Christmas Charcuterie board - Wreath

There's just something about a beautifully styled grazing board that makes any gathering feel extra special ✨

Arranged as a wreath, it turns a simple charcuterie board into something quietly beautiful, with just the right touch of understated Christmas charm.

This one isn't fussy or complicated. Just thoughtfully chosen ingredients, arranged with care and a bit of creativity. A few favourite cheeses, some cured meats, fresh fruit, and fragrant rosemary...and suddenly you've got a centrepiece that's almost too pretty to eat.

You can use any of your favourite nibbles to build it. We'll walk you through plenty of options for cheeses, meats, fruit, crackers, and festive touches to make it your own.

Dips and spreads to add around your board...

For extra richness and colour, try dotting a few dips and spreads around your charcuterie wreath. A creamy tuna pâté adds savoury depth, while bright pink beetroot hummus brings a festive pop. Pistachio pesto makes a bold, herby dip, and little butter rosettes add a touch of charm (and are easier to make than you think).

The ingredients we used in our wreath (and how they shine)

This is the exact combination we used, chosen for colour, texture, and a bit of festive flair.

• Rosemary or thyme - A lush, fragrant base that makes the whole board smell like Christmas.
• Prosciutto - Silky and salty, bunched up into elegant little ruffles.
• Quality ham - Milder and meatier to balance out the prosciutto.
• Brie - Soft and creamy, sliced thin and fanned out for movement.
• Feta - Crumbly, tangy and bright, plus it adds great visual contrast.
• Grapes - Sweet and juicy; I break them into small clusters to scatter around.
• Olives - For a briny hit and a splash of glossy green.
• Pickled onions - Tangy, crunchy and perfect for cutting through the richness.
• Radishes - Crisp and peppery with a festive pop of pink.
• Salad cress - A final sprinkle of freshness that makes everything look alive.

Why this wreath works so well

The secret to a great charcuterie board is balancing soft, crunchy, creamy, and chewy elements. Plus shapes and heights that make it as pleasing to the eye as to the palate.

Step-by-step instructions:

Step 1 - Prepare your surface:

Thoroughly clean and prepare your surface. You can line it with parchment paper (if you're building directly onto your dining table, for instance) or use a large wooden board.

Step 2 - Shape the rosemary wreath:

Place a dinner plate upside down in the centre of your surface.

Snip the rosemary or thyme into roughly equal lengths and arrange it around the plate.

This looks better if you place the sprigs of rosemary at a 45-degree angle to the plate, so it's more of a 'swoop' around the board, and not a sunbeam effect.

Remove the plate and tidy up the herb shape into a perfect inside circle.

Step 2 - Add your nibbles:

Start with the largest items, such as the meats, and space them evenly around the circle. Scrunch them into loose little bundles to add texture and height.

Next, add the cheese next to or near to the meats, all the way around. Slice it or cut into cubes so guests can help themselves easily.

Fill in the empty spaces with the small items like the grapes, olives, onions and radishes.

Chop the salad cress a little smaller and scatter over for colour and freshness.

Step 3 - Tidy it up:

After adding the nibbles, the rosemary may get a little lost. Gently tease a few sprigs back out to reveal the greenery and define the wreath shape.

Step 4 - Add your accompaniments:

Arrange small bowls of dips, such as hummus or pâté, just outside the wreath. Place crackers or baguette slices nearby for guests to help themselves.

Simple festive styling ideas

You don't need those retro salami roses unless you want to, but a few easy extras go a long way.

• Brie wedge with a drizzle of honey.
• Cubes of cheese shaped with mini cookie cutters (stars, trees, bells).
• Rolled prosciutto "bows" - just fold like a ribbon and tuck in.
• Radish slices as "flowers" - thinly sliced with a mandoline, fanned out.

Alternative ingredient kits

Build your own wreath with these ready-to-mix flavour and texture combinations:

🎄 Classic British Christmas

Think Boxing Day table meets cheese platter.

• Prosciutto, Parma ham, cocktail sausages.
• Brie, mature cheddar, Wensleydale, crumbly feta.
• Grapes, pickled onions, radishes.
• Water crackers, digestive biscuits.
• Rosemary, salad cress, olives.

🧀 Cheese-Lover's Dream

For those who think charcuterie boards are just cheese boards in disguise.

• Brie, aged cheddar, blue Stilton, Wensleydale with cranberry.
• Breadsticks, crostini.
• Grapes, figs, walnuts.
• Honey, chutney, dried apricots.
• Fresh rosemary.

🌱 Vegetarian & dairy-light

Bright, fresh, and light, but still festive.

• Hummus, beetroot hummus, pesto.
• Feta cubes, vegan cream cheese.
• Cherry tomatoes, olives, radishes, sugar snap peas.
• Gluten-free crackers, charcoal crackers.
• Pomegranate seeds, cress, roasted red peppers.

🎈 Kid-Friendly Board

Simple, fun, and not too "grown-up".

• Mozzarella balls, cheddar cubes.
• Mini salami sticks, rolled ham.
• Grapes, cucumber, cherry tomatoes.
• Mini breadsticks, triangle sandwiches.
• Star-shaped cheese slices (cut with cookie cutters!).

Dietary swaps and tips

• Gluten-free? Use GF crackers or seed crispbreads.
• Vegetarian? Skip meat and load up on dips, veg, and pickles.
• Dairy-free? Use creamy vegan cheeses, roasted veg, or extra dips.

Tips for restocking your wreath charcuterie board

• Keep extras chilled - Store backup portions of meats, cheeses, and fruits in the fridge so you can top up as needed without anything going dry or soft.
• Restock in small batches - Add a few items at a time rather than refilling everything at once. This keeps the wreath from losing its shape or getting overcrowded.
• Use tongs or clean hands - Gently tuck in replacements from the edges, so the arrangement stays intact and still looks pretty.
• Fluff the herbs - If the rosemary starts looking a little flattened or hidden, pull a few sprigs back to the surface to revive that wreath shape.
• Rotate or swap out dips - If a dip bowl starts looking a bit sad, swap it for a fresh one with a clean spoon. No one wants crusty hummus.

Storage, leftovers & make-ahead tips

Leftover meat? Wrap tightly. Lasts 4-5 days.

Cheese? Wrap in wax/parchment and plastic, store up to 1 week.

Crackers? Airtight container for 2-3 days max.

Fresh fruit? Use within 1-2 days, store in a lined tub.

Olives/pickles? Transfer to a clean container, lasts up to 2 weeks.

Do-ahead tip: Build your herb base the day before, cover loosely with a wrap.

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Roasted tenderstem broccoli with parmesan and pine nuts

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