A charcuterie board is the easiest way to put a showstopper on the holiday table. There’s no cooking marathon: you arrange, you garnish, and guests graze all evening.
These five boards all come from Fork To Spoon, and they cover every part of the season, from a kid-friendly Thanksgiving spread to a snowman for Christmas morning and a garlicky butter board for New Year’s Eve.
The Boards
1. Thanksgiving Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board
Kick off the season with a board the little ones can graze on while the turkey roasts. It mixes string cheese, cheddar cubes and mini mozzarella balls with rolled-up turkey and ham, pretzels, crackers, fruit, veggies and a couple of dips like hummus or ranch. Gummy bears, marshmallows and chocolate-covered raisins add pops of color.
Make it festive: Cut cheese slices into pumpkins or turkeys with cookie cutters, and set the board on a low table where kids can reach it. Halve the grapes for young children.
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board
2. Snowman Charcuterie Board
The cutest Christmas morning breakfast you’ll ever serve. Stacked powdered doughnuts form the snowman’s body, French toast sticks and waffle squares make the hat, and bacon strips become the scarf. Dried figs, a strawberry and dried cranberries make the face, and toaster waffles cut into snowflakes surround it with berries and mini muffins.
Make it festive: Start with a “snowy” base of scrambled eggs and finish with a dusting of powdered sugar. Use toothpicks to steady the stacked doughnuts, and tell guests they’re there.
Get the recipe: Snowman Charcuterie Board
3. Breakfast Charcuterie Board
A brunch-style spread for holiday mornings or a day-after gathering. Think bagels, croissants and mini muffins with brie and cream cheese, prosciutto, bacon or smoked salmon, fresh and dried fruit, eggs, and yogurt cups topped with granola and berries.
Make it festive: Put out honey, preserves and maple syrup in small bowls, and garnish with fresh mint or herbs. Assemble it right before serving.
Get the recipe: Breakfast Charcuterie Board
4. Christmas Donut Wreath
A no-bake holiday centerpiece that comes together in about 15 minutes. It’s an easy sweet board to set out for dessert or a cookie-swap party.
Get the recipe: Christmas Donut Wreath
5. Air Fryer Butter Board
The viral butter board, made party-ready with homemade bagel chips. Softened butter is swirled across the board, dotted with smashed roasted garlic, and topped with Parmesan, capers, salt and pepper. The air fryer turns thin bagel slices into crispy garlic chips at 300°F in about 7 to 9 minutes.
Make it festive: Serve it right away with the warm chips. It’s a great savory pick for New Year’s Eve.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Butter Board
Tips for Building a Holiday Board
- Pick a board that fits your crowd. A big tray for a party, a smaller one for family.
- Place the anchors first. Set down dip bowls, cheeses and larger items, then fill the gaps with fruit, meats and crackers.
- Go for color. Berries, grapes and a few sweets make the board pop, especially for kids.
- Prep ahead, assemble late. Cut fruit and cheese earlier in the day, then build the board shortly before guests arrive.
- Keep it safe. Use ice packs under cheeses and meats if the board will sit out a while, and label any allergens like nuts.
Pick one board for each gathering this season and you’ve got a festive centerpiece with almost no cooking. Happy hosting!
