in the kitchen
27 Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas that Are Easy to Make
If you’re looking for Christmas food boards that will wow guests this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re hosting a Christmas Eve dinner, a cozy night in, or a lively holiday party, a festive Christmas charcuterie board is a great way to celebrate the season. These beautiful boards are not only easy to assemble, but they also add that perfect personal feel to your table spread.
From soft cheeses and tender meats to sweet treats and seasonal fruits, the right combination of textures, colors, and flavors can make your holiday charcuterie board the highlight of any holiday gathering.
Below, we’ve gathered 27 easy Christmas charcuterie board ideas—complete with recipe tips, step-by-step instructions, and suggestions for every taste and occasion.
Why Christmas Food Boards Are So Popular
There’s a reason these boards are all over TikTok – make your own and you’ll see why! Charcuterie is a French word meaning “cooked meats,” but today, traditional charcuterie boards have evolved into edible art. They’re the best parts of snacking: cheese, fruit, meats, nuts, and dips, all beautifully displayed.
The great thing about Christmas food boards is how flexible they are. You can use what’s in your grocery store, adapt for personal preferences, and design something that perfectly fits your color scheme or theme. Plus, it’s an easy way to feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
Essentials for a Festive Christmas Charcuterie Board
Before diving into the ideas, let’s talk essentials:
Wooden board or round boards – The foundation. You can even use a wooden cutting board or a baking sheet. How cute is this tree shaped one ->
Cheese knives – Perfect for spreading pimiento cheeses, slicing sharp cheddar, and serving blue cheese or hard cheese varieties. We love these ->
Small bowls or little bowls – Great for favorite dips, green olives, refrigerator jam, or peppermint bark pieces. Festive Ramekins ->
Plastic wrap – Cover your big board or smaller board and chill until ready to serve.
Sprigs of rosemary – Adds a festive touch, color, and scent to your beautiful board.
Pro tip from test kitchen pros: Always let your delicious cheeses come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
27 Easy Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas
1. Classic Red and Green Board
A great idea for traditionalists! Pair red grapes, green grapes, cherry tomatoes, and fresh rosemary with sharp cheddar and mozzarella balls for a simple color scheme that screams “Merry Christmas.”
2. Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Arrange meats and variety of cheeses in a tree shape on your wooden board. Use rosemary sprigs as branches and pomegranate seeds for ornaments!
3. Sweet & Savory Mix
Combine sweet treats like chocolate truffles, peppermint bark, and winter fruits with savory items such as hard cheese and usual meats.
4. Cookie Cutter Cheese Board
Use a cookie cutter to shape soft cheeses or hard cheese into different shapes—stars, trees, and snowflakes—for a festive touch.
5. Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
Arrange tender meats, mozzarella balls, and green olives in a circle to mimic a wreath. Tuck in sprigs of rosemary and red grapes for a colorful finish.
6. Mini Grazing Board for Two
Perfect for smaller things like smaller boards or date nights! Include favorite cheeses, fresh fruit, and easy dipping items like breadsticks or bell pepper sticks.
7. Dessert Charcuterie Board
For Christmas parties, go sweet! Load your board with peppermint bark, cookies, and sweet treats. Add small bowls of caramel dip or melted chocolate.
8. Breakfast Board for Christmas Morning
Include soft cheeses, refrigerator jam, croissants, fresh fruit, and coffee. A great addition to family gatherings or casual holiday mornings.
9. Hot Cocoa Bar Board
Fill little bowls with marshmallows, crushed candy canes, and chocolate chips. Add cookies and sweet treats—it’s a fun holiday party idea!
10. Meat Lover’s Charcuterie
Layer tender meats like prosciutto and salami with hard cheese and sharp cheddar. Add radish rounds and bell pepper sticks for crunch.
11. Fresh Fruit and Cheese Board
Use seasonal fruits like pears, green grapes, and pomegranate seeds with blue cheese and soft cheeses.
12. Kids’ Christmas Snack Board
Include miniature carrots, pretzels, and sliced fruit. Use cookie cutters for cheese shapes—fun and festive!
13. Elegant Cheese Board
Stick with a monochrome color scheme—think white cheeses, crackers, and light fruits like apples.
14. The Big Board for Holiday Parties
Fill a big board with favorite kinds of cheese, usual meats, nuts, and fresh fruit. Use small bowls for dips.
15. Rustic Farmhouse Board
Use a wooden cutting board, hard cheese, fresh rosemary, and savory items for that cozy farmhouse look.
16. Nut and Cheese Board
Add pecans, sharp cheddar, and blue cheese. Don’t underestimate the role of the pecans—they add crunch and warmth.
17. Christmas Dinner Starter Board
A great option for guests arriving early! Include soft cheeses, pimiento cheeses, and crunchy foods like crackers or veggies.
18. Winter Wonderland Board
Stick to whites and blues: blue cheese, white fruits, coconut-covered truffles, and fresh rosemary accents.
19. Simple Store-Bought Board
Buy everything from your grocery store—cheese cubes, meats, grapes, and crackers. No cooking required!
20. Italian-Inspired Board
Add mozzarella balls, prosciutto, and green olives for Mediterranean flair.
21. Cozy Movie Night Board
Pair sweet treats, popcorn, and easy dipping sauces with hard cheese and fruit.
22. Christmas Eve Appetizer Board
Perfect for Christmas Eve entertaining. Use favorite cheeses, tender meats, and small bowls of olives or dips.
23. DIY Dipping Board
Feature hummus, favorite dips, and fresh veggies—a good option for holiday gatherings.
24. Candy & Cookie Board
Fill a smaller board with sweet treats like sugar cookies, peppermint bark, and chocolate bark.
25. Family Fun Board
Let everyone bring homemade dishes to add—a personal feel and tremendous choices for all ages.
26. Leftover Board
Turn leftovers from Christmas dinner into a great idea for lunch the next day! Add crackers and cheese for balance.
27. TikTok-Inspired Cookie Board
Create a christmas cookie only charcuterie board filled with every type of traditional holiday cookie you can dream up!
Tips for Building the Perfect Christmas Food Board
The best thing about making your own board is flexibility. Follow these tips for success every time:
Start with larger items (cheese, meats) and fill empty spaces with nuts, fruit, or smaller items.
Include a number of other elements of this board for texture—like crackers, nuts, and savory items.
Arrange everything with balance and height; stack hard cheese slices or roll meats.
Finish with sprigs of rosemary or herbs for a festive touch.
Serve at room temperature for best flavor.
A Christmas charcuterie board screams holidays and is an amazing centerpiece to any christmas party—colorful, creative, and completely customizable. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring people together, from family gatherings to holiday parties.
Whether you make a big board to feed a crowd or a smaller board for cozy nights in, remember to have fun with your design. With these 27 Christmas charcuterie board ideas, you’ll find some great options perfect for your Christmas season entertaining.
So grab your favorite cheeses, soft cheeses, fruits, and cheese knives, and start creating your festive Christmas charcuterie board—the highlight of any holiday party!
Recipe Tips and Notes
Store leftovers with plastic wrap in the fridge.
Always serve cheese at room temperature.
Swap ingredients to suit your personal preferences or dietary needs.
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