Hosts who want to portion them out
If you want to serve one to each guest, the number of sticks matters just as much as their size. Carrefour Extra, for example, lists eight 32 g sticks, while Eco+ E.Leclerc offers a box of twelve mini sticks.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts looking to offer a choice of flavours
An assortment means you don’t have to choose just one flavour for everyone. Depending on the product, ranges from Magnum, Auchan and Aldi include options such as milk chocolate, white chocolate or almond.
Anyone who needs to check for allergens
If a guest tells you they have an allergy, the exact recipe matters more than the range name. Check the packaging of every box you serve for milk, soya, almonds and any possible traces of other allergens.
What should you look for before buying?
For a Christmas party, work out how many you’ll need before comparing portion sizes, then check the recipes and how you’ll transport them.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Number of pieces and the weight or volume of each stick. | If I want to serve an ice lolly to everyone without judging by the apparent size of the box, I need to know the individual portion size; around 31% of consumers put this first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The exact recipe for each variety and the allergens listed on the packaging. | If a guest tells me they have an allergy, I need to be able to tell the recipes apart before serving; this is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Number of guests | Pieces per box and how many boxes you’ll need. | If several people want an ice lolly, I want to make sure there are enough to go round and perhaps offer a second choice; around 25% of consumers prioritise working this out. |
| Transport and storage | Freezer space and the journey with an insulated bag. | If I’m bringing several boxes home before the party, I need to be able to transport them and get them into the freezer promptly; around 19% of consumers put this ahead of the other criteria. |
Mistakes to avoid for your party
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Confusing the box weight with the number of portions
A box of six sticks and a box of twelve won’t serve the same number of people, even if their total weights look similar.
Start with the number of guests and how many pieces you’d like to serve, then check the weight or volume of each stick.
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Assuming every flavour in an assortment has the same ingredients
One recipe may contain almonds or have traces of other allergens. The name of the assortment alone isn’t enough to decide what to serve someone with an allergy.
Read the details for each recipe on the box you buy, keep the packaging and make sure you can tell the flavours apart when serving.
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Picking up the ice lollies too early in your shop
Mini portions are still frozen products, and you’ll also need enough room in your freezer for several boxes.
Anses recommends buying frozen foods at the end of your shop. Take an insulated bag, keep the journey short and put the boxes in the freezer as soon as you get home.
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Relying on a particular product without checking it’s in stock
The format or assortment you’re after may vary depending on the shop and when you do your Christmas shopping.
Check the product at the shop or on the click-and-collect service you plan to use. Have another box in mind with a suitable number of pieces, and remember to check its ingredients too.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
The range includes Mini Classic sticks and assortments. Magnum France lists six 55 ml portions for Mini Classic.
- Assortments let you offer a choice of coatings.
- Mini Classic contains milk and may contain nuts. Check the specific product you’re serving if a guest has an allergy.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour offers an assortment of eight 32 g mini sticks with a variety of chocolate coatings.
- The weight per piece makes it easier to choose the right portion size.
- The recipe lists milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of other allergens.
Eco+ E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc offers a box of twelve vanilla and chocolate mini sticks, weighing 405.6 g in total.
- With twelve pieces, it’s easy to work out how many portions you can serve.
- Check the ingredients on the box you choose before serving it to guests with dietary requirements.
Auchan
Auchan offers an assortment of eight mini sticks, weighing 258 g in total, with several different coatings.
- One box brings together several chocolate recipes.
- Some recipes contain almonds; check the packaging to see the ingredients for each variety.
Mucci Aldi
Aldi offers a Mucci assortment of twelve mini sticks, weighing 429 g in total.
- The box contains several chocolate varieties to serve individually.
- Check the varieties and allergens on the packaging of the product you buy.
Frozen treats to consider on Joybuy
These products include mini sticks, individual ice lollies and frozen bites. For your party, make sure you know which format you’re choosing before working out how many portions to serve.
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Magnum Mini Classic Ice Bar, Almond & White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
Six mini sticks to count out for individual servings, with several varieties listed in the product name. The box weighs 254 g; check the milk and nut information on the packaging before serving to someone with an allergy.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, x12, 444 g
Twelve individual ice lollies in orange and cherry flavours, so you can count out how many to serve. The box weighs 444 g; this product isn’t described as a mini format. Check the packaging for information about possible allergen traces.
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Magnum White & Cookie Ice Cream Bites, 168 g
Frozen bites to consider if you’d prefer this format to sticks. The box weighs 168 g; check how many bites it contains and the allergen information on the packaging before planning your portions.
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Magnum Mini Classic Ice Cream Sticks, 6 × 55 ml
Six 55 ml mini sticks to serve individually. Work out how many boxes you’ll need if more guests want an ice lolly. Check the packaging for information about milk and nuts.
Frequently asked questions
How many mini ice lollies should I get for a Christmas party?
Start by counting one for each guest who wants one, then allow for extra pieces if you’d like people to be able to have seconds. The formats from Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Aldi and Auchan include boxes of six to twelve sticks, so check the number of pieces rather than just the total weight.
Is a chocolate mini stick suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Don’t choose one without checking the exact recipe: Magnum Mini Classic may contain nuts, and the Carrefour Extra assortment contains almonds. Check the packaging of the box you plan to serve. The French Ministry of the Economy reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
How should I transport ice lollies before the party?
Buy them at the end of your shop and carry them in an insulated bag, following Anses advice on keeping food cold. Keep the journey as short as possible and put the boxes in the freezer as soon as you get home.
Should I check that assortments are in stock before Christmas?
Yes. Check that the product you want is available at the shop or through the click-and-collect service you plan to use. If you need to choose a different assortment, count the pieces again and check the ingredients: the same number of sticks doesn’t mean the recipes are the same.