Giving a Charcuterie Board as a gift

This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking them, we will be compensated, but there is no additional cost to you.  All opinions expressed are our own.  Thank you for your support.

       Charcuterie Boards continue to be the rage and for good reason! There is a lot of good finger food on them and they look so inviting and appetizing! 
       Madalynn is particularly good at arranging a beautiful charcuterie board.   Last Mother's Day, she surprised me with this one when I walked in the door from church.
​

She built it on my huge wooden cutting board. It was so beautiful and tasty!

     Madalynn and I were talking the other day about what a great gift a charcuterie board is.  It doesn't have to be expensive either.  Maddy had the idea that if you made one on a round board, it could look like a wreath for the holidays.  Plus, not only is the food on the board a nice gift, the cutting board itself is a gift that lasts.  
​

     I was able to find this nice round board on Amazon that isn't so large that the price to fill it would be outrageous, but held plenty to snack on and the board itself is very nice and not too expensive. It is only $13.99! 
​

​Filling the Board:
​

Meats and cheeses are the most common and popular way to fill a board.  We were having a family party that we made this charcuterie board for.  (I bought the stuff, Maddy arranged it!)  I bought:

• sliced hard salami
• sliced pepperoni
• brie
• sliced cheese
• crackers (3 types and shapes)

Here is how it looked: 

     I purchased everything at my local grocery store and looked for what was on sale or marked down.  It was very reasonable.  You could also choose dips over the brie and some spinach or other veggies as dippers. 
​

Other ideas for boards could include:  cookies or other sweets and desserts.  

Imagine something like this on your round platter!

How about a Hot Cocoa Bar Charcuterie?  You can even include Hot Cocoa Bombs  along with extra marshmallows, sprinkles, cookies (Tim Tams!), whipped cream, chocolate bits, candy canes, cute mugs, chocolate spoons...the list goes on.

Who to Gift Charcuterie Boards To: 
​

• Use as a hostess gift
• neighbors
• newly weds who may appreciate the food as well as a new cutting board
• parents who are hard to buy for
• ANYONE who is hard to buy for
• Your best friend
• ME!  I would love to get one of these for the holidays, not just for a party but to enjoy with my family! 

​

How to Put a Charcuterie Board Together?
​

    My best advice is to look at some of the pictures above and more online to get ideas on how to arrange the meats, veggies, and condiments.  Just try to achieve a balance visually and have plenty of variety of colors and textures to make the board pleasing to the eye.  

• Notice how Maddy used little containers for the mustard or dips. 
• Create a focal piece on the board and work around it.  Much like the brie in the middle of the round board. 
• Small details like sprinkles, greens or bits of fruit can add to the look. 
• Fan or fold the meats to give a pleasing look.

​

      When giving a charcuterie board as a gift, be sure to keep it covered with plastic and refrigerated until you are ready to give it! 
       
       And beware, because once you make a beautiful charcuterie, you will be the popular guest at the party! Enjoy! 

​

Don't Forget These Ideas:
​

• Pie Charcuterie Board
• Cookie Puzzles
• Literature and Cookies