Festive and unique Christmas charcuterie board ideas! These holiday snack boards are so fun to share at parties and celebrations all season long.
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No matter how casual or elegant the gathering, a charcuterie board is always appropriate!
They’re a super fun and easy dish to bring to a holiday celebration or potluck – no cooking required.
And they honestly just put people in a festive mood!
It might be the variety of snacks, or how lovely common foods can look when arranged on a wooden board.
(Or just how downright delicious charcuterie is.)
Charcuterie boards make for really easy entertaining, because you can:
- Customize it for your event
- Make the perfect size for your guest list
- Not wind up with too much food (or too little!)
- Get LOTS of compliments on the menu, without anyone knowing how simple it was
From sweet and salty boards with candy, dried fruit, and snacks, to savory, decadent boards with cheeses, cured meats, and dips, to dessert boards and even breakfast boards.
There’s truly something for everyone.
You can add festive sprigs of greenery, arrange the ingredients into a fun shape, or use holiday-themed treats for easy accents.
The best part is that there are no strict rules!
With a little planning, a fun haul of festive goodies from Aldi, Trader Joe, or your local grocery store, and a wooden cutting board or charcuterie platter …
… you’ll create an amazing appetizer or snack tray, not to mention the perfect centerpiece for your table!
💡 If it’s your first time making a charcuterie board, I’ve included some handy tips and tricks at the bottom of this post.
Let’s dive into these festive holiday charcuterie board ideas!
(🎄 Need more delicious holiday food ideas? You’ll love these festive Christmas breakfast casseroles, unique holiday dinner ideas, quick and easy Christmas treats, and irresistible holiday cheesecakes!)
1 Photo Credit:www.simplisticallyliving.com This Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board is an absolutely beautiful way to celebrate this holiday season! It looks super glamorous, but is actually quite easy to assemble. It’s almost too beautiful to eat! (Almost.) 2 Photo Credit:www.simplisticallyliving.com This Grinch Hot Cocoa Board takes the traditional charcuterie board to the next level. Truly the ultimate way to serve the perfect cup of hot cocoa, load it up with all the toppings and mix-ins for hot chocolate. Perfect for your Grinch themed party or movie night! 3 Photo Credit:www.troprockin.com This traditional Christmas Charcuterie Board includes an array of flavors, featuring cured meats, sugared cranberries, artisan cheeses. It’s Christmas flavors on a board, with festive accompaniments to bring a touch of holiday magic to every bite. 4 Photo Credit:lowcarbhoser.com This festive charcuterie tree is easy to make and fun to serve. It’s basically a traditional charcuterie spread - just vertical, in Christmas tree shape! If you want to “WOW” everyone at your holiday gathering, make this. 5 Photo Credit:www.mapleandmango.com This candy cane caprese board is a fun and festive addition to any holiday table. A healthier alternative to traditional boards, it features juicy tomato slices, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves arranged in the shape of a candy cane. You can serve it as a holiday salad or a simple Christmas appetizer. 6 Photo Credit:www.seasonalcravings.com Learn how to make the perfect cheese platter! With these simple tips, you can put together a delicious cheese board appetizer that's perfect for any holiday parties and gatherings. 7 Photo Credit:twokidsandacoupon.com Serve up a very merry appetizer with this cute Santa themed charcuterie. With just a few simple ingredients, you can assemble this board in a few minutes. It’s a budget and kid-friendly appetizer or snack. Perfect for a holiday movie night! 8 Photo Credit:www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com This festive Christmas Charcuterie Board is made with cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and more – in a fun Christmas tree shape. It’s easy to assemble, but looks fancy enough for any holiday party! 9 Photo Credit:blackberrybabe.com This Christmas Tree Charcuterie board is one of the easiest things you'll ever make! You can even have the kids help with this simple recipe. Set it out while you’re decorating the Christmas tree and everyone can snack while they decorate. 10 Photo Credit:www.kleinworthco.com This incredibly customizable Christmas cookie board is such a fun way to showcase all the holiday cookies you baked (or bought!). It’s perfect for any size gathering, and makes serving dessert extremely easy. 11 Photo Credit:nourishplate.com Treat your family and friends to some holiday cheer with this Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board. So easy to put together, this dessert board is filled with fun and tasty toppings and treats that any hot chocolate fan will love! 12 Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com Perfect for Christmas Eve or Christmas breakfast! With waffles, fruit, bowls of tasty toppings, syrups, and spreads, this breakfast charcuterie board makes mornings so much fun. Everyone will love customizing their own waffles! 13 Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com This lovely dessert platter is totally made for a holiday season that’s full of sweet treats. This is a great way to serve smaller items for snacking instead of a full-on sitdown dessert. It’s so much fun to have a variety of sweets! 14 Photo Credit:www.ihearteating.com In less than 30 minutes, you can assemble this beautiful wreath shaped charcuterie. Full of delicious Mediterranean flavors and ingredients, it’s equal parts elegant and delicious. 15 Photo Credit:thegingerbreadpony.com A breakfast grazing board works so well for holiday brunches or busy mornings in December. Cinnamon rolls, breakfast meats, eggs, fruit, jam, and any of your favorite breakfast foods, are all you need to put this together easy and quick. 16 Photo Credit:www.glutenfreetranquility.com If you have gluten free guests coming over, you’ll want to set out this lovely board. The gluten-eaters will never know they’re enjoying gluten free snacks, and those with dietary restrictions will greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness. 17 Photo Credit:www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk Your kids and family will LOVE this whimsical Mickey Mouse waffle themed breakfast charcuterie! It’s so festive and fun, and is fun to serve if you’re planning a surprise trip to Disney or before watching Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas. 18 Photo Credit:www.anediblemosaic.com The viral TikTok trend ‘butter board’ takes a holiday twist with this gorgeous platter. Decadent swirls of butter gets topped with cranberry sauce, pecans, orange zest, and rosemary for lots of festive flavor that’s perfect for a holiday brunch or dinner. It’s totally customizable with your favorite sauces, spices, fruit, nuts, and herbs. Serve it with crusty bread or rolls to scoop it up. 19 Photo Credit:https://everydayshortcuts.com This super fun and festive Grinch-themed charcuterie board looks impressive but is actually easier to make than you’d think. Both kids and adults will appreciate this whimsical board, and of course they’ll love munching on the tasty snacks included. 20 Photo Credit:inspiredbycharm.com A winner in both presentation and flavor, these individual festive charcuterie boards are served in a cup, making them ideal for mingling at a holiday party. Your guests will absolutely love how delicious, beautiful, and convenient they are! 21 Photo Credit:www.dashofjazz.com Almost like a savory gingerbread house, this charcuterie chalet is super fun and festive. Made up of all the elements you would expect from a classic charcuterie board like meats, cheeses, fresh and pickled veggies, crackers, dips, and nuts - but constructed to resemble a holiday house! 22 Photo Credit:www.wholesomeyum.com Learn exactly how to make a charcuterie board keto, so you can feed everyone (including the low carb eaters!) with one simple appetizer. This keto charcuterie board makes the perfect fancy appetizer, easy snack, or party food with minimal fuss!Unique Christmas Charcuterie Boards
Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
Grinch Hot Cocoa Board
Christmas Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie Tree
Christmas Candy Cane Caprese Salad Board
Holiday Cheese Platter
Cute Santa Christmas Charcuterie Board
Elegant Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Easy Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Christmas Cookie Board
Christmas Hot Cocoa Board
Waffle Charcuterie Board
Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board
Skewered Mediterranean Charcuterie Wreath
Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Gluten Free Charcuterie Board
Christmas Breakfast Mickey Waffle Charcuterie Board
Easy Holiday Butter Board
Grinch Christmas Snack Board
Christmas Charcuterie Cups
Charcuterie Chalet
Keto Charcuterie Board
23. Christmas Star Charcuterie
This fun and festive Christmas Star Charcuterie Board is the perfect centerpiece for any Christmas party!
It’ll look stunning on your grazing table, or anywhere on your tablescape.
Everyone will love it so much that you’ll want to make it again for New Years Eve!
24. Christmas Candy Board
For a fun and festive holiday dessert, look no further than this Christmas Candy Board.
Your family and friends will absolutely love snacking on this platter filled with fun Christmas trees, candy canes, reindeer, gingerbread men, snowmen and Santa Claus sweet candy and dessert treats.
Perfect for Christmas, Christmas Eve or any holiday party!
25. Snowman Charcuterie Grazing Board
Everyone will love this whimsical Snowman Grazing Board!
Both elegant and playful, it’s perfect for a party with both adults and kids.
FAQ
How do you arrange a Christmas charcuterie board?
Now that you’ve purchased the ingredients and have the board, it’s time to start arranging!
To make a charcuterie board for Christmas, arrange the ingredients step by step so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
The best way to arrange a charcuterie platter is:
- Place your spreads. Start your board by placing small bowls for your spreadable and juicy food items.
- Add the cheese. You can even use small cookie cutters to cut hard cheeses into fun Christmas shapes.
- Arrange a variety of meats and fruit around the bowls and cheese.
- Place crackers, bread slices, and other crunchy snacks.
- Decorate your board with festive decorations to create a Christmas theme or spooky twist.
How do you make a charcuterie board ahead of time?
Prep the ingredients the night before by slicing meats and cheeses and storing them in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can arrange and set up the charcuterie board a few hours in advance, but leave off the crackers, bread, and nuts.
Wrap the board tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.
About 30 minutes before serving, take out the board, add crackers and nuts, and let it come to room temperature.
5 tips for Making Charcuterie
1. Choose the right board
You’ll want to get the appropriate size board for your event, and the amount of food you plan to present.
Here are 5 popular boards and pretty ways to present charcuterie:
- Charcuterie board with bowls, cheese knives, and serving forks included
- Classic charcuterie platter with handle
- Extra large board (for a large gathering)
- 3 tier serving tray
- Collapsible charcuterie serving board
Be sure to set out cheese knives as well. And you can use these cute toothpick flags to label the different foods if you’d like.
2. Use little bowls
Small bowls help contain and organize spreadable, loose, or juicy ingredients, such as jams, pickles, olives, and nuts.
They also make sure there are no empty spots in your board.
Set the bowls down first, then arrange the other foods around them.
3. Use easy to find ingredients
To make your charcuterie-making experience as low stress as possible, don’t hunt everywhere for specific, hard to find food items.
Stores like Aldi and Trader Joe’s work well for seasonal snacks and accents, but your regular grocery store should also have everything you need.
Purchase pre-sliced and pre-portioned ingredients to make it even simpler!
4. Use a picture for inspiration
Use this list of Christmas-themed board recipes for specific ideas of what to create.
Or if you’re more experienced with charcuterie board creation, these ideas can be general inspiration for your customized platter.
5. Combine flavors and textures
When planning and shopping for ingredients, be sure to include an assortment of flavor profiles.
You’ll want a combination of savory, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.
Include different textures, with a variety of hard, soft, crunchy, and chewy.
The perfect charcuterie board has:
- 2-3 types of meat
- 2-3 kinds of cheese (at least one soft and two hard)
- Minimum 2 crunchy snacks, such as crackers, nuts, or raw veggies
- 2-3 savory ingredients, like nuts, pickles, and olives
- At least 2 spreadable dips or spreads, ideally a mix of sweet and savory
Pro-tip: Put your charcuterie board on a lazy susan so it’s easy for guests to access everything.
Ready to try making a Christmas charcuterie board?
I hope this list of Christmas board ideas has given you lots of inspiration to make this autumn season!
With everything from cute tree-shaped boards to a classic cheese board and veggie charcuterie board ideas, there are really endless options!
Your favorite part will be that it’s a great way to feed a crowd in fun ways with one simple platter.
Your Christmas party will be such a huge hit with these fun appetizers and snack tray ideas.
You may also like:
50 New Christmas Eve Traditions to Try This Year
41 Easy Skewer Appetizers for a Party
25 Easy Holiday Appetizers for a Crowd
