Nothing says holiday cheer like a feast for the eyes and the taste buds combined, which is exactly why I adore putting together this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe. It’s not just about snacking—it's a centerpiece full of colors, textures, and joyful vibes that instantly lift your spirits!

A round wooden board holds a layered Christmas tree shape made from different foods. From bottom to top, the first layer is a circle of light beige crackers with a rough texture, topped with sprigs of rosemary and green olives. Above that is a row of thin, pale yellow cheese sticks, followed by a line of red grapes. Next, there is a layer of bright green cucumber slices with another rosemary sprig on top. Above the cucumbers is a layer of pale beige nuts. Following this is a row of bright red raspberries with small pieces of yellow candied fruit scattered on top. Above the raspberries are yellow cheese cubes, then a line of folded dark red cured meat shaped like small roses with rosemary sprigs behind them. At the very top, there are yellow snowflake-shaped cheese pieces and more light beige crackers. The board is decorated with small red and gold balls and a small white bowl of honey with a wooden honey dipper on the right side, next to a gold cheese knife. The background is 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 Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe has become my go-to for holiday gatherings because it’s easier to make than you might think and makes such a charming impression. It’s like crafting a little edible holiday decoration, and everyone loves nibbling their way down the ‘tree’!

Impressive Visual: The triangular tree shape outlined with string keeps things neat and creates an eye-catching display every time.
Simple Ingredients: All you need are a handful of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and a few festive extras, which you can easily find at your local store.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want to add your favorite meats or swap fruits, it’s friendly to your personal tastes and dietary needs.
Perfect Party Starter: It’s a crowd-pleaser that encourages conversation and sharing—ideal for holiday cheer.

The image shows a close-up of a layered snack board arranged in neat horizontal rows on a white marbled surface. From top to bottom, the first layer consists of small yellow cheese cubes, followed by bright red raspberries mixed with a few black olives and small golden sugar crystals. Below is a layer of light brown almonds, neatly piled, and then a row of thin, round cucumber slices with small rosemary leaves sprinkled on them. A bunch of fresh green rosemary sprigs lies across the cucumber slices. This is followed by a row of dark red cherries, some with shiny surfaces, mixed sparingly with golden sugar crystals. Below the cherries, there are pale yellow cheese sticks placed horizontally, and at the bottom are more sprigs of rosemary with a few dark olives resting on light brown, textured crackers. The overall look is colorful, fresh, and clean, highlighting the different textures and colors of the ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe really comes from balancing savory, sweet, crunchy, and fresh flavors. Selecting quality ingredients not only tastes better but also makes the final presentation pop with different colors and textures.

Flat lay of semi-hard gouda cheese wedge with natural rind, clusters of shiny red grapes, a small pile of smooth brown marcona almonds, thin rounds of bright green mini cucumbers, fresh fragrant sprigs of rosemary, neatly folded slices of deep red salami, vibrant fresh raspberries, rough-textured golden candied ginger chunks, scattered glossy black olives, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, and a neat stack of rustic crackers, all arranged symmetrically in balanced proportions on simple white ceramic dishes, 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 hold their shape well and offer creamy, mild to sharp flavors that pair brilliantly with sweet fruits and salty meats.
Red grapes: Their juicy sweetness contrasts beautifully with the salty savory items and their deep color adds to the tree’s festive look.
Marcona almonds: Subtly buttery and less bitter than regular almonds, they add a lovely crunch without overpowering the other flavors.
Mini cucumbers: Fresh and crisp, sliced rounds bring a nice green pop and a refreshing palate cleanser between richer bites.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: These serve as the ‘tree branches’ and bring a woodsy aroma that smells exactly like Christmas.
Salami: Folded slices provide a rustic savory note with a hint of spice, complementing the milder cheese varieties.
Fresh raspberries: Their tartness and delicate texture contrast beautifully with the creamy cheese and crunchy crackers, adding festive red accents.
Candied ginger: Adds seasonal sparkle and a little zing, making the board feel extra special.
Crackers: The perfect sturdy base for toppings, with tons of varieties available to tailor to your taste.
Olives: Like ornaments on the tree, they bring a salty zip and deepen the flavor complexity.
Honey: A drizzle on the side adds unexpected sweetness and helps tie all components together, especially with savory 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

While I adore the classic combo in this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe, I always like to play around with it — depending on what’s in season or what I know my guests will love. Feel free to swap or add ingredients to suit your style!

Variation: Once, I added small cubes of smoked gouda and dried apricots for a subtle smoky-sweet mix that was a big hit—such a fun twist that made the flavors shine even more.
Diet-Friendly: For a vegetarian take, you can add marinated artichokes or roasted red peppers instead of salami to keep things colorful and flavorful.
Seasonal Switch: Swap raspberries for pomegranate seeds or cranberries for a holiday burst of color while adding a little crunch.

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

Step 1: Shape Your Canvas

Start with an 18-inch round wooden board or something similar — this gives you plenty of space. I use a roll of string to outline an even triangle shape to create the look of a Christmas tree. Simply tape each corner of the triangle lightly to the board to hold it in place while you fill it in. This step is a game-changer: your tree shape stays neat and structured!

Step 2: Begin Building Layers from the Bottom Up

Lay down a row of crackers along the base of the triangle—think of this as the tree trunk foundation. On top of that, add sticks of your chosen cheese, followed by a row of red grapes. Arranging in rows keeps the board tidy and makes it easier to grab bites.

Step 3: Freshness in the Middle

Next, add two rows of thinly sliced mini cucumbers — their green hue adds depth to your tree colors and refreshing crunch. After that, create a textured layer with a mound of marcona almonds. Don’t worry about being perfect here, a little mound makes the presentation more organic and inviting.

Step 4: Sweeten & Layer Up

Place two rows of fresh raspberries next — their bright red color pops beautifully. Add a generous amount of cubed cheese on top for a creamy contrast before folding in the salami slices in the next layer. Fill gaps with crackers to keep the shape solid.

Step 5: The Finishing Touches

Top your tree with cheese cut into stars or snowflake shapes — this personal touch makes it festive and fun! Then, scatter candied ginger around to add sparkle and tuck fresh rosemary sprigs between the layers to simulate pine branches. Pop in a few olives as ‘ornaments’ before carefully removing the string outline. Serve alongside honey for drizzling.

Top Tip

Having made this board a handful of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the assembly smoother and the final result more stunning:

String Guide: Using a string outline keeps everything crisp and helps you fit all the ingredients perfectly into the tree shape without overcrowding.
Prep Ingredients in Advance: Cube and slice your cheeses and veggies beforehand; this step is so relaxing and lets you enjoy the assembly without rushing.
Balance Flavors: I always make sure to taste and adjust — if one layer feels too salty or too sweet, adding a little honey or extra nuts rebalances nicely.
Delicate Cheese Cuts: Use a sharp knife for clean star and snowflake shapes to keep the top neat and festive, and don’t be afraid to experiment with cookie cutters!

How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Christmas Tree Charcuterie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to stick with fresh rosemary sprigs for that evergreen look—and I always add a sprinkle of candied ginger for sparkle. The olives bring a cute pop of color and a little festive flair, too. These garnishes are simple but really set the vibe.

Side Dishes

Pair this board with some warm spiced mulled wine or a festive punch, and perhaps a small bowl of honey-mustard dip on the side. If you want something heartier, roasted chestnuts or a warm baked brie are lovely companions that complement the flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I tried layering the ingredients on a two-tiered board shaped like a tree for a playful height effect. Another time, I swapped out garnishes for edible flowers and gold leaf on the cheese for a fancy dinner party look. Let your imagination run wild—this board is so flexible!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftover boards with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge. Cheeses and meats keep well, but fruits and crackers can get soggy, so I try to enjoy most of it same day. If you anticipate leftovers, keep crackers separate to maintain their crunch.

Freezing

This board isn’t really meant for freezing since the fresh fruits and crackers don’t freeze well. Instead, freeze any extra cheese or salami separately to enjoy later, then grab fresh fruit when you’re ready to assemble again!

Reheating

No reheating here—this board is all about fresh, cold bites. But if you want a warm touch, warming some honey lightly before drizzling is a cozy way to enhance the flavors without heating the whole board.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different cheeses in this Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match your favorites—just try to pick semi-hard cheeses that hold shape well for the tree layers, like Gouda, Havarti, or Cheddar.

How far ahead can I prepare the board?

To keep everything fresh and crisp, I recommend assembling the board no more than a few hours before serving. You can prep and slice ingredients earlier, but wait to layer to avoid sogginess.

What can I substitute for salami if accommodating vegetarians?

Great question! I like to use folded marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper strips, or even smoked tofu slices for a similar savory depth without meat.

How do I prevent the crackers from getting soggy?

Keep crackers separate until just before serving if possible. Also, layering them with cheese or dry ingredients rather than juicy fruits helps them stay crisp longer on the board.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe is truly one of those recipes that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Every time I put it together, I feel that cozy holiday excitement, and seeing everyone gather around it is such a joy. Give it a try this season—you’ll create beautiful memories and delicious bites all in one!