Seasons of Love: When do Czechs give chocolate?

The popularity of chocolate pralines forms part of a booming market for chocolate in the Czech Republic – data from 2022 showed the consumption of chocolate increased in the past year, from chocolate bars and confectionery to cocoa powder.

Chocolate culture in Czechia, however, is nothing new, stemming from the concept of gifting chocolate at times of celebration and festivities.

Ferrero pralines have been sold in Czech shops since the 1990s. The company confirms that Czechs have an increasingly sweet tooth, but that the sustainability of chocolate production has become important in the selection of chocolate.

Here are some tips for when to give chocolate in Czechia from one of the leading confectionery manufacturers in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

Valentine’s Day

The Anglo-Saxon Valentine’s Day may not have a long history in the Czech Republic or Slavic culture. But a recent survey commissioned found that 43 percent of Czechs between 18 and 65 years old celebrate the holiday. They tend to give smaller gifts and a box of pralines fits the bill.

Ferrero pralines they’ll fall in love with

Italian chocolate is an end-of-summer treat in Czechia, Ferrero stops selling its famous pralines during the summer months and only reintroduces them in the autumn. The delicate chocolates can be damaged by the heat, so they are withdrawn from shops until the weather cools in September. They’re the only chocolates on the Czech market protected in this way from a loss of quality by the manufacturers.

The first day of school

Czech parents are increasingly adopting the German practice of bestowing the first-day kornout upon their children, a huge paper cone loaded with chocolates and sweets meant to symbolize growth and maturity.

Christmas

New findings confirm the popularity of chocolate as a festive treat. Chocolate purchases are particularly high during winter and over half of all chocolate buyers in Czechia give chocolate as a gift to others. Advent is also observed in Czechia with candle lighting as well as chocolate eating. 

Name days & birthdays

Every day in Czechia is someone’s name day, and most days of the year correspond to a common first name. These days are celebrated as something akin to birthdays, and it’s common practice to give a friend or co-worker a small gift on their name day (svátek). Flowers and wine are typically given but a sweet gift is the most traditional.