Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or cozying up for a Christmas movie marathon, a beautiful cheese board is always a welcome addition to the festivities. This delightful snack—or party platter—can be customized to feed a few people or a houseful of grazing guests. Here’s everything you need to make your own holiday cheese board.
Tools for Creating a Holiday Cheese Board
How to Make a Holiday Cheese Board
Foods to include
Cheese: The key to a delicious cheese board is, well, the cheese! Aim for variety—a good rule is to include one cheese from each of the following categories: soft, semi-soft, firm, blue and aged.
On our holiday cheese board, we included a wheel of Brie and wedges of Manchego and Comté. For an extra festive touch, we sliced provolone into snowflake shapes using a cookie cutter and made a colorful (and delicious) bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheese ball that ties together classic, warm Christmas colors.
Fruit: Citrus is the name of the game when it comes to winter fruit. We included kumquats, pomegranates and oranges on our holiday cheese board, but you could also consider other wintry fruits like pears, apples, tangerines and figs.
Meat: You can’t forget meat on a holiday cheese board! Summer sausage is a classic option that can be eaten alone, but also pairs nicely with any cracker. Aged salami is a sophisticated choice that you can still find at most grocery stores, and if you really want to impress your guests, splurge on some roasted pancetta. For more ideas, here are some of the best meats for your charcuterie board.
Crackers and crunchies: Crackers and nuts are key elements on a holiday cheese board. They provide some necessary crunch to balance out softer foods and serve as a vessel for everything else on the board.
Store-bought star-shaped crackers or other shapes like snowflake Ritz crackers and snowman crackers are especially festive, while homemade candied pecans are the perfect touch of sweet on a holiday cheese board. There’s something for everyone in a handful of mixed nuts, or you could go for a single variety like cashews or almonds.
Spreads: Dips, jellies and jams can be the highlights of your holiday cheese board. A scoop or swipe of spread will enhance any of the meats or cheeses, and you can add visual interest to the board by using bowls and jars in different sizes, colors and shapes. Wild plum jelly or other fruity spreads will emulate Christmas’s iconic red on your board. For a savory crowd-pleaser, go for whiskey bacon jam.
Garnishes: Add greenery, like rosemary springs, thyme, and bay leaves, alongside decorative cranberries and red currants to give your holiday cheese board a Christmas color palate. An orange with whole cloves poked into it will look stunning on the board and smell fantastic, too.
How to build your holiday cheese board
Step 1: Arrange the orange, kumquats and pomegranates
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Begin by arranging a decorative corner of the holiday cheese board. Taste of Home food stylist Josh Rink knew he wanted eye-catching citrus elements to anchor the board, so he worked on those first.
Poke cloves into a whole orange. Then, nestle together quartered and whole orange slices, halved kumquats and a split pomegranate and sprinkle on some pomegranate seeds.
Step 2: Place the bowls and cheese ball on the board
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The cheese ball and the bowls you’ll use for your candied pecans, mixed nuts, and spreads will need a good amount of space on your holiday cheese board. Using bowls of different sizes scattered across the board will draw your guests’ eyes from one side to the other, so they don’t miss any of the delicious options.
Step 3: Cut snowflakes from provolone slices and arrange
Now’s the time to whip out your cookie cutter! Stylist Josh used a snowflake cookie cutter to make shapes in cheese slices before layering them on the board. Other wintry shapes work well, too.
Step 4: Add more cheese
After you decide where to place the wheel of Brie on your holiday cheese board, cut small wedges from it and lay some on their side and some upright. Then, cut a few slices from the Manchego and Comté and find places for those as well. (Always cut the first slice or two of a block of cheese on your board! It encourages guests to dig in.)
Step 5: Slice and add meat
Folded roasted pancetta looks especially appealing tucked up against the quartered slices of orange because of the repeated triangle shapes. The rounds of salami and summer sausage will be right at home near the Brie for the same reason.
Step 6: Fill in the gaps with crackers
Place different kinds of crackers near the foods they pair best with. Josh put star-shaped crackers near the jelly and round crackers near the aged salami. Don’t shy away from adding add more than you think you need—crackers go fast!
Step 7: Add ornamental touches
After you’ve got all of the edible items on the board, decorate with your red and green garnishes. When paired with cranberries and red currants, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus and bay leaves emulate garlands, mistletoe and holly.
Step 8: Serve!
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Don’t forget to set out cheese knives and spoons, as well as appetizer plates, napkins and glasses for whatever drink you choose to serve with your holiday cheese board. We’re partial to festive sangria recipes and champagne cocktails.
Tips for Arranging a Holiday Cheese Board
How do you pick the best cheeses for a cheese board?
Keep your cheese board interesting by including different types of cheeses, such as soft, semi-soft and firm. You don’t need to stop at a specialty cheese shop—stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods usually have associates available to help guide you through the cheese selection. You can also pick cheeses based on your family’s preferences. If kids or picky eaters will be snacking, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your selection familiar. If you’re looking for more ideas, learn how to make a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.
What other foods can you include on a Christmas cheese board?
Along with different combinations of meat, cheese, crackers, fruit and spreads, consider adding olives, pickles, and other veggies to your festive cheese board. You can even squeeze in a sweet or two, like homemade Christmas candy or decorated Christmas cookies. Think about what your guests like, and go from there! Find more inspiration with these cheese board ideas.
Can you make a cheese board ahead of time?
We recommend that you take your cheeses out of the refrigerator about an hour ahead of time in order to let them reach room temperature before your guests arrive, which allows them to hit their peak flavor. However, don’t let your foods sit out for too much longer than that to avoid stale crackers and overly warm spreads.
How else can you arrange a holiday cheese board?Â
The possibilities are endless! Here are a few festive options to consider.
- O’ Christmas tree: Shape your cheese and charcuterie into a glorious beacon of the holiday season. Cut your cheeses into bite-sized cubes, then layer with grapes, berries, nuts, small crackers or salami chunks to form a Christmas tree charcuterie board. Here are more Christmas tree-inspired recipes.
- Savory snowman: Turn a few circles of brie into a snowman cheese board!
- Edible wreath: For a party-ready Christmas cheese plate, arrange herbs in a ring shape (rosemary is a particularly good choice). Then layer in other ingredients to create a gorgeous Christmas charcuterie board in the shape of a wreath.
- Candy cane chic: Savory gets inspired by sweet when you layer red and white charcuterie into a candy cane shape. Try fresh mozzarella with tomato slices, Swiss cheese chunks with summer sausage or goat cheese with red grapes.
- Red and green: Celebrate the colors of the season with a Christmas cheese board decked out in red and green. At the store, keep an eye out for cheeses encased in a colorful rind, as well as Sage Derby cheese, which has a naturally green hue. For accompaniments, consider beet crackers, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, pomegranate seeds and gherkins.
- Charcuterie chalet: If you love both gingerbread houses and cheese boards, a charcuterie chalet is the perfect combination. Instead of covering a gingerbread house in frosting and sweets galore, make a house structure with long breadsticks or pretzel rods instead of gingerbread and use your favorite meats and cheese for decor.
- Special shapes: Take your seasonal cheese board a step further by picking out a themed serving board. An ornament-shaped board or a Christmas tree design will make your holiday cheese board festive even before you choose what to put on it! These cheese board gift ideas are worth checking out, too—and these charcuterie board books are sure to inspire your next holiday cheese board.
Up Next: Easy Holiday Appetizers
Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent
Creamy chicken pastry cups may look fancy, but this Christmas appetizer is so easy to assemble and bake. The trick is using frozen puff pastry and store-bought rotisserie chicken, which cuts time in the kitchen.
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Cranberry Sauce MeatballsDon’t put that cranberry sauce away yet! Combined with a few other ingredients, the traditional Thanksgiving condiment makes a perfect meatball topper for this Christmas appetizer. Use premade beef or vegetarian meatballs, smother them in sauce and serve.
Bacon Cheese WreathFor a pretty yuletide presentation, use fresh Italian parsley leaves and pimientos to create a holly-like garnish. Want something meatier? Make this stunning
Christmas charcuterie wreath.
Savory Cucumber SandwichesOne way to balance the food-filled holiday season is to make light and refreshing appetizers for cocktail parties and family gatherings. The surprise ingredient here is Italian salad dressing, which adds just enough flavor and acid to the cream cheese spread. Thinly sliced cucumber and fresh dill make picture-perfect toppings.
Roasted Chicken and Brie Holly Mini BitesThese scrumptious little chicken and brie bites take less than 30 minutes to make, but taste like you spent hours in the kitchen preparing them. Fig, roasted apple, melted brie and tangy garlic mayo are like a sweet-and-savory symphony. Add bright red cranberries and green spinach for festive flair.
Cheese-Stuffed Cherry TomatoesColorful and bright, these feta-stuffed cherry tomatoes will make you think of Christmas tree ornaments. The easy one-bite holiday snack can serve as an hors d’oeuvre on the appetizer or dinner table.
Pickled Pepperoncini Deviled EggsWith all the celebrations during the Christmas season, keeping appetizers light and bright is a good way to go. Pepperoncini and cilantro give these deviled eggs zip and the avocado, used instead of mayo, adds a pop of color.
Crispy Oven-Fried OystersSomething about oysters feels extra celebratory. Buying pre-shucked oysters means no fussing with shells (and oyster knives!) for this easy Christmas appetizer. The jalapeno dipping sauce adds just the right amount of heat.
If you're in need of some more inspiration, here are some
easy Christmas dinner recipes that you can make.
Simmered Smoked LinksWhat would a Christmas appetizer spread be without bite-sized sausages? Made with pantry staples like brown sugar and ketchup, they’re effortless to prepare and the sweet and spicy glaze makes them impossible to resist.
Butternut Thyme TartletsThis light and crunchy appetizer is filled with the ultimate fall flavors. Make the creamy butternut squash and goat cheese filling a few days early, then fill the premade phyllo cups right before guests arrive.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Raspberry SauceNothing says fancy like asparagus spears wrapped with prosciutto. Grill or roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender. Make sure to have extra fruity sauce for dipping: The savory and sweet combo is sure to be a hit.
Air-Fryer Crab au Gratin SpreadThis warm and comforting appetizer is perfect for Christmas gatherings. Using canned crab means it’s super easy to whip up, and the air fryer means there’s less time standing around the oven. Serve with your favorite crackers and crisp vegetables.
Sausage Cheese BallsMake a big batch of these bite-size meatballs, freeze them, and you’ll have appetizers to whip out any time you have guests for the holidays. They’re completely adaptable, too: Try swapping out the cheddar cheese with another favorite cheese, or add a little heat with a pinch of cayenne pepper or smokiness with some smoked paprika.
Easy Pimiento CheeseEvery good Southerner has their own easy
pimiento cheese recipe. This classic has only a few ingredients, comes together in minutes and makes a wonderful spread for crackers, toasted bread, breadsticks and more. No celebration, big or small, should be without it.
Buffet MeatballsA surprise ingredient (grape jelly) ensures these meatballs will be the hit of the Christmas appetizer table. Your can make your own beef, turkey or vegetarian meatballs for the best flavor, or use frozen meatballs—they're a helpful time-saver during the busy holiday season.
Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot SauceThese elegant bite-size pastry puffs are a delightful way to welcome guests during the holidays. The tangy Dijon sauce adds just enough zip, while the peppery bite of fresh arugula pairs perfectly with thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty Asiago cheese.
Gentleman’s Whiskey Bacon JamBacon makes everything better, especially when it’s mixed with brown sugar and spices. This jam can be served on its own with crackers, but it’s truly a
Christmas cheese board’s best friend. Freeze the bacon first for easy prep.
Brie with AlmondsTalk about an effortless Christmas appetizer. This nut-topped baked cheese is perfectly elegant and comes together in a snap. Prepare it in a cast-iron skillet or pretty baking dish, and it can go directly from the oven to the table.
Crisp Caraway TwistsThese flaky cheese-filled twists made with frozen puff pastry bake to a crispy golden brown. Double up on batches for big family get-togethers because they’ll disappear before you know it.
Christmas Party Pinwheels'Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers. Studded with pimentos, celery and onions, the pinwheels taste delicious, look festive and easily feed a crowd. And with such a simple recipe, you’ll have more time to focus on the
Christmas punch, a must for any holiday party.
Salmon Dip with Cream CheeseA touch of curry gives this creamy salmon dip terrific flavor. Serve with lots of crackers, bread slices and vegetables for dipping.
Mini Cheese BallsWhen you’re looking for the ultimate
Christmas finger foods, these super quick mini cheese balls should top the list. Simply roll the cheese balls in your favorite topping, like fresh rosemary, sesame seeds or paprika, and serve topped with a halved rye crisp, pretzel or cracker for easy one-bite servings.
Favorite Marinated MushroomsServe these tangy marinated mushrooms as an appetizer, or even as a side dish for any type of meat. If you have some left over from the holiday festivities, add the mushrooms to a salad for added flavor.
Crudite DipThis creamy herb-filled dip is simple to make and a delicious fresh bite alongside some of the more decadent Christmas appetizers. To bring out the tangy flavor, chill the dip before serving to allow the flavors time to blend.
Antipasto SkewersAnything on a toothpick is perfect for a holiday cocktail party. Skewers of thinly sliced salami, mini mozzarella balls, olives and tomatoes create an elegant-looking appetizer that’s a cinch to make.
Shrimp Salad AppetizersEndive leaves make fancy-looking handheld edible cups for this refreshing shrimp and crab salad. Make the salad hours before the party starts and scoop out right before serving to ensure the apps stay crisp and cool.
Cranberry Cream Cheese SpreadTaking only 10 minutes to make from start to finish, this super-easy cheese spread is merry and bright. Thanks to a hint of sweetness, adults and kids alike love it. Serve it with rice crackers, crostini or sliced French bread.
Ham & Brie PastriesStuff frozen puff pastry with ham and brie and you have an easy and elegant Christmas appetizer. A swipe of apricot preserves inside adds a lovely sweet contrast to the rich and buttery filling.
Vegetarian Stuffed MushroomsFor a vegetarian option, mix soy crumbles with herbs and bread crumbs for a quick and savory mushroom filling. Every holiday party could use a few more plant-based appetizer options, and these are so good, even meat-eaters will love them.
Chipped Beef Cheese BallFor this savory Christmas appetizer, thin dried beef is pulsed into a coarse crumb and added to cream cheese with Worcestershire sauce to create a delicious cheese ball. Save extra chipped beef for the outside coating, and serve the chilled ball with plenty of crackers.
Apricot Kielbasa SlicesApricot preserves and a hint of ginger create a sweet glaze for smoky kielbasa sausage slices. You can make this recipe a few hours before serving and keep it warm in a slow cooker on low heat.
Garlic-Parmesan Cheese BallWalnuts add just enough crunch to this garlic and parmesan cheese ball. It pairs well with crackers, bread sticks and crisp vegetables.
Roasted Beetroot and Garlic HummusRoasted beets add wonderful color to traditional hummus. Served with fresh veggies and crisp crackers, it adds festive flair to any holiday table.
Spicy Crab Salad TapasThese delicious morsels have a crispy, flaky outside. The filling is creamy sweet crab with a little kick. Use scalloped-edge cookie cutters to cut the pastry for a decorative affect.
Cranberry and Bacon Swiss Cheese DipSavory and rich, this make-ahead dip can go directly from the oven to the table in about 30 minutes. The dried cranberries are like little jewels hidden in a delicious cheesy, bacon-y landscape. Serve thin, crunchy slices of toasted bread alongside it for an indulgent appetizer.
Florentine Almond Artichoke MoundsThese little morsels taste like warm spinach-artichoke dip in one bite. Stuff a creamy spinach mixture inside artichoke hearts, top with crushed almonds, bake and serve. They’re the perfect canape for cocktail parties.
Calamari SaladWhether you celebrate an Italian
Feast of the Seven Fishes menu at Christmastime or not, this delicious seafood salad is a winner for the holiday table. It can be served warm or, after refrigeration, cold.
Cranberry Brie Pecan PinwheelsIf you want the entire house to smell amazing, this twist on baked brie combines all the best elements of the classic appetizer: warm gooey cheese, sweet fruit and toasted nuts wrapped in a buttery puff pastry. Bake them to a golden brown.
Fruit Compote with BrieWhip up this easy fruit compote with raisins and cherry preserves and serve over baked brie with crackers. If you have any left, use it to top cheesecake or blintzes, or stir it into ice cream.
Dill Pickle DipYour guests will go wild for this creamy dill pickle dip. It’s easy to whip up: Just add dill pickle juice and chopped pickles to cream cheese and sour cream. We love it with ridged potato chips, but anything crunchy for dipping will do.
Pomegranate Guacamole with Feta CheeseAdd some festive flair to your dip with bright pomegranate seeds and feta. Since the cheese is briny, cut back on salt in the guacamole or opt for reduced-sodium chips for scooping.
Santa Deviled EggsA clever Christmas appetizer, these cute deviled eggs will bring a smile to everyone’s face at your holiday gathering. With capers for eyes and cubes of ham for a pink nose, the little Santas are easier to make than they look, and they’re perfect for a festive
Christmas Eve snack.
Hot Spinach Spread with Pita ChipsWarm and cheesy, this spread is absolutely scrumptious served on toasted pita wedges. Its colorful appearance makes an eye-catching addition to any buffet.
Snow Pea Holiday WreathThis pretty-as-a-picture finger food would stop even Santa in his tracks. Crunchy green pea pods and juicy red tomatoes add a natural, fresh and festive holiday note to any party table.
Lemon-Garlic HummusLemon adds a lovely citrusy layer to traditional hummus. You'll need just five ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make this smooth and creamy dip. Serve with sliced radishes, carrots, celery, jicama and cucumbers and a basket of fresh pita.
Pomegranate Pistachio CrostiniSpread a sweet combo of cream cheese, honey and orange juice on top of toasty baguette slices and top with pomegranate seeds, pistachio and shavings of dark chocolate for this decadentÂ
crostini recipe. It’s not quite dessert, not quite savory, and an all-around great party bite.
Chicken Crescent WreathThis edible holiday wreath looks impressive and is a snap to prepare. Spread a savory chicken and vegetable filling on top of refrigerated crescent dough, strategically tuck in the points, and bake. With broccoli and red peppers peeking out, it’s a colorful addition to the buffet table.
Ham ‘n’ Cheese Biscuit StacksThese finger sandwiches are filling, pretty and perfect for any holiday gathering. Fresh-baked mini biscuits stuffed with ham, cheese and honey mustard look jolly with decorative olive-spiked toothpicks on top.
Baked Crab DipMake this creamy, decadent crab dip ahead of time by filling a bread bowl early in the day and chilling it until serving. Remember to remove the bowl from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking, and serve hot just as your guests arrive.
Savory Party BreadIt’s like a blooming onion, but with bread! All you need is a round loaf of sourdough bread, butter, Monterey Jack cheese and green onion. Baked together, this tear-and-share becomes a delicious Christmas appetizer.
Pomegranate Pistachio CrostiniThese crostini have a bit of Mediterranean flair thanks to pomegranate arils and pistachios. That ingredient combo also provides wonderful color to your app spread.
Festive Holiday SlidersThese turkey sliders get a boost of flavor from ginger, horseradish and
cranberry sauce. Because they refrigerate well, make a batch to keep around for snacking when friends and family drop by for baking parties and gift-wrapping sessions.
Holiday SalsaA sweet and spicy cranberry salsa turns an ordinary brick of cream cheese into a holiday appetizer that explodes with flavor. Serve it with tortilla chips or toasted flatbreads.
Bacon-Wrapped Apricot BitesWrapping bacon around dried fruit is one of the easiest snacks ever. This recipe calls for maple bacon but regular bacon will do. Don’t forget the sweet barbecue dipping sauce.
Almond-Bacon Cheese CrostiniGet these cheesy bacon crostini ready a few hours before your guests arrive and put in the oven just as everyone settles in for the festivities. Serve warm and crunchy straight from the oven.
Smoked Salmon BitesUse crisp radish slices instead of crackers, or make a batch with half of each, for these
one-bite appetizers. Simply top with creamy yogurt, thin slices of smoked salmon, and a sprinkle of capers and onion.
Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry TomatoesBright red cherry tomatoes stuffed with a creamy cucumber mixture is a nice light alternative to richer
holiday appetizers. Serve with cocktails or at the beginning of the meal—and make extra because they disappear fast.
Sweet & Savory Pineapple Cheese BallFilled with pineapple, green onion and green pepper and rolled in chopped pecans, this cheese ball hits every flavor note and texture. It’s an easy make-ahead Christmas appetizer everyone will ask for year after year.
Brie Cherry Pastry CupsGolden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious
Christmas dessert.
Marinated MozzarellaYou can throw this crowd-favorite appetizer together in minutes, leaving more time for the main meal. A quick marinade turns mozzarella into a festive holiday party treat.
Tuscan Sausage & Bean DipThis fun Italian take on the classic bean dip will be a hit at any party. Filled with Italian sausage (mild or hot), white beans, spinach and lots of cheese, it's a perfect match for crackers and toasted bread.
Best Ever Stuffed MushroomsA combination of sausage, herbs and cheese fill white button mushrooms in this easy appetizer. Bake them to a golden brown for simple, but delicious, party bites.
Italian Marinated OlivesSometimes you need a small bite to fill out your appetizer tray. These olives are simple to make and are the perfect one-bite salty snack.
Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese SpreadA hint of five spice and jalapeno pepper adds some real pizzazz to this creamy holiday cheese spread. Pair it with hearty seeded crackers for more layered flavors.
How to Make Sesame Chicken Just Like Your Favorite Take-Out OrderPlated with rice and crunchy, stir-fried vegetables, this sesame chicken recipe makes homemade Chinese dishes taste just like they do in the restaurants.
Crab Cake Stuffed MushroomsGet a jump on appetizer prep by stuffing the mushrooms ahead of time and then baking right before guests arrive. The crab filling with toasted bread crumbs turns a delicious golden brown; they’re impossible to resist.
Caprese Salad KabobsGet the kids to help skewer cherry tomatoes, baby mozzarella balls and fresh basil. Even drizzled with a bit of balsamic vinegar, the red, white and green palette looks perfectly Christmas-y.
Bacon-Wrapped Water ChestnutsYou can pretty much put bacon around anything and it will be delicious. Here, strips of bacon (regular, maple or peppered all work well) are wrapped around water chestnuts and baked, then dipped in a sweet glaze before serving.
Appetizer WreathTurn crescent roll dough into a tear-and-share wreath, each piece topped with a creamy herbed mixture plus vegetables like broccoli and red pepper. Place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center for even more seasonal color (and snacking).
Caliente Christmas Cheese CrispsPack these crisp and savory homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and french-fried onion rings. To keep it seasonal, serve both green and red salsa for dunking.
