14 Charcuterie Ideas for Holiday Hosting

These boards and bite-sized setups bring big flavor with minimal fuss, making them ideal for gatherings or casual get-togethers. From savory meats and cheeses to sweet treats and themed holiday ideas, there’s something here for every kind of crowd. Skewers, cups, and boards all offer a fun way to serve snacks without needing a formal meal. These options make entertaining easy, colorful, and full of variety.

Charcuterie Cups

A clear cup filled with grapes, almonds, cubed and sliced cheese, salami, crackers, and raspberries, arranged on skewers. — Charcuterie Cups. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

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These single-serve cups are packed with meats, cheeses, crackers, and extras like olives or nuts. They’re easy to grab and go, keeping things neat and personal. Perfect for parties where everyone wants to snack without hovering over one big board. They also look great lined up on a table.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Cups

Jewish Desserts Board

A platter with bowls of blueberries and strawberries, assorted dried fruits, chocolate-covered snacks, and coffee cups in the background on a striped cloth. — Jewish Desserts Board. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This board focuses on traditional Jewish sweets like rugelach, babka, and hamantaschen. It brings together a variety of textures and flavors, from flaky to dense and nutty to fruity. Serve it at holiday celebrations or anytime you want to share a taste of tradition. It feels warm, nostalgic, and generous.
Get the Recipe: Jewish Desserts Board

Epic Nacho Snack Board

A platter with tortilla chips surrounded by bowls of queso, shredded cheese, ground beef, shredded chicken, refried beans, vegetables, rice, salsa, pico de gallo, and green sauce. — Epic Nacho Snack Board. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Layered chips with toppings like cheese, jalapeños, beans, and guac spread out on a large tray. Everyone can dig in and build their own plate from the options. It’s colorful, filling, and made for a crowd. A solid choice for game days or casual nights.
Get the Recipe: Epic Nacho Snack Board

Charcuterie Skewers

Four appetizer skewers with cheese cubes, salami, grapes, green olives, pickles, and cherry tomatoes on a wooden cutting board. — Charcuterie Skewers. Photo credit: Low Calorie Eating.

Everything you’d find on a board—stacked on a stick. These skewers feature meats, cheeses, olives, and veggies arranged in easy-to-eat layers. They’re a tidy way to serve finger foods without needing extra utensils. You can prep them ahead and customize for any theme.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Skewers

Fall Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, nuts, olives, pickles, and two small decorative gourds arranged on a wooden tray. — Fall Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Food Plus Words.

This board leans into autumn flavors with figs, apples, pumpkin seeds, and spiced nuts. Add seasonal cheeses and cured meats for a cozy touch. The colors and textures feel right at home during cooler weather. It’s great for early fall dinners or weekend snacks.
Get the Recipe: Fall Charcuterie Board

Smore Charcuterie Board

A wooden board topped with sliced strawberries, kiwi, apple, cherries, assorted cookies, mini crackers, marshmallows, chocolate pieces, dipping sauces, and wafer biscuits. — Smore Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Food Plus Words.

Stack this one with graham crackers, marshmallows, and every kind of chocolate. Add extras like peanut butter cups, cookies, or fruit for more variety. It works for indoor or outdoor setups. A sweet way to build-your-own dessert.
Get the Recipe: Smore Charcuterie Board

Easy Charcuterie Board

A round charcuterie board with breadsticks, assorted meats, cheeses, grape tomatoes, grapes, and a bowl of nuts, garnished with rosemary, on a light wooden surface. — Easy Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

This one keeps things simple with classic meats, cheeses, and crackers. Add a few spreads and some grapes or pickles, and it’s ready to go. No need for anything fancy or complicated. It’s all about balance and easy assembly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Charcuterie Board

Aldi Charcuterie Board

A platter with sliced salami, cheese cubes, crackers, cashews, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and cured meat sticks, arranged in sections on a rectangular dish. — Aldi Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Next Level Baker.

Built entirely from ingredients found at Aldi, this board proves you don’t need to splurge. You can include budget-friendly meats, cheeses, dips, and even sweets. It’s great for entertaining on short notice. Smart, affordable, and still impressive.
Get the Recipe: Aldi Charcuterie Board

Antipasto Skewers

Skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, tortellini, prosciutto, and basil leaves arranged on a rectangular white plate. — Antipasto Skewers. Photo credit: XOXO Bella.

These Italian-inspired skewers are loaded with salami, mozzarella, olives, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle them with olive oil or balsamic for extra flavor. They’re light but satisfying, and easy to eat with one hand. A good match for cocktails or lunch spreads.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Charcuterie Board

A classic layout with a mix of cheeses, cured meats, fruits, nuts, and breads. Arrange everything for visual appeal, mixing colors and shapes. There’s no wrong way to build it. Just aim for variety and balance across flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Board

Thanksgiving charcuterie board

A round wooden board with rows of crackers, meats, cheeses, nuts, and a pear arranged to resemble a turkey, surrounded by small plates of snacks on a white countertop. — Thanksgiving charcuterie board. Photo credit: XOXO Bella.

This one brings in flavors like sage, cranberry, and roasted nuts to match the season. Add meats, cheeses, and maybe a few leftovers from the big meal. It’s a relaxed way to keep the grazing going. Great for pre-dinner snacking or next-day bites.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving charcuterie board

Easy Turkey Veggie Tray for Thanksgiving

A round platter with sliced cucumbers, carrots, yellow carrots, and snap peas arranged in a sunburst pattern, with a dip decorated to look like a face using a tomato, carrots, and olives. — Easy Turkey Veggie Tray for Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Rose Bakes.

A playful veggie tray shaped like a turkey, using sliced peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes as feathers. A small bowl of dip makes the body. It’s fun for kids and adds a splash of color to the table. A clever way to sneak in some fresh crunch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Turkey Veggie Tray for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dessert Charcuterie Board

A wooden tray filled with assorted cookies, cake rolls, chocolate pieces, a bowl of dip, and a small decorative pumpkin. — Thanksgiving Dessert Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Rose Bakes.

This dessert spread includes cookies, mini pies, candies, and fall-inspired treats. It’s all arranged for nibbling after the big meal. Think pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and plenty of chocolate. Skip plating and just let everyone graze.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Dessert Charcuterie Board

Brunch Charcuterie Board

A round charcuterie board with crackers, sliced cheese, pepperoni, berries, pretzels, sliced red bell pepper, white candies, and a brie wheel with a star-shaped cutout filled with jam. — Brunch Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Low Calorie Eating.

A mix of breakfast and lunch bites—think bagels, fruit, smoked salmon, cheeses, and pastries. Add spreads like cream cheese or honey for more variety. This board works for holidays or casual weekends. It’s filling and fun without needing a full meal setup.
Get the Recipe: Brunch Charcuterie Board