Name: Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 to 8 ounces semi-hard cheese (gouda, cheddar, havarti); Additional cubed cheese for layers; Cheese cut into stars or snowflakes for topping; 10 to 15 red grapes; 1/2 cup fresh raspberries; 2 to 3 mini cucumbers, sliced into rounds; Handful of olives for decorating; 1/2 cup marcona almonds; 1/4 cup candied ginger; 3 ounces salami, folded; Assorted crackers; 4 to 5 sprigs of fresh rosemary; Honey for serving

There’s something instantly joyful about presenting a platter that feels like a celebration—and that’s exactly why I adore this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe. It’s not just delicious, but it brings that holiday magic right to your table in the form of a beautifully arranged, edible Christmas tree. Let me show you how to make it shine!

A round wooden board holds a Christmas tree shaped arrangement with seven layers: at the top, two star-shaped light yellow cheese pieces sit on light beige crackers with herb flecks, below them is a row of curled dark red salami slices with green rosemary sprigs. Next is a layer of small yellow cheese cubes, followed by a row of bright red raspberries mixed with green olives and small translucent yellow cubes. Below that is a layer of pale beige almonds, then sliced green cucumbers with green rosemary sprigs on top, and a row of dark red grapes. The second to last layer has thin yellow cheese sticks arranged neatly, with more rosemary sprigs. The bottom layer consists of overlapping round beige crackers with a bit of browning. Around the board are small festive red and gold balls, a white bowl with golden honey and a small wooden honey dipper, and a gold cheese knife, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This festive charcuterie board isn't just a treat for your taste buds—it’s a delightful way to bring friends and family together. I’ve made this for holiday parties and casual hangouts alike, and every time it steals the show for its charm and ease.

Eye-catching design: The Christmas tree shape makes this board a centerpiece that’s as festive as your decorations.
Beginner-friendly: Using string to create the tree outline ensures it’s simple to assemble perfectly—even if you’re new to charcuterie.
Balanced flavors: Combining cheeses, fruits, nuts, and savory meats creates layers of taste and texture everyone will enjoy.
Customizable: You can swap ingredients easily for dietary needs or personal favorites without losing the festive look.

The image shows a close-up of a layered snack arrangement with seven horizontal layers. From top to bottom: small cubes of yellow cheese; bright red raspberries with a few pieces of light yellow candied ginger scattered; light brown roasted almonds; thin, round slices of green cucumber with small dried herbs sprinkled on them; a line of fresh green rosemary sprigs; dark red grapes with more pieces of candied ginger between them; and long, thin sticks of pale yellow cheese. At the very bottom, there is a cracker and an olive with more rosemary on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Putting together this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe means picking ingredients that meld beautifully in taste and look stunning together. Each item offers a different texture or pop of color that, combined, bring that holiday vibe you want on your table.

Flat lay of semi-hard gouda cheese blocks and slices, a small cluster of red grapes, a small pile of marcona almonds, sliced mini cucumber rounds arranged neatly, fresh rosemary sprigs with vibrant green needles, folded slices of deep red salami, fresh raspberries in a small mound, roughly chopped pieces of golden candied ginger, a few black olives, a few simple round crackers, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, all arranged with perfect symmetry in balanced proportions on a clean white ceramic plate and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-hard cheeses (Gouda, Cheddar, Havarti): These cheeses slice well and offer varied flavors that complement sweet and savory pairings.
Red grapes: Juicy and vibrant, grapes add little bursts of sweetness and color contrast.
Marcona almonds: Buttery and crunchy, they provide a pleasing texture and sophistication.
Mini cucumbers: Cool and crisp slices contribute freshness and a mild bite.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: Not just for scent—they're a festive green that visually mimic pine needles.
Salami: Folded slices bring a savory, meaty layer to balance the fruit and cheese.
Fresh raspberries: Their bright tartness and red hue add holiday cheer and tart flavor.
Candied ginger: Adds a touch of sparkle with zesty sweetness that's unexpected and fun.
Crackers: The sturdy base to scoop and hold all your tasty goodies.
Olives: Round green or black olives serve as little "ornaments," adding savory flavor and visual interest.
Honey: A subtle drizzle on the side brings a sweet contrast that pairs beautifully with cheese.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe is how much you can tailor it to your tastes or your crowd. I love swapping out a few items to keep it fresh every year—and you can too!

Variation: For a dairy-free crowd, I once swapped cheese for marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers, and the board still looked stunning and tasted fantastic.
Seasonal Twist: Try swapping raspberries for pomegranate arils or cranberries during the holidays for a vibrant, festive touch.
Vegan-Friendly: Use plant-based cheese alternatives and add roasted nuts or olives to keep it colorful and appetizing.
Time Saver: Pre-slice everything a day ahead and store each ingredient separately, then assemble last-minute for a super quick setup.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Step 1: Setting the Foundation

Start with a board that’s big enough—mine is an 18-inch wooden one with a metal rim, which works perfectly. Take a roll of string and lay out an even triangle to mimic your tree shape. I tape the string’s corners to the board to keep it from shifting. This simple step sets you up for success because it gives you a clear border to fill in with ingredients, so nothing ends up looking lopsided.

Step 2: Building the Base Layers

Start at the bottom of your triangle and place one row of crackers. Then add a layer of stick-shaped cheese, followed by a row of juicy red grapes. This alternating sequence of crackers, cheese, and fruit creates a balanced base with texture, flavor, and color that invites everyone to dig in.

Step 3: Layering Freshness and Crunch

Next, add two rows of thinly sliced mini cucumbers. Their cool crispness offers the perfect counterpoint to the richness of cheeses. Over the cucumbers, pile on marcona almonds gently to create a slight mound—they add an elegant crunch that pairs beautifully with every bite.

Step 4: Adding Berry Brightness and Savory Treats

Add two rows of fresh raspberries next for a lovely red pop. Then scatter a generous amount of cubed cheese above the berries. After that, fold your salami slices and arrange them neatly—this savory layer adds depth and that classic charcuterie feel. Top off with another layer of crackers to fill in spaces.

Step 5: Decorate Like a Pro

Cut cheese into stars or snowflakes to place at the very top of your tree, creating an edible “star.” Scatter candied ginger pieces throughout to catch the light and add sweetness. Wedge sprigs of fresh rosemary vertically between rows—it looks just like pine branches. Finally, tuck in a handful of olives for a fun “ornament” effect. Carefully remove the string once you’re happy with the arrangement. Serve with a drizzle of honey on the side, inviting guests to mix sweet and savory as they please.

Top Tip

From making this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe a dozen times, I've learned some tricks that make your board look irresistible and save some prep stress.

String Guide: Using taped string to outline your tree ensures your rows stay neat; it’s a game changer especially if you’re new to charcuterie boards.
Ingredient Prep: Slice cheeses and cucumbers the day before and keep them airtight; it cuts down on your day-of work dramatically.
Balance Flavors: Make sure to mix savory, sweet, and crunchy elements in every section for a well-rounded board that’s always a hit.
Fresh Rosemary Placement: Gently wedge rosemary sprigs to avoid bruising leaves—they add visual impact without overpowering flavors.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Christmas Tree Charcuterie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple here—fresh rosemary sprigs not only look festive but bring a lovely pine aroma that sets the Christmas mood. Candied ginger sprinkled around adds sparkle and sweetness. If you want to add a pop of color, extra red grapes or pomegranate seeds work beautifully.

Side Dishes

Pair this board with other easy bites like warm artisan bread, fig jam for spreading on crackers, or a simple winter salad with citrus vinaigrette. It complements a glass of red wine or sparkling cider perfectly for your holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a real wow factor, set up several mini tree boards as individual appetizers or use a wooden crate wrapped in fairy lights underneath your board for extra warmth and twinkle. I’ve also pinned tiny ornaments or metallic picks on rosemary sprigs in the past for a fun, interactive party element.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually break down the board after parties, wrapping cheese and meats separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness in the fridge for up to three days. Fruit like grapes and raspberries I eat ASAP or toss since they soften quickly.

Freezing

While meats and cheeses can be frozen, I don’t recommend freezing assembled boards because the fresh ingredients lose their texture and flavor. Instead, freeze slices of cheese or salami separately if you want to store them long term.

Reheating

This board is best served fresh, so reheating doesn’t really apply. That said, if you want to revive some cheese slices, just let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften and bring out their best flavor before serving leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the cheese for your favorite plant-based alternatives and include more veggies, nuts, and fruits. Items like marinated artichokes or roasted red peppers work great to add variety and texture.

What is the best type of cheese to use for this recipe?

Semi-hard cheeses like Gouda, Havarti, or Cheddar are my favorites because they hold shape when sliced and pair well with fruit and nuts. They also look fantastic when cut into stars or cubes for the tree’s shape.

How long does it take to assemble this charcuterie board?

From start to finish, it usually takes me about 25 minutes, including setting the string guide and arranging all the ingredients. Pre-slicing the day before cuts this time down significantly.

Can I prepare parts of the charcuterie board in advance?

Yes! Slicing cheeses and cucumbers, washing and drying fruit, and arranging nuts ahead of time help make assembly on the day of your event quick and stress-free. Just keep everything well sealed in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe is one of those joyful little projects that turns a gathering into something special. I love how it looks like art and tastes amazing, yet requires surprisingly little effort. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll find it hard to go back to ordinary platters. So grab your board, pick your favorite cheeses and goodies, and create your very own edible holiday masterpiece. Your friends and family will be blown away!