Holidays Christmas
December 25, 2026
The Christmas charcuterie boards people remember are shaped: a wreath of rosemary, salami and cheese around a bowl, or a tree built in rows on a rectangle. Use red and green on purpose (pomegranate, rosemary, cranberries, green olives), add one luxury cheese, and plan about 2 oz each of cheese and meat per guest.
The showstopper · 12 guests
A ring of rosemary sprigs, folded salami, cubed cheese, green grapes and pomegranate around a bowl of whipped feta or cranberry sauce. Every photo of it gets shared.
Aged Cheddar · Manchego · Genoa Salami · Prosciutto di Parma · Rosemary Sprigs · Pomegranate · Grapes · Castelvetrano Olives · Whipped Feta · Rosemary Crackers
Get the shopping list for 12 →Family night · 8 guests
A cozy board to graze through the evening: a baked Brie with cranberry, Stilton and port, prosciutto, pears and gingersnaps.
Brie · Stilton · Prosciutto di Parma · Pears · Cranberry Sauce · Walnuts · Gingersnaps · Baguette · Honey
Get the shopping list for 8 →Party on the move · 24 cups
A rosemary-and-salami skewer, cheddar and Manchego cubes, three crackers and a few cranberries in a clear cup. Tie a red ribbon around each one.
Genoa Salami · Aged Cheddar · Manchego · Rosemary Sprigs · Dried Cranberries · Water Crackers · Grissini
Get the shopping list for 24 →Each one has what to buy, why it works and a timeline.
Seasonal & Holiday
Holiday Charcuterie Board
Serves 12–16 · $85–$140
Intermediate
Plant-Based
Plant-Based Holiday Board
Serves 10–14 · $55–$75
Plant-basedIntermediate
Classic, Budget & Luxury
Luxury Charcuterie Board
Serves 8–12 · $150–$250
Advanced
Occasions & Parties
Office Party Charcuterie Board
Serves 15–25 · $60–$100
Beginner
Occasions & Parties
Cocktail Party Charcuterie Board
Serves 12–20 · $65–$100
Intermediate
Served as an appetizer, plan about 2 oz of cheese, 2 oz of meat and 6 crackers per guest. If the board is the meal, double it.
| Guests | Cheese | Meat | Crackers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 12 oz | 12 oz | 36 | Full list |
| 12 | 1½ lb | 1½ lb | 72 | Full list |
| 20 | 2½ lb | 2½ lb | 120 | Full list |
New book
Around the World in 16 Boards blueprints sixteen international boards, from a Bavarian beer-hall spread to a Korean BBQ board, with shopping lists, prep countdowns and pairing science.
No alcohol? See zero-proof pairings. More in the Pairings Hub.
Put a small bowl in the center of a round board, lay a ring of rosemary around it, then build the ring out with folded salami, cheese cubes, grapes and olives. Finish with pomegranate seeds and a ribbon bow.
As an appetizer, about 2 oz of cheese and 2 oz of meat per guest, plus 5 to 6 crackers. For a party where the board is dinner, double it.
Build it up to 4 hours ahead, cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge; add crackers just before serving. Cheese tastes best after 30 to 60 minutes out of the fridge.
Stilton with port is the English classic, Brie baked with cranberry is the crowd favorite, and an aged cheddar or Manchego is the easy all-rounder.
Yes: a wooden board, a hard cheese that travels well, a salami, a jar of fig jam and crackers make a great hostess gift. Skip soft cheeses if it won't be opened the same day.
Read more: Christmas Charcuterie Board: How to Build a Festive Board for the Holidays · How to Make a Holiday Charcuterie Board · Winter Charcuterie Board: Flavors, Ingredients, and How to Build It · New Year's Eve Charcuterie Board: How to Build a Midnight Board That Pairs with Champagne
Other holidays: Halloween · Thanksgiving · All holidays
Free printable
How much to buy for any guest count, the build order, fridge timing and pairing rules on two printable pages. Plus the Lab Report: one pairing that works and why, and new printables the day they land.