Fans 'devastated' over Quality Street changes for 2026
Christmas wouldn't quite be Christmas without a tin of Quality Street sitting in the living room, ready to be raided whenever someone fancies a chocolate.
Fans of the iconic festive sweets are facing some changes this year, and not everyone is happy about them.
For Christmas 2026, Nestlé's much-loved chocolates are seeing two major changes, affecting both the way shoppers buy them and the packaging they come in.
While the familiar chocolate flavours aren't going anywhere, there's disappointment among fans over the loss of a popular Pick & Mix experience, alongside the decision to pause the brand's experimental cardboard packaging.
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Perhaps the biggest change for loyal Quality Street fans is the news that John Lewis is getting rid of its famous Pick & Mix stations.
The retailer has offered the festive experience since 2018, allowing shoppers to create their own personalised boxes of chocolates rather than having to settle for the usual selection.
It was particularly popular with anyone who has a firm favourite (and perhaps a few flavours they'd happily leave behind).
Whether you're someone who can't get enough of The Purple One or would rather fill your box with Green Triangles, the stations offered a chance to make Christmas chocolate shopping a little more personal.
However, after eight years, the experience is coming to an end.
Shoppers have been quick to share their disappointment online, with some describing themselves as 'devastated' and 'gutted' by the decision.
And there's another blow for fans: John Lewis won't be selling any Quality Street products this Christmas, either.
A message on the retailer's website confirms: "Quality Street will not be available in John Lewis this year, but we have lots of gifting options available for you to explore."
So, anyone hoping to pick up a personalised tin will have to look elsewhere.
Nestlé is ditching its cardboard Quality Street tubs
The second change concerns the packaging, and this one might actually be better news for shoppers who weren't particularly convinced by the alternative.
Back in 2024, Nestlé introduced recyclable paper tubs for Quality Street in selected Tesco stores as part of a trial to explore more sustainable packaging.
The boxes featured the brand's familiar purple colouring and gold foil detailing, giving them a more premium appearance while offering an alternative to the traditional plastic tubs.
The trial continued into 2025, but Nestlé has now confirmed that the paper tubs won't be returning for Christmas 2026.
A spokesperson for the company said: "We won't be trialling our Quality Street paper tub this year. We're using our experience from 2024 and 2025 to make further developments.
"Watch this space as we continue to explore its role, with the ambition to bring it back on a bigger scale in the future."
In other words, the cardboard packaging hasn't necessarily disappeared for good, but shoppers won't be seeing it on shelves this Christmas.
When the paper tubs were first introduced, reactions were mixed. Some customers weren't convinced by the switch, with one X user, @bejokex, commenting: "They taste different in paper. Won't be buying!"
Another shopper joked: "How is my Grandma going to store her sewing kit in there for the next thirty years?"
It's fair to say the traditional tubs have a life beyond Christmas, often being repurposed for sewing supplies, buttons and all sorts of household odds and ends.
For some, bringing back the familiar packaging will be a welcome change.
While the loss of the John Lewis Pick & Mix will undoubtedly disappoint some shoppers, there are still plenty of places to buy the traditional tubs.
Jen Thomas
