Creating a festive Christmas charcuterie board has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love feeding everyone, and I love that there’se something for everyone on the board. Creating a stylish grazing board is almost as fun as Christmas tree decorating, may be even more fun to be completely honest, for obvious reasons. You know, taste testing is improtant part of the job.
There’s something magical about gathering fresh herbs, seasonal fruits, and a variety of delicious cheeses to build a spread that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. But here’s the best part: these boards are so simple to put together, even if you’ve never made a charcuterie board before. No fancy folding, no carving skills needed—just layering, arranging, and sharing joyful moments around the table.
I’ve also discovered that snacking my way through the ingredients as I build is basically inevitable. It’s the taste-testing excuse I happily embrace! That’s why I always stock extra prosciutto and crackers; you’ll thank yourself later when you realize you’ve “accidentally” eaten half the board before the guests arrive.
Why You Should Try One of My Christmas Charcuterie Boards
If you’re like me, the holiday season can get busy fast. That’s exactly why these Christmas charcuterie boards are perfect—they’re quick to assemble but still deliver all the festive flavors and wow-factor you want at holiday parties.
I’ve created two style of the boards; one in a shape of a Christmas tree, just cause it’s fun and everyone always has a great reaction when I bring it out, even kids.
1. Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
And the second board is circular shape, that suggests a shape of a Christmas wreath, but with cheese in the middle. Cause you can’t have too much cheese on a Charcuteire board, right? So choose which one you want to try first, gather your ingredient and let’s do it, I will guide you all the way.
2. Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
What sets my Christmas charcuterie board ideas apart is the combination of simplicity and style. You don’t need to be a pro chef to create a stunning spread that feels like a winter wonderland on a wooden board. I focus on clear, easy steps and smart ingredient pairings so you can enjoy making your board as much as eating it. So why not give them a try? Your festive Christmas charcuterie board awaits!
Easy Grocery List for Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Save or screenshot this grocery list for the next trip to Trader Joe’s, World Market, or any local store. Pick different shapes and small items to add festive flavors and final touches.
- Board: Large rectangular wooden board, 17″L x 13″W, is ideal. Check this one out on Amazon, if you don’t have one already.
- Cheeses: Goat cheese log, white cheddar, red Leicester or cheddar, cherry bocconcini
- Meats: Salami, prosciutto
- Crackers: A box of plain crackers and some seeded ones for variety
- Fruits & Extras: Green grapes, cherry tomatoes
- Nuts & Sweets: Pecans, dried cranberries
- Herbs & Decor: Fresh rosemary sprigs
Note: For detailed portions and amounts, see recipe card below.
How to Build a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Prepare the goat cheese log:
Step 1: Drizzle a goat cheese log with a bit of maple syrup, this will help the pecan nuts and cranberry mix stick better to the log. Then roll it in the nut and cranberry mixture, pressing it in gently to push in as much of the nut and cranberry mixture into the cheese as possible.
Map out your tree:
Step 2: Place fresh rosemary sprigs in a tree shape on a large cutting board or wooden board and add the rolled goat cheese to the bottom of the tree, representing the trunk.
Step 3: Fold the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise, then roll them up into little rolls. They will end up looking like little roses without too much effort.
Step 4: Cut the salami slices in half and roll them up. Place them along the rosemary branches.
Step 5: Layer hard cheese cubes on the board at the bottom and the top of the tree to start filling in the main parts of the tree.
Step 6: Place a cluster of green grapes between the hard cheeses.
Step 7: Layer baby bocconcini along the remaining rosemary branches symmetrically on both sides.
Step 8: Cut out stars using a cookie cutter from firm cheese slices. Add one star to the top of the charcuterie tree. And a half of cherry tomato in the middle of the main star for decoration and pop of color if you like.
Step 9: Scatter cherry tomatoes all around the tree so they look like little colorful baubles.
Step 10: Fill the gaps with whole or halved pecan nuts and dried cranberries.
Step 11: Layer some plain water crackers on one side of the tree and some seeded crackers on the other side for easy access.
Tip: Avoid placing soft cheese and mozzarella balls next to crackers; wet cheeses can make them go soggy. Always keep meats at room temperature before serving. Small bowls help separate wet items from hard cheese and keep the holiday board looking neat.
Easy Grocery List for Your Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
Save or screenshot this grocery list for the next trip to Trader Joe’s, World Market, or any local store. Pick different shapes and small items to add festive flavors and final touches.
- Board: Round wooden board around 14 inches in diameter. Here’s a wooden board from Amazon.
- Cheeses: A wheel of sweet chilli cream cheese or a wheel of Brie or Camembert, white cheddar, red Leicester or red cheddar, cherry bocconcini
- Meats: Salami, prosciutto
- Crackers: A box of plain crackers and some seeded ones for variety
- Fruits & Extras: Green grapes, cherry tomatoes
- Nuts & Sweets: Pecans, dried cranberries, Medjool dates
- Herbs & Decor: Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Sauces: Sweet chilli sauce to fill into the carved out star
- Sweets: Star-shaped or any Christmas-style cookies for the sweet tooth
How to Build a Round Board or Wreath Charcuterie Board
Round boards are great options for holiday parties or as a perfect holiday gift.
Prepare the cheese wheel:
Step 1: Place a star-shaped or Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter in the middle of the cheese wheel and cut out or dig out some of the cheese inside the cookie cutter area, using a knife or the other end of the spoon. This will create space to fill in with sweet chilli or fig jam.
Build the board items outward line by line:
Step 2: Place the wheel in the middle of the round board. Pour the sweet chilli or spoon the fig jam carefully into the star-shaped space, making sure not to overfill it.
Step 3: Layer a few rosemary sprigs outward from the cheese wheel for a touch of green. You can use as little or as much as you like.
Step 4: Build the other ingredients outward in color scheme waves.
Tip: Do not layer bocconcini next to crackers, as it’s a wet cheese and might make the crackers soggy.
Serving & Storage Suggestions
Serve at room temperature for the best way to enjoy the festive flavors. Use plastic wrap for easy overnight prep, but keep the crackers separate until it’s time to serve to keep them crunchy. Store left overs in air tight containers, gouping meats and cheeses in one container to save space, and a separate contaiener for fruits. Crackers should be also separated in a different container and can be stored together with nuts.
Final Thoughts
Holiday gatherings are all about sharing good option snacks and laughter. A beautiful board makes a great addition to Christmas day and festive Christmas party tables. Grazing board traditions feel special, with empty spaces filled by joyful bites and a holiday-inspired presentation that is sure to wow your guests. Snack a little—but leave plenty for your guests!
Christmas Charcuterie Board: Christmas Tree
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 –10 sprigs of rosemary
- 1 goat cheese log around 3.5 ounces or 100g
- 1/2 cup of pecans half is for chopping and rolling the cheese log and the other half is to sprinkle around and fill the gaps on the board
- 3 tsp maple syrup to drizzle over the goat cheese log
- 6-8 slices of prosciutto
- 6-8 slices of salami 10–12 slices
- 1 cup cubed white cheddar small cubes around 1/2 inch or 2cm
- 1 cup cubed red Lecheddar same size as white cheddar
- 1 cup baby mozzarella balls
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 3 slices firm cheese for stars
- 12-16 water crackers
- 12-16 seeded crackers
Instructions
- Layer rosemary in tree shape.
- Roll goat cheese in chopped pecans and cranberries and place it at the bottom of the tree where the trunk normally is.
- Roll prosciutto into roses, by folding the sliced in half lenghwise (unevenly), and then rolling the up. Place them in between the branches of the tree (rosemary springs).
- Cut the salami sliced in half and rolld them up, then place them along the rosemary spring.
- Add baby bocconchini in between the rosemary springs.
- Add a cluster of green grapes in the middle upper part of the tree.
- Shape stars, place at the top and a few around the tree.
- Scatter cherry tomatos all around like little baubles.
- Fill gaps with pecans and dried cranberries.
- Place a few rows of crackers on each side of the tree.
2 Responses
I did it! I made my first charcuterie board, wooho. thanks Liv, now I know how to make it for Christmas.
I love the simple steps, so detailed but easy to follow. I did a practice run to see if I can do it, and it was good. I just used different cheeses slightly.