats aren’t designed to meet the same quantity needs.