Part of the magic of the winter holidays is that you only get to enjoy them for a brief period. Everything that makes them so special quickly becomes a treasured memory that you can cherish throughout the rest of the year. As the holidays approach, the days become a blissful crescendo of anticipation that culminates in a truly jubilant occasion.

The Lindt Holiday Collection offers a multitude of flavorful ways to experience that joyous thrill of the season. The company’s trademark silky chocolate is so distinctive that you can feel the texture on your tongue just by thinking about those wondrous chocolate truffles. And what makes the experience even better is the expanded selection of flavors and gift packaging options that you can only get during the winter holiday season.

This year, the staff at Entertaining Options sampled a large assortment — over 100 pieces of chocolate — from the Lindt Holiday Collection. We did this because we don’t tend to stray too far from the classic red-, blue-, and gold-foil balls, and it has given us a serious case of FOMO. Have we been missing out? Could our holiday tradition of gifting (and getting) LINDOR truffles be even more rewarding? To find out, we explored all the company has to offer this year.

First, we focused on the chocolate, that tantalizingly fresh and lavish outer shell. This is the part that provides the gratifying tactile sensation. The hard chocolate shell gives you something to bite through, stimulating the reward centers in your brain and initiating that glorious dopamine flow.

We tried the milk chocolate, the dark chocolate, the white chocolate, and the mint chocolate options. Each was remarkably satisfying because of the high quality of ingredients and the care taken in the manufacturing — each chocolate shell was pristine in appearance and exceptionally appealing in texture and flavor. The main difference between types was the subtle shifts in texture and flavor. For example, while the dark chocolate offered a wickedly sinful richness, the mint shimmered with a refreshing splash of tingly freshness.

Concealed inside the chocolate shell is a luxurious chocolate ganache ball that melts more satisfyingly than butter. The decadent cream feels like a velvet tickle on the tongue. The ganache is a sweet bounty of chocolaty opulence that contains the essence of the truffle. During the holidays, you can find a wealth of flavors that aren’t available the rest of the year. After a little research and a lot of taste-testing, we found LINDOR truffles available in milk chocolate, white chocolate, extra dark chocolate, peppermint, peppermint cookie, hot cocoa, snickerdoodle, and more.

While conducting our research, we also learned that Lindt chocolates come in a variety of shapes and sizes over the holidays. You can get the chocolate in the ever-popular truffle balls or shaped as hollow figures, such as bears, snowmen, or Santa Claus. Some assortments even include napolitains — small, individually wrapped pieces of solid chocolate. When shopping, you can purchase your favorite flavor or an assortment that includes a variety of treats.

Lastly, since presentation is key, Lindt sells its products in pouches, gift bags, gift boxes, gift tins, connoisseur boxes, gift tubes, and more. If you act fast, you might still be able to find an Advent calendar available, but that means you’ll have to eat more than one chocolate each day. Fine, twist my arm. Nearly any way you can imagine giving a gift, Lindt has you covered.

But which flavors and offerings stood out the most? Were we missing out? Which products were our favorites? Here are our top three choices (in no particular order):

Milk Chocolate Truffles
What can we say? We love the timeless appeal of a true classic. The Milk Chocolate Truffles are ridiculously rewarding. In one bite, you get two textures — hard and creamy — along with a flood of chocolate flavors. The result is euphoria. Your tastebuds will surrender to the bliss, and the truffles will be gone in minutes. It’s best to get the large bag.

Peppermint White Chocolate Truffles
The Peppermint White Chocolate Truffles are perfect for the holiday season. It’s like a rejuvenating winter storm inside your mouth. The crisp white chocolate flavor combines with the refreshing burst of mint to create the childlike thrill of an unexpected snow day. Adventure awaits when you order this invigorating option.

Holiday Assortment
Yes, we’re double-dipping a little because the Holiday Assortment has Milk Chocolate Truffles in it. However, it also has Hot Cocoa Milk Chocolate Truffles and Snickerdoodle White Chocolate Truffles. These three flavors provide a cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The Hot Cocoa is a soothing blend of rich milk chocolate and a wonderful white ganache. The Snickerdoodle has a speckled white chocolate shell, but as soon as you bite, your mouth gets a buttery blast of cinnamon. Eating a cookie that feels like a chocolate bar is a splendid sensation. The Holiday Assortment of LINDOR truffles hits like a warm mountain chateau with a crackling fire. Invite your friends over to share in the sweet camaraderie.

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Lindt has been around for 180 years. The company knows how to make luxury chocolates. If LINDOR truffles and Lindt chocolates haven’t been a staple of your winter holidays, consider adding a new family tradition this year and stock up on these seasonal delights. You can eat them yourself, gift them, create recipes, serve them at parties, and give jolly old Saint Nick a break from cookies and milk — he might even give you a bonus present for being so thoughtful. Just remember, holidays are sweeter with chocolate.

Where to buy:
Besides a wide variety of retailers — everything from Acme Markets to Zabar’s — you can purchase Lindt chocolates on the company’s website. You can also get them at Amazon, Walmart, or Target.