Christmas & New Year's Cheese Board Guide: How to Create the Perfect Festive Grazing Spread

The art of the festive cheese board—it's more than just food, it's an invitation to gather, linger, and celebrate. Whether you're hosting Christmas dinner or ringing in the New Year, a beautifully styled grazing board sets the tone for the entire celebration. This guide will show you how to create a stunning cheese and charcuterie spread that looks impressive but comes together effortlessly.

Choosing Your Board

What Size Do You Need?

• 4-6 guests: 40-50cm board
• 8-10 guests: 50-60cm board or multiple smaller boards
• 12+ guests: Create a grazing table with multiple boards

Best Materials

Acacia wood (like our Warwick Wood Serving Board): Durable, beautiful grain, naturally antimicrobial

Marble or slate: Keeps cheese cool, elegant presentation

Bamboo: Sustainable, lightweight option

Top Tip: Boards with handles make carrying from kitchen to table effortless, especially when loaded with festive spreads.

The Foundation - What to Include

CHEESES (Choose 3-5 varieties for balance)

Soft Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, goat's cheese - creamy texture, mild flavour, perfect for spreading on crackers

Hard Cheeses: Aged Cheddar, Manchego, Parmesan, Gruyère - sharp, nutty flavours, slice or cube for easy serving

Blue Cheeses: Stilton (classic British choice), Gorgonzola, Roquefort - bold, tangy flavour, a little goes a long way

Festive Cheese Pairings:

• Christmas: Wensleydale with cranberries, mature Cheddar, creamy Brie
• New Year's: Champagne pairs beautifully with triple cream Brie, aged Gouda, mild blue cheese

CHARCUTERIE (Choose 2-4 varieties)

Prosciutto, salami, chorizo, coppa - fold, roll, or fan for visual interest, place between cheese sections for colour contrast

CRACKERS & BREAD

Artisan crackers (plain, seeded, rosemary), breadsticks or grissini, baguette slices (toasted if preferred), water biscuits for neutral base

Festive Touch: Add cranberry or fig crackers for Christmas, or seeded crackers for New Year's elegance.

FRESH & DRIED FRUITS

Fresh: Red and green grapes (festive colours!), apple or pear slices (brush with lemon juice to prevent browning), fresh figs (when in season), pomegranate seeds for sparkle

Dried: Dates, apricots, figs, dried cranberries (Christmas red!), candied orange peel

NUTS & EXTRAS

Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, olives (green, Kalamata, stuffed), cornichons or pickled onions, honey or fig jam in small dish, wholegrain mustard, fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish

How to Arrange Your Board (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Place Your Cheeses Start with your largest cheese pieces, distribute evenly across board (not clustered together), leave some already sliced, others whole with cheese knife

Step 2: Add Charcuterie Fold, roll, or fan slices for height and texture, place in gaps between cheeses, create visual flow across the board

Step 3: Position Crackers & Bread Stand crackers upright or fan out, place along edges or in corners, create height variation

Step 4: Fill with Fruits Scatter grapes in clusters, add dried fruits in small piles, use colourful fruits (red, green, purple) for festive appeal

Step 5: Fill Remaining Gaps Nuts scattered throughout, olives in small clusters, fresh herbs for garnish and aroma

Step 6: Add Small Bowls Honey, jam, or mustard in tiny dishes, place on board or beside it

Top Styling Tips: ✅ Create Height: Stack, fold, stand items upright ✅ Odd Numbers: Arrange in groups of 3 or 5 ✅ Colour Balance: Distribute festive colours evenly ✅ Fill Every Gap: No empty spaces—abundance is key ✅ Easy Access: Leave room for cheese knives and serving utensils

Festive Drink Pairings

CHRISTMAS PAIRINGS

Red Wine: Pairs with mature Cheddar, hard cheeses, charcuterie Port or Sherry: Beautiful with blue cheese and dried fruits Mulled Wine: Complements spiced crackers and festive spreads Sparkling Wine: Works with everything!

NEW YEAR'S EVE PAIRINGS

Champagne or Prosecco: Pairs beautifully with triple cream Brie, mild cheeses White Wine: Complements soft cheeses and lighter charcuterie Craft Beer or Ale: Works with sharp Cheddar and bold flavours Cocktails: Aperol Spritz, French 75, champagne cocktails

Coordinate with Your Table

GOLD TABLE THEME (Perfect for New Year's)

Gold cutlery for cheese knives and serving, brass candle holders for warm candlelight, beige or neutral linen napkins, gold confetti scattered around board, champagne glasses with bubbles

CHRISTMAS TABLE THEME

Red and green colour accents (grapes, cranberries, herbs), rustic wooden boards and natural textures, candlelight and evergreen sprigs, festive napkins and traditional tableware

Serving Sizes & Timing

HOW MUCH TO SERVE

Starter (before dinner): 50-75g cheese per person, 2-3 charcuterie slices Main grazing event: 100-150g cheese per person, 4-5 charcuterie slices Party nibbles: 75-100g cheese per person

TIMING

Remove cheese from fridge 30-60 minutes before serving (room temperature = better flavour), assemble board 1-2 hours before guests arrive, cover with cling film until ready to serve, replenish as needed during party

Make It Special

FESTIVE TOUCHES

🎄 Christmas: Fresh rosemary sprigs, dried orange slices, cranberries, evergreen garnish, red and green colour palette

🥂 New Year's: Gold confetti, champagne pairing, elegant presentation, metallic accents, sophisticated colour palette

PRESENTATION IDEAS

Serve on rustic wooden boards for farmhouse charm, use marble or slate for elegant sophistication, create grazing table with multiple boards for large gatherings, add fresh flowers or greenery for natural beauty, use small chalkboard labels for cheese names

Care for Your Wooden Board

AFTER THE CELEBRATION

Hand wash in warm soapy water immediately, dry thoroughly with soft cloth, never soak or put in dishwasher, apply food-safe mineral oil periodically, store in cool dry place

MAINTENANCE

Oil every 4-6 weeks for regular use, sand lightly if surface becomes rough, avoid cutting directly on serving boards (use separate chopping board)

Ready to Create Your Festive Spread?

The perfect festive cheese board isn't about perfection—it's about abundance, variety, and creating a space where people want to gather. Whether you're celebrating Christmas dinner or toasting to midnight, a beautifully styled grazing spread sets the tone for memorable celebrations.

Shop Our Serving Boards: 

Warwick Wood Serving Board with Handle 

Black Wood Round Serving Board

The Richmond Serving Board Set

Acacia Wood Serving Board with Handle

Hartley Torrent Marble Serving Board