Christmas - Charcuterie & Grazing Board Inspiration

The holidays are meant for gathering and enjoying time with those close to us. A great way to elevate your snacks is by creating a a grazing board or platter. 

Platters, boards, charcuterie - whatever you call it is a collection of small bites often including meats, cheeses, fruit, preserves, crackers and other items. I am a huge proponent of grazing with company and creating boards makes it easy to attract everyone to explore.

A winter grazing board. Use seasonal items and candy as filler.

Here are some tips to creating a fun board.

Choose your FAVES

This is the opportunity to share you favourite treats and bites with company. You can also take a risk trying a new cheese, meat or item knowing that it may be liked by others. It is as much about choosing your faves as it is theirs. 

Choose Seasonal items

Christmas means we are more into preserves in much of the world. But items like pomegranates and figs are very in season. Embrace the seasonal fruit. Also take advantage of items like fresh pine clippings as garnish/fillers to bring colour pops to your display. 

Mix & Match

This is the one place that adding random items is absolutely acceptable. Sweet chocolate dipped pretzels and olives are welcome to be on the tray together. Take advantage of looking for SWEET, SPICY, SALTY, CRUNCHY or whatever mixed and matched items that will tantalize the senses. 

Use FILLERS

You don't have to completely fill the board. Use items like Christmas balls, Get creative by making use of items, herbs, clippings etc as ways to fill the board up if you have empty spaces.