Seasonal · Christmas Charcuterie Board
How to Create a Gorgeous Christmas Charcuterie Board 🎄
November 5, 2025 | Seasonal · Christmas Charcuterie Board
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Hey Besties!
When you picture the holidays, you probably think of cozy nights, glittering lights, and tables full of festive treats. But lately, one trend has completely taken over Pinterest, Instagram, and holiday gatherings alike — Christmas charcuterie boards.
Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, planning a girls’ night, or creating content for your own Pinterest feed, these boards are the perfect mix of aesthetic + delicious + easy to customize. And the best part? You can tailor them to any theme, from savory Santa boards to sweet dessert spreads.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to put together a show-stopping Christmas charcuterie board, including ideas for different styles (Santa, tree-shaped, candy-cane, dessert, and wreath designs).
Note: All images in this post were created using AI to serve as visual inspiration only. Please use them as creative reference when assembling your own board.
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What You’ll Need to Get Started
Building a festive charcuterie board starts with the right tools and ingredients. Here’s a basic checklist:
Serveware
- Round or rectangular wooden charcuterie board
- Cheese knives & small tongs
- Mini bowls for dips, jams, and nuts
- Small cookie cutters for shaping cheese (stars, trees, snowflakes)
Base Ingredients
- Cheese: cheddar, brie, gouda, mozzarella, pepper jack
- Meats: salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, or soppressata
- Crackers: round butter crackers, whole-grain, or rosemary crisps
- Fruits: grapes, strawberries, blueberries, sliced pears, dried cranberries
- Nuts & Sweets: almonds, pecans, chocolate pretzels, candy canes
You can find my favorite charcuterie boards, cheese knives, and serving accessories all on Amazon! Just Click the "Skip To Product Links" button.
1. The Santa Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Place a round slice of brie in the center for Santa’s face.
2. Use folded salami slices to shape the hat.
3. Add small peppercorns or olives for eyes and a small cranberry for the nose.
4. Use thinly sliced cheese for the beard, eyebrows, and mustache.
5. Surround with red and green grapes, blueberries, rosemary sprigs, almonds, strawberries, orange slices, figs, and star-shaped cheese slices.
2. Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Mix a variety of cookies: homemade or store bought gingerbread men, chocolate crinkle cookies, and shortbread cookies.
2. Add candies and chocolates: peppermint bark, chocolate covered pretzels, truffles, and/or Whopper candy.
3. Fill a small bowl or sprinkle around M&M candy, caramel cubes, or mini marshmallows.
4. Garnish with candy canes or crushed peppermint for for a little extra sparkle!
3. Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Start with a rectangular board and outline a tree shape using grapes or rosemary.
2. Create color-blocked layers: yellow cheeses, red meats (Salami or pepperoni), red grapes, green olives.
3. Add nuts or layer Ritz crackers for texture and top with a cheese star.
4. Use Cinnamon sticks or pretzels as the tree stump.
5. Optional: drizzle honey or place a small bowl of dip at the base.
4. Candy Cane Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Arrange slices of mozzarella and salami in alternating stripes to mimic a candy cane.
2. Use rosemary sprigs or cranberries/raspberries for garnish.
3. Serve on a narrow wooden board for presentation.
4. Optional: add a bowl of fig jam for dipping.
5. Charcuterie Wreath Board
How to make it:
1. Arrange rosemary sprigs in a circle to form the base of the wreath.
2. Add small clusters of meat roses, cheese wedges, berries, and chocolates.
3. Fill gaps with nuts (almonds/walnuts) and small ornaments or candy canes tied with ribbon.
4. Serve with crackers on the side.
6. Snowman Veggie Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Stack three round bowls of ranch or veggie dip vertically on a large platter.
2. Use black peppercorns or olives for the eyes and buttons, and a baby carrot or yellow bell pepper piece for the nose.
3. Add red pepper strips as the scarf around the “neck.” Alternatively, you can use a red ribbon for the neck scarf as well.
4. Surround the snowman with a mix of veggies: bell peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes.
5. Optional: Add little pretzel sticks for the arms.
7. Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread Board
How to make it:
1. Arrange small dough balls (store-bought pizza dough or homemade) in a tree shape on a baking tray.
2. Brush with melted butter, garlic, and herbs before baking.
3. Bake until golden and lightly crisp.
4. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
5. Serve with bowls of marinara and/or cheese dip on the side.
8. Christmas Stocking Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Outline a stocking shape using parchment or a light pencil mark on your board for reference.
2. Layer overlapping slices of salami or pepperoni to form the red “stocking.”
3. Fill the top (the “cuff”) with cheese cubes, grapes, and nuts for contrast.
4. Decorate the edges with rosemary sprigs and strawberries for color.
5. Serve with crackers or bread rounds on the side.
9. Hot Cocoa Dessert Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Place one or two mugs of hot cocoa in the center of your board.
2. Surround them with cozy mix-ins like mini marshmallows, peppermint, and chocolate chips.
3. Consider adding cookies, biscotti, or fudge squares for dipping.
4. Decorate the board with cinnamon sticks and pine sprigs for a wintery aesthetic.
10. Hot Cocoa Dessert Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Outline a candy cane shape using parchment paper or gently with pencil guidelines.
2. Fill the shape with alternating red and white treats: peppermint bark, yogurt pretzels, a red candy of your choice, and sugar cookies.
3. Add mini bowls of hot cocoa powder, marshmallows, or chocolate truffles for variety.
4. Serve alongside mugs of cocoa or coffee for a festive finishing touch.
My Favorite Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas on Pinterest
Tips for a Picture-Perfect Board
Color balance: Alternate reds, greens, and neutrals for a festive palette.
Texture variety: Include soft, hard, and crunchy textures.
Symmetry: Arrange items in clusters or mirrored halves.
Garnish: Use rosemary, cranberries, and edible glitter for a magical finish.
FAQ – Christmas Charcuterie Boards
Q: How early can I prep my board?
A: You can pre-slice cheeses and meats up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble 1–2 hours before serving to keep everything fresh.
Q: How long can the board sit out?
A: Ideally, no more than 2 hours at room temperature. If serving outdoors or for longer, keep extras in the fridge to refill.
Q: Can I make a dessert + savory combo board?
A: Yes! Use mini bowls to separate sweet and savory elements.
Shop all Charcuterie Board Must-Haves
I've curated a full gallery of the perfect Christmas Charcuterie Board Finds on Amazon so you don't have to! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
- All
- Boards
- cutlery/utensils
- Small Bowls
- Cookie Cutters
- Treats
Final Thoughts 💭
A Christmas charcuterie board is more than just food, it’s an experience. It sparks conversation, looks beautiful in photos, and instantly elevates any holiday gathering. Whether you go with a Santa, tree, candy cane, or dessert theme, each board tells a festive story.
Make it your own with your favorite cheeses, seasonal fruits, and cozy touches. And don’t forget to share your creation on Pinterest!
Question?🍁 Leave a comment below — I’d love to hear!
As always, if you decide to incorporate any of these Christmas Charcuterie Boards, please tag me on Pinterest (@MrsPassivePrincess) — I’d love to see what you come up with!
As always, if you decide to incorporate any of these Christmas Charcuterie Boards, please tag me on Pinterest (@MrsPassivePrincess) — I’d love to see what you come up with!Until next time, keep serving looks without breaking the bank. ✨
Xoxo,
Mrs.PassivePrincess
