Arranging treats for the classroom or office: how much, what, and how to package it
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
A treat for thirty children or fifty colleagues is mainly a calculation: how many pieces, what budget per person, and what do you put it in. Here's how to tackle it without improvising on the day itself.
The school year starts in mid-August, and within two weeks, the first birthday is on the class calendar. It's no different in the office: someone has a birthday, celebrates ten years of service, or is leaving, and then something needs to be arranged for – how many people again? That question is immediately the trickiest part. The rest is a matter of calculation.
Start with the number, not the idea
For a class, the number is usually between 22 and 32 students. Ask for the exact number, include the teacher and any intern or teaching assistant, and add three extra for children who have just returned from illness that day. For the office, the rule of thumb is different: don't look at the staff roster but at who is present that day, and add ten percent for people who might drop by.
Only once that number is established does it make sense to think about the treat itself. Otherwise, you might buy something nice and then realize at home that you're short by twelve.
The second question is the budget per person. For a class treat, most parents spend between fifty cents and one euro per child. For the office, this can be higher, but it's more often about a shared item in the middle of the table than something per person.
A third category is the treat that stays put. A mini gumball machine costs €12.95 (also in blue), the slightly larger version €14.95. On a counter or in a team kitchen, these last for months; as a treat for one day, they are too expensive.
Packaging costs less than you think
Handing out loose items is fine, but handing them out packaged saves hassle: children can take them home, colleagues can leave them until after lunch, and you can be sure that everyone gets the same amount.
The cheapest route is a box per person. A set of mini pizza boxes of 85 x 85 x 20 mm, 100 pieces costs €10.00 – ten cents per box. If you fill these with candy from a €5.00 bag, divided among thirty boxes, you'll end up with approximately €0.27 per child, including packaging.
You forget to ask about policies. Some schools and companies have rules about what can and cannot be distributed, or how much it can cost. A quick inquiry with the teacher or office manager costs a text message and prevents you from doing groceries twice. Also ask immediately if there are any children or colleagues who don't eat certain things – then you can buy something separate for them instead of skipping someone.
You buy it too early or too late. Chocolate and freeze-dried fruit – such as the apple rings or peach rings for €5.99 – can easily be purchased a few weeks in advance. If you only order two days before, you'll be dependent on what happens to be in stock.
You have nothing to transport it in. Thirty loose boxes in a bag is asking for trouble. A larger box or a popcorn bucket for €7.95 as a collection box solves that, and in the office, it then simply sits on the table.
In short
First count the number, then decide what it will be. Multipacks win on price, individual lollipops on appearance, and packaging often costs you less than an extra euro for the entire group. What you have left goes into the cupboard for next time – because it will come.
Browsing the selection? Look in Candy and Lollipop for the treat itself, and in Packaging & Shipping for boxes to fit them. If you're unsure how much you need for a larger quantity, send an email to info@verpakkingdeals.nl; we're happy to help you check what's in stock.
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