Christmas charcuterie board

A Christmas charcuterie board is a festive and colorful spread filled with a mix of tasty treats like savory cheeses, crunchy crackers, sweet fruits, and a variety of cured meats.…

By Willow • December 1, 2025 • Reading time: 6 min

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A Christmas charcuterie board is a festive and colorful spread filled with a mix of tasty treats like savory cheeses, crunchy crackers, sweet fruits, and a variety of cured meats. It’s a perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering, bringing together different flavors and textures that everyone can enjoy. The bright reds, greens, and golds from the fruits and nuts add a cheerful touch that instantly gets you in the holiday spirit.

I love putting together my Christmas charcuterie board with a few special touches, like adding sugared cranberries or a sprinkle of rosemary for that fresh piney scent. One of my favorite parts is arranging everything in little piles and patterns that make the board feel magical and inviting. It’s also a great way to mix up flavors, so you can combine salty and sweet in every bite, which always gets compliments from guests.

When I serve it, I like to set the board in the middle of the table where everyone can gather around and help themselves while chatting and sipping on their favorite drinks. It makes the holiday feel relaxed and fun, without any stress about who’s hungry or what to eat next. Plus, leftovers are a gift on their own—you can snack on the goodies for days after the party!

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Brie Cheese: Brie is soft and creamy, perfect for Santa’s “face.” If you prefer, Camembert works great too. For a firmer texture, try a young wheel of goat cheese.

Cured Meats: Salami and spicy sausages like chorizo add a nice kick. You can swap for prosciutto or smoked ham if you like milder flavors or want gluten-free options.

Fruits & Nuts: Grapes and fresh berries add sweetness and color. Substitute with apple or pear slices if berries aren’t in season. Walnuts can be swapped for almonds or pecans based on your taste.

Crackers: Choose a mix of textures like round, crunchy crackers and rustic breads. Gluten-free crackers are fine too to keep everyone happy.

How Can I Make Santa’s Face Look Charming and Tidy?

Creating Santa’s face as the centerpiece takes some gentle attention. Here’s how:

• Gently score the Brie rind in curved lines to mimic a beard without cutting too deep or breaking the cheese.
• Use small olives or peppercorns for eyes so they stay in place.
• Attach the nose (small cheese round) carefully on top, using a dab of soft cheese as glue if needed.
• Shape the mustache from pretzel sticks or puff pastry strips, positioning them over the “mouth” area with care.
• Add the hat last, either edible or decorative, making sure it stands tall but doesn’t squish the cheese.

Keep the board cool until serving to prevent the Brie from melting, especially if your gathering is outdoors or in a warmer room.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large wooden or slate serving board – great for displaying all your cheeses, meats, and fruits with a rustic look.
• Cheese knives – let you cut and serve soft and hard cheeses neatly without crushing them.
• Small bowls or ramekins – perfect for holding berries, nuts, or small crackers to keep the board tidy.
• Toothpicks or cocktail picks – make grabbing small bites easy and mess-free for guests.
• Sharp paring knife – helps cut fruits, cheese cubes, and shape small details like Santa’s nose.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

• Swap salami for prosciutto for a lighter, silky cured meat option that melts in your mouth.
• Add a blue cheese wedge for a bold, tangy flavor to balance the milder cheeses and sweet fruits.
• Include roasted nuts like spiced pecans or candied walnuts for a crunchy, sweet twist.
• Use seasonal fruits like sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, or dried cranberries to boost color and festive flavors.

Christmas Charcuterie Board

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For Santa’s Face:

• 1 wheel of Brie cheese
• 1 small round cheese (Gouda or Cheddar)
• Black olives or peppercorns (for eyes)
• Small piece of red bell pepper or cherry tomato (for mouth)
• Pretzel sticks or puff pastry strips (for mustache)
• Red and white felt or paper hat ornament, or edible red velvet shaped like Santa’s hat

For the Meats and Cheeses:

• 1 cup sliced salami
• 1 cup sliced spicy cured sausage (such as chorizo or pepperoni)
• 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sliced sharp cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
• 1 cup cubed or sliced mild cheese (Monterey Jack or Havarti)

For the Fruits, Nuts, and Crackers:

• 1 cup dried fig rounds
• 1 cup assorted crackers (round and rustic shapes)
• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 cup red grapes
• 1 bowl fresh blackberries or blueberries
• ½ cup assorted walnuts or pecans
• Rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

How Much Time Will You Need?

About 20-30 minutes to prepare and arrange the board, plus a few minutes to let the cheeses come to room temperature before serving. No cooking required, just some fun assembly.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Santa’s Face:

Place the Brie wheel as the base. Lightly score its rind in segments to resemble Santa’s beard. Attach the eyes using black olives or peppercorns. Use the small round cheese as the nose, securing it gently. Add a small red piece for the mouth and position pretzel sticks or pastry strips as the mustache. Top with the Santa hat decoration or an edible alternative.

2. Arrange the Board:

Set Santa’s face slightly to one side on a large wooden board. Surround it with clusters of red and green grapes. Add small bowls or piles of blackberries or blueberries nearby for color. Fan out salami and sausage slices neatly along one or two edges. Place various cheeses in rows or cubes near the meats. Nestle dried figs and nuts between meats and cheeses. Finally, align crackers along one edge to balance the board visually.

3. Garnish:

Insert rosemary sprigs throughout for a fresh, festive aroma and pleasant greenery. Optionally, tuck small Christmas ornaments or greenery around the board for extra holiday cheer.

4. Serve:

Let the board sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften the cheeses and bring out flavors. Provide cheese knives, toothpicks, and napkins so everyone can easily enjoy the delicious bites.

Can I Use Different Cheeses for Santa’s Face?

Absolutely! While Brie is perfect for a soft, creamy look, you can substitute Camembert or a mild goat cheese wheel if you prefer. Just choose a cheese that’s smooth and easy to shape.

How Long Can I Prepare the Board in Advance?

You can assemble most of the board a few hours ahead of your event. Keep it covered in the fridge and add delicate items like grapes and the Santa hat decoration just before serving to keep everything fresh.

What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?

Wrap leftover cheeses and cured meats tightly in plastic wrap or store in airtight containers. Keep fruits and crackers separate to avoid sogginess. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and bring cheeses to room temperature before enjoying again.

Can I Make the Santa Face Completely Edible?

Yes! Use edible items for the hat, like red fruit leather or a mini red velvet cupcake shaped into a hat. Avoid using non-food decorations if you want everything to be safe to eat.