There’s something so charming about a thoughtfully arranged board that feels like a festive centerpiece—especially one shaped like a tree! The Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe is a delightful way to bring both holiday cheer and delicious snacks to your gathering. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to assemble, even if you’re just getting started with charcuterie boards.

A round wooden board with layers arranged like a Christmas tree: the base layer is a circle of thin light beige crackers with swirls, topped with thin yellow cheese sticks and green rosemary sprigs; above this is a row of purple grapes, followed by a layer of thinly sliced cucumber rounds with rosemary sprigs running through them; next is a layer of light brown nuts and red raspberries sprinkled with small yellow translucent cubes; above that is a row of yellow cheese cubes and thin rolled dark red cured meat, with green rosemary sprigs in between; the top layer has three yellow star-shaped cheese pieces and more of the light beige crackers. Around the board are shiny gold and red small round ornaments, with a small white bowl of honey and a wooden honey dipper with a gold knife to the side, all 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 Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I fell in love with this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe the first time I made it—because it’s not only festive but also flexible. There’s a wonderful balance of colors, textures, and flavors that come together beautifully and make your holiday spread look effortlessly amazing.

Festive Presentation: The tree shape instantly amps up the holiday vibe at your party or family gathering.
Simple Assembly: Using string to outline the tree lets you build it in neat layers without any stress.
Flavor Variety: You get a lovely mix of salty, sweet, crunchy, and fresh—all in one board.
Great for Beginners: Even if you’ve never made a charcuterie board before, this step-by-step guide walks you through it.

The image shows a close-up of a layered snack board placed on a white marbled surface. From top to bottom, the first layer consists of small cubes of yellow cheese, scattered with a few dark olives. Below that is a row of fresh red raspberries with small pieces of crystallized ginger on top. Next is a layer of light brown almonds, followed by a neat line of thin, round cucumber slices sprinkled with some herbs. In the middle is a green rosemary sprig running horizontally. Below that are more cucumber slices, another green rosemary sprig, then a row of round, dark red grapes with a few pieces of crystallized ginger scattered among them. Finally, the bottom layer has rectangular slices of yellow cheese and a green rosemary sprig placed on top of some crackers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a part in building a festive and tasty Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe. I like choosing contrasting textures and colors so the tree looks as good as it tastes. Here’s why these particular goodies work so well together.

Flat lay of semi-hard gouda cheese block with a smooth yellow rind, small bunch of shiny red grapes, a small pile of whole marcona almonds with a light brown skin, sliced rounds of fresh mini cucumbers showing pale green flesh and seeds, fresh rosemary sprigs with dark green pine-like needles, thin folded slices of salami with a rich red color and white fat marbling, fresh bright red raspberries with a delicate bumpy surface, irregular pieces of golden translucent candied ginger, round black olives glossy and plump, a small mound of natural light brown square crackers, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, all arranged symmetrically 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 nicely and hold their shape, making the tree look structured and inviting.
Red Grapes: They add juicy sweetness and vibrant pops of color.
Marcona Almonds: Creamy and crunchy, these nuts introduce a satisfying texture contrast.
Mini Cucumbers: Their crisp, refreshing bites help balance the richness of the cheese and meats.
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: These act as “tree branches” and infuse subtle piney notes that feel festive.
Salami: Folded slices bring savory depth and a meaty element that's crowd-pleasing.
Fresh Raspberries: Tart and sweet, they add bright color and a juicy burst.
Candied Ginger: A surprising sparkle that’s sweet with just a hint of zing, like little ornaments on the tree.
Crackers: They’re a perfect base and palette cleanser between bites.
Olives: Their salty tang and round shapes mimic Christmas tree ornaments perfectly.
Honey: Served on the side for a touch of sweetness to drizzle over cheese or fruit if you like.

📝

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 thing I love about the Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to match your taste or what’s on hand. Don’t feel pressured to stick exactly to the ingredients—this can be a fun way to explore your favorite flavors and textures.

Variation: For a vegetarian version, swap salami with roasted red pepper strips or marinated artichoke hearts—they add a great savory touch.
Seasonal Twist: Swap raspberries for pomegranate seeds in winter for a bright ruby-red addition that’s equally festive.
Kid-Friendly: Use milder cheeses and add apple slices or dried cranberries for a sweet treat that little ones will enjoy.
Difficulty Level: If you’re short on time, you can skip the string method and lay out the ingredients in a freeform tree shape—it still looks fantastic!

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

Step 1: Prep Your Board and Outline the Tree

Start with a large board—mine’s a wooden one about 18 inches across with a metal rim. I like using string to map out the tree’s shape because it helps keep everything neat and tidy. Use painter’s tape or another gentle tape to secure the string into an even triangle on your board. This step really helps your layers stand out and avoid wobbling.

Step 2: Layer the Base with Crackers and Cheese

Place a row of crackers along the bottom edge of the triangle, creating the base of your “tree.” Next, add sticks or cubes of your chosen semi-hard cheeses right above the crackers. This sturdy, tasty base gets your tree off to a strong start.

Step 3: Build Up with Grapes and Cucumbers

Above the cheese, add a layer of red grapes that bring a juicy sweetness. Follow that with two rows of sliced mini cucumbers—to add crunch and freshness, plus a pretty pale green contrast.

Step 4: Add Nuts, Berries, and More Cheese

Next up are marcona almonds, which you can mound slightly to fill gaps and add a creamy crunch. Then layer fresh raspberries, followed by another pile of cubed cheese to keep the tree looking full and inviting.

Step 5: Salami, Crackers, and Festive Finishing Touches

Fold slices of salami next—you want them to look like little ribbons or branches. Add more crackers on top to fill in where needed. Then trim some cheese into stars or snowflakes to crown the tree. Scatter candied ginger pieces throughout for sparkle and wedge rosemary sprigs between layers—it’s like decorating the greenery! Don’t forget to tuck in a few olives for “ornaments.”

When you’re done, carefully peel off the string to reveal your perfect tree shape. Serve the board with honey on the side for anyone wanting a little extra sweetness.

Top Tip

Making the Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe has taught me that a little planning goes a long way. Here are some tips that’ll save you time and keep your board looking flawless:

Use Fresh, Firm Ingredients: Firmer grapes and cucumbers hold their shape better and won’t get lost in the layers.
Prep Everything in Advance: Slice your cheeses and cucumbers ahead so you’re not rushing when assembling.
Don’t Overcrowd: Leave a little space between items to keep the tree looking neat and avoid muddled flavors.
Be Gentle Removing the String: Pull slowly and make sure none of the edges get disturbed to keep your shape intact.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnishes, I love sticking with fresh rosemary sprigs and candied ginger—they add visual sparkle and layers of flavor. The olives scattered throughout look like little ornaments and provide a salty counterpoint. Fresh herbs like thyme or edible flowers can also add a seasonal touch if you want to jazz it up even more.

Side Dishes

Pair the board with a warm mulled wine or sparkling cider and a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette. Soft breads or a few hearty crackers on the side are great, especially if your guests want to build their own bites.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged mini fairy lights around the edges of the board, and it created a cozy, twinkling effect that guests couldn’t stop admiring. You can also place the board on a festive fabric runner or wooden slab for extra rustic charm. Adding a small sprig or two of holly or pine cones nearby completes the Christmas vibe beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers from this board store best when you separate the components. Wrap cheese tightly in parchment paper and store grapes and raspberries in breathable containers (berries last only a day or two) in the fridge. Crackers keep best in an airtight container away from moisture. Salami can be wrapped and refrigerated for several days.

Freezing

I usually don’t freeze anything from a charcuterie board because fresh fruit and cheese textures change after thawing. However, you can freeze salami slices in a freezer bag for up to a month, then thaw in the fridge before using.

Reheating

Since this recipe is mostly served cold or room temperature, there’s no real need to reheat. If you want to warm up any crackers or nuts, do so briefly in a low oven to keep them crisp before serving leftovers again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute different cheeses in the Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe?

Absolutely! Choose semi-hard cheeses that hold their shape well like gouda, havarti, or even a mild cheddar. Just make sure the cheese isn’t too crumbly or soft, as you want it to stack nicely and keep the tree shape.

What’s the best way to make sure the tree shape holds together?

Using the string to outline a triangle and taping it down really helps keep the matrix of different ingredients in place as you layer. Also, adding items in rows from crackers at the base going up helps create a stable structure. Take care when removing the string—slow and steady wins here!

Can I prepare this board in advance?

You can prep most ingredients a day ahead—slice cheese, wash and slice cucumbers, and arrange nuts and fruit in containers. However, I recommend assembling the board on the day you plan to serve it to keep fresh items crisp and looking their best.

What should I serve alongside this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe?

I love pairing it with warm drinks like mulled wine or spiced cider, plus a simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette. Some fresh baguette slices or extra crackers help round out the snacking experience perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. It’s such a joyful way to showcase seasonal flavors and impress guests without a ton of fuss. Whether you’re a charcuterie newbie or an avid enthusiast, I promise you’ll enjoy the process and the delicious results. So gather your favorite bites, shape your festive tree, and make your holiday spread shine this year!