I’ve always been a Christmas enthusiast, but one of my favorite parts of the holiday season is creating beautiful Christmas charcuterie boards. I love combining the joy of holiday treats with the creativity of a well-curated board. It’s not just about the food, but the fun of crafting something that reflects the festive spirit.
The first time I made a Christmas-themed charcuterie board, I shaped it like a tree with green grapes and cheeses. It was such a hit, I’ve been doing it every year since. There’s something special about merging savory meats and cheeses with sweet holiday candies and fruits. Every board feels like a little edible piece of Christmas magic.
In this article, I’m sharing 26 exciting charcuterie board ideas that will add a festive touch to your holiday table. From Christmas trees made of cheese and veggies to boards shaped like wreaths, these spreads are a visual treat as much as they are delicious.
Ready to get inspired?
Why You Should Make a Christmas Charcuterie Board
Making a Christmas charcuterie board isn’t just about putting out snacks; it’s a fun and creative way to bring holiday spirit into your party. These boards are easy to customize and perfect for any holiday gathering, whether big or small.
One of the best parts is how charcuterie boards become the centerpiece of the table. When you set one up, it naturally invites conversation and sharing, making it an ideal choice for holiday parties.
Guests can pick and choose what they like, and the board itself often turns into a piece of art with its vibrant colors and festive decorations. Plus, they’re super easy to adjust for different dietary preferences, ensuring everyone has something they’ll love.
Tips for Making the Perfect Charcuterie Board
- Dietary Preferences: Be mindful of guests’ dietary restrictions when choosing ingredients. Offer options for vegetarians, vegans, or those with allergies to make sure everyone can enjoy the board.
- Add Themed Decorations: Add small, decorative elements that enhance the theme. Use edible garnishes like herbs or fruit slices for a natural touch, or place tiny ornaments, toothpicks, or figurines that fit the occasion.
- Temperature of the Foods: Most cheeses and meats taste best when they’re served at room temperature, so take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before your guests arrive. That way, they’re ready to serve and packed with flavor.
- Prepare Ingredients Ahead of Time: Slice the cheeses, meats, and fruits in advance so that when your guests arrive, all you need to do is assemble the board. This makes it easier to focus on the fun of decorating and less on last-minute prep work.
- Serving Tools: Lastly, make sure to have small serving tools like toothpicks or tiny tongs, so guests can easily pick their favorites. Here are our favorite charcuterie accessories.
Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas to Try
Now that you’re inspired, here are some fun charcuterie board Christmas ideas to try at your next holiday party:
1. Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
This Christmas tree board creatively arranges cheeses, meats, nuts, fruits, and veggies in the shape of a Christmas tree, making it a festive centerpiece for holiday gatherings. It’s often topped with a star-shaped cheese or bread slice for added charm. The key to its appeal lies in the tree shape and the vibrant colors of fresh ingredients like green grapes or rosemary sprigs for the tree and red cranberries for ornaments. It’s not only beautiful but also versatile, accommodating both savory and sweet elements.
2. Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board
This holiday charcuterie board focuses on sweet holiday treats like cookies, chocolates, and candy canes arranged in a visually appealing manner. Perfect for holiday dessert spreads, it might include items like gingerbread cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels, and peppermint bark. Adding seasonal fruits like pomegranates or dried apricots can bring a fresh, fruity balance to the rich sweets. It’s a fun way to indulge guests’ sweet tooth in a festive way.
3. Charcuterie Christmas Board
Go all out and add random Christmassy things to this Charcuterie Christmas Board. This one typically blends the best of savory and sweet ingredients. Customize it with fudge, pretzel hugs, strawberries, bell cookies, brownies, you name it! It doesn’t have to look perfect; there’s no right or wrong way to do this board. Some variations even feature elements like fig jam or honey for a sophisticated touch.
4. Holly Jolly Kid’s Snack Board
This board is designed to be kid-friendly, featuring fun holiday-themed snacks like baby carrots, mini sandwiches, pita crackers, pretzel tiny twists, ranch veggie dip, etc. It often incorporates treats like gingerbread people cookies to delight young guests. The whimsical presentation can include festive characters like snowmen or reindeer made from food, adding a playful touch. It’s a great way to ensure kids are entertained while enjoying healthy snacks.
5. Christmas Candy Charcuterie Boards
These boards are all about bright colors and indulgent candy treats, featuring an assortment of Christmas candies, chocolates, and peppermint sticks. The visual appeal comes from the candy being arranged to give a burst of color. It’s perfect for holiday parties, offering guests a selection of sweet snacks to pick from. Mixing in some salty elements like pretzels or popcorn can provide a balance of flavors.
6. Christmas Burrata Board
A luxurious twist on the classic charcuterie, this board centers around creamy burrata cheese paired with roasted tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, peaches, prosciutto, and cherries. It’s a perfect blend of rich flavors, ideal for sophisticated holiday gatherings. Garnishing with fresh basil and olive oil adds both color and a Mediterranean flair.
7. Antipasto Holiday Wreath
This board arranges traditional antipasto ingredients like olives, salami, artichoke hearts, pepperoni and mozzarella in the shape of a wreath. The circular design mimics a holiday wreath, often adorned with rosemary sprigs to add a festive green touch. It’s a savory delight, providing a range of Italian-inspired flavors that are perfect for grazing. This board is both a visual and culinary masterpiece that will wow guests.
8. Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
A classic take on charcuterie, this platter arranges a variety of cheeses like havarti cheese and smoked gouda in the shape of a Christmas tree. Also add pretzels, crackers and seasonal fruits like grapes and sliced cucumbers to the tree. It’s both a practical and festive way to serve a wide selection of cheeses. Rosemary, nuts, and honeycomb add to the overall presentation and taste.
9. Christmas Tree Frosting Board
A creative take on dessert, this board features green frosting in the shape of a Christmas tree, alongside dippable items like cookies, fruit, and pretzels. Guests can mix and match frostings and dips, creating a fun and interactive dessert experience. Feel free to use frosting from the grocery store, no shame there. The tree design adds a festive touch, while the variety of frostings ensures everyone can find something they enjoy. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike.
10. Hot Cocoa Bomb Charcuterie Board
This board is filled with hot cocoa bombs, marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and assorted toppings to make the ultimate hot chocolate experience. Guests can create their custom hot cocoa drinks by mixing and matching toppings and bombs. It’s perfect for cozy holiday gatherings, offering a fun and interactive way to enjoy a warm treat. Adding elements like whipped cream or chocolate shavings can elevate the experience.
11. Peppermint Cocoa Board
Designed for peppermint lovers, this board includes a variety of peppermint-flavored items like candy canes, peppermint bark, and hot cocoa bombs. Pairing these with marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate toppings creates a complete cocoa experience. The board is both visually appealing with its red and white theme and deliciously festive. It’s perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening with a cozy drink.
12. Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
This healthy take on a Christmas-themed charcuterie board arranges fresh vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes in the shape of a Christmas tree. The board can be served with dips like ranch or hummus, making it a healthy yet festive snack option for holiday gatherings. The vibrant colors of the vegetables mimic the look of a decorated tree, making it as fun to eat as it is to look at.
13. Snowman Snack Board
A playful and festive board designed to look like a snowman, featuring items like cheese balls, crackers, and vegetables arranged to resemble the snowy character. The board often includes sweet elements like marshmallows and cookies to balance the savory snacks. It’s perfect for winter holiday parties, offering both visual appeal and a range of flavors for guests to enjoy. Kids especially love this fun and interactive snack.
14. Christmas Tree Buttercream Board
This dessert board features buttercream frosting arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, with dippable items like cookies, fruit, or pretzels. Guests can dip and spread buttercream onto their treats, creating a fun and delicious dessert experience. The festive tree design, along with colorful toppings like sprinkles, makes it visually striking. It’s an interactive dessert option that adds a sweet touch to holiday gatherings.
15. Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Appetizer
This appetizer board arranges spinach dip in the shape of a Christmas tree, accompanied by crackers, bread, and vegetables for dipping. It’s a savory and festive dish that’s perfect for holiday parties. The creamy spinach dip pairs well with crunchy dippables, offering a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. Sprigs of rosemary or pomegranate seeds can be added as edible decorations to enhance the festive theme.
16. Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
This board features a puff pastry baked in the shape of a Christmas tree, often filled with delicious savory ingredients like pesto, cheese, or even sweet fillings like Nutella. The puff pastry is typically twisted to create branches and can be sprinkled with herbs or sugar for an extra festive look. It’s a great appetizer for holiday gatherings, combining a flaky, golden crust with flavorful fillings. It’s visually impressive and easy to pull apart for sharing.
17. Wreath Shaped Christmas Fruit Platter
This fruit platter is arranged in a circular wreath shape, featuring seasonal fruits like strawberries, kiwis, grapes, and pomegranate seeds. The vibrant colors mimic a traditional Christmas wreath, and you can garnish it with mint leaves or rosemary for a festive touch. It’s a healthy option for holiday snacking, offering a refreshing contrast to heavier holiday foods. The design is simple yet beautiful, perfect for adding a fresh touch to your spread.
18. Christmas Brie Board
A Christmas Brie Board is all about highlighting baked brie, often topped with seasonal ingredients like cranberries, honey, or nuts for a festive twist. Surrounding the brie are crackers, fruits, and meats, making it a decadent yet easy-to-assemble holiday appetizer. The oozy, melted brie combined with sweet and savory accompaniments makes this board irresistible. It’s an elegant option for cheese lovers at any holiday party.
19. Santa Charcuterie Board
This whimsical board is designed to look like Santa, using ingredients like mozzarella balls for his beard, salami for his suit, and black olives for his eyes. It’s both creative and delicious, combining savory meats, cheeses, and crackers to create a fun visual display. The Santa theme makes it a hit at family gatherings, especially with kids. It’s as much a conversation piece as it is a delicious snack.
20. Snowman Cheese Ball
This board features a snowman-shaped cheese ball, often made with cream cheese and other flavorful ingredients like cheddar, garlic, and herbs. The snowman is decorated with features made from olives, carrots, and other edible items, making it festive and fun. Served with crackers or veggies, it’s a savory option that adds a playful touch to your holiday table. It’s easy to make and perfect for entertaining guests of all ages.
21. Reindeer Buttercream Board
This dessert board is centered around buttercream in the shape of a reindeer, with edible decorations like pretzels for antlers and candies for eyes. Surrounding the buttercream are cookies, brownies, or fruit for dipping, making it a sweet and interactive treat. The reindeer design adds a festive and playful touch to your dessert spread, perfect for kids and adults alike. It’s an easy way to bring holiday cheer to any gathering.
22. Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Board
This board features all the fixings for a cozy hot chocolate experience, including gingerbread cookies, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and candy canes. The gingerbread theme adds a festive flavor, perfect for dipping into warm mugs of hot chocolate. It’s a fun and interactive way to enjoy dessert, allowing guests to customize their drinks with various toppings. The board also makes for a festive and sweet centerpiece.
23. Healthy Santa Snack Board
A nutritious twist on festive charcuterie, this board arranges fruits and veggies in the shape of Santa Claus. Strawberries and bananas are often used for his hat, while cheese or yogurt forms his beard. It’s a fun and healthy option for kids, offering colorful snacks that still feel festive. Parents love it for providing a balance between fun and nutrition during the holiday season.
24. Candy Cane Caprese Board
This savory board arranges slices of mozzarella and tomatoes in the shape of a candy cane, creating a visually stunning and delicious appetizer. Fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze add flavor and festivity. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for holiday parties, offering a healthy yet flavorful option. The red, white, and green color scheme makes it an instant holiday classic.
25. Kids Christmas Tree Snack Board
This snack board arranges healthy items like cheese cubes, grapes, and veggies in the shape of a Christmas tree. It’s designed to appeal to kids with fun shapes and bright colors while providing nutritious snacks. You can also include holiday-themed treats like mini sandwiches or star-shaped crackers. It’s a playful and healthy way to get kids excited about snacking during the holiday season.
26. Ugly Sweater Charcuterie Board
This board embraces the fun and quirky side of the holidays, featuring an array of meats, cheeses, and crackers arranged to resemble an “ugly Christmas sweater.” Bright-colored garnishes like bell peppers, olives, and herbs help create the festive sweater patterns. It’s both humorous and tasty, offering a lighthearted addition to any holiday party. The board’s fun theme makes it perfect for an ugly sweater-themed holiday gathering.
Conclusion
With these 26 exciting Christmas charcuterie boards, there’s no shortage of festive ideas to elevate your holiday gatherings. From savory creations like meat and cheese boards, to those with a variety of sweets and treats, these boards offer something for every palate.
Many of these ideas are simple to create but pack a big visual punch. So, get creative in the kitchen and let these boards bring some extra holiday cheer to your table. Your guests will be delighted, and you’ll be the star of the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make a Christmas charcuterie board?
Start by selecting a charcuterie board and gather a mix of ingredients like cheeses, cured meats, fruits, and crackers. However, the ingredients would depend on your chosen theme. Arrange the larger items first, then fill in with smaller snacks and decorative elements. Don’t forget to add holiday-specific items like sugared cranberries or candy canes to make it festive.
What to put on a Christmas charcuterie board?
A Christmas charcuterie board can include a variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and nuts. To make it festive, add holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, chocolate truffles, and candy canes. Seasonal fruits like pomegranates and pears can also give it a festive touch.
Best wines to pair with a Christmas charcuterie board?
Bold red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon pair wonderfully with the rich flavors of cheese and meats. For a lighter option, sparkling wine is a great choice as it pairs easily with most foods. So, pour yourself a lovely glass and have fun!
