Plan how much toast to buy for Christmas based on the number of guests, the dishes you’re serving and the pack size, rather than buying as many packs as possible just in case. If anyone needs gluten-free bread, choose a clearly labelled option; and if you’re buying packs in advance or expect leftovers, plan how you’ll store them.
If you’re preparing sandwiches, filled slices of bread or bite-sized snacks, consider the pack weight alongside the number of portions you’ll need. This makes it easier to match the amount you buy to the dishes you’re planning.
If the bread might sit around for a few days or be left over after the celebrations, think about storage and whether you may need to freeze it. The consumer advice centre recommends storing bread at room temperature in a dry place away from light.
If any of your guests need gluten-free bread, remember to include a suitably labelled pack in your plans. Schär describes its Meisterbäckers Classic as gluten-free sliced bread; always check the information on the specific pack before buying.
First, work out how much you’ll need and whether anyone has specific dietary requirements. You can then decide when to buy the bread and how to store any leftovers.
| What matters | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for your guests | Compare the pack weight with the number of portions you’re planning for breakfast, sandwiches or snacks. | If I’m hosting several guests, I want to make sure there’s enough bread without opening more packs than necessary. Getting the quantity right is a priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Freshness and leftovers | Check the best-before date and storage instructions, and make sure you have space to freeze any excess. | If you shop early, you’ll want to store the bread until you need it and avoid letting leftovers go to waste. This is a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free requirements | Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and precautionary allergen information on the specific pack. | If a guest needs gluten-free bread, standard wheat or wholemeal toast isn’t a suitable substitute. Finding the right gluten-free option is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Standard toast isn’t a substitute for bread chosen to meet a gluten-free requirement. If you’re preparing separate dishes for guests, remember to allow for the amount of gluten-free bread you’ll need.
Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and precautionary allergen information on the pack itself, and plan portions separately for the guests concerned.
Opened packs or bread stored incorrectly can lose quality before you’re ready to use it. The best-before date alone doesn’t tell you how long an opened loaf will keep.
Choose quantities to suit your menu and the number of guests. The consumer advice centre recommends storing bread at room temperature in a dry place away from light; you can freeze any excess in good time.
Butter, wheat and wholemeal toast can contain different ingredients. For example, the Golden Toast Buttertoast listed by REWE contains wheat flour, anhydrous butterfat and lupin flour.
If you have allergies or specific dietary requirements, read the ingredients list and allergen labelling on the pack you’re actually buying.
In a statement from April 2025, Lidl named Grafschafter American Style Sandwich Wheat, Butter Toast and Wholemeal Toast.
REWE sells a 500-g pack of butter toast under this own-brand range.
Golden Toast offers a range of toast and sandwich breads, according to its own product overview.
Schär’s Meisterbäckers Classic sliced bread is an option to consider if you need to cater separately for a gluten-free diet.
Read the ingredients list and the highlighted allergens on the specific pack. For example, the Golden Toast Buttertoast listed by REWE contains wheat flour and lupin flour; other varieties may have different ingredients.
Store bread at room temperature in a dry place away from light, as recommended by the consumer advice centre. If you won’t use it in time, you can freeze it and defrost portions as needed; if you see any mould, throw away the whole loaf.
No, the best-before date isn’t an automatic throw-away date. The German Food Federation describes it as a quality date; check the bread before eating it, and don’t eat it if you notice mould or anything else unusual.