How to Make an Adorable Santa Charcuterie Board for Christmas
The holiday season is all about fun food and festive presentations—and nothing gets more cheerful than a Santa charcuterie board! Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, or surprising your kids with a magical snack tray, this Santa-themed board is guaranteed to steal the show.
With simple ingredients like cheese, fruit, deli meat, and nuts, you can assemble this Christmas grazing board in under 20 minutes. Let’s build it together!
Ingredients for Your Santa Charcuterie Board
- 1 round cheese wheel
- 6–7 pieces cheese pigtail or thin strips of mozzarella string cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- 1 cup blueberries
- 8–10 slices cured meat (ham, beef, turkey, or pepperoni)
- 1–2 cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup green olives
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup dates (optional)
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1 tbsp sliced black olives
- 1 cup grapes
How to Make a Santa Charcuterie Board (Step-by-Step)
- Shape Santa’s Face:
Slice a small piece off the bottom of the cheese wheel to create a flat edge. Place it on your board with the flat side down—this is Santa’s face! - Form the Beard:
Arrange the mozzarella balls beneath the cheese wheel to create a fluffy beard. - Add the Mustache & Hair:
Lay the string cheese strips above the beard for Santa’s mustache and around the top for his hair. Braiding a few pieces adds fun texture! - Give Him a Nose:
Slice a cherry tomato so one side is flat. Press it onto the cheese face. - Build the Hat:
Layer strawberry slices in a triangle above the face. Use a mozzarella ball or a small cheese circle as the pom-pom. - Place the Dip:
Add a small bowl of honey or your dipping sauce near the top or side. - Fill In with Fruits & Olives:
Surround Santa with grapes, blueberries, and green olives to add color and balance. - Make a Deli Meat Rose:
Roll your cured meat slices into a rose shape. Place it next to Santa and add remaining slices beside it. - Add Nuts & Dates:
Use almonds, pistachios, or dates to fill any empty gaps. These crunchy bites make the Santa charcuterie board even more delicious and complete.
Tips for the Best Santa Charcuterie Board
- Use contrasting colors to make Santa’s face stand out.
- Serve with crackers or sliced baguette on the side for dipping.
- Swap ingredients based on allergies or preferences—turkey for ham, raspberries for strawberries, etc.
- Make it kid-friendly or adult-only by adjusting dips (honey vs. spicy mustard or jam!).
Best Boards and Platters to Use
When building a Santa charcuterie board, the presentation is half the magic! You can use almost any flat surface, but here are some great options depending on your style:
- Large wooden cutting boards – Rustic and perfect for farmhouse or cottagecore Christmas themes.
- Round pizza boards – Ideal for centering Santa’s face and hat.
- Marble or slate boards – Sleek, upscale look that helps cold ingredients stay chilled longer.
- Christmas-themed trays or platters – A red or white base makes Santa pop even more.
- Disposable catering trays – Great for parties or school events when cleanup needs to be easy.
Just make sure your surface is food-safe—or line it with parchment, butcher paper, or a large cheese paper sheet if you’re unsure.
How to Make a Santa Meat and Cheese Board Ahead of Time
Good news—this Santa charcuterie board can be prepped in advance!
- The night before:
- Assemble the cheese face, beard, mustache, and hat.
- Wrap the entire face section tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate separately.
- Day of serving:
- Add fresh fruit, olives, nuts, and dip just before presenting so everything looks fresh and juicy.
- Shape and place your meat rose at the very end to keep it from drying out.
If you’re worried about moisture, lay a paper towel under strawberries or olives to keep your cheese from getting soggy.
Budget-Friendly Ingredient Substitutions
Charcuterie doesn’t have to be expensive—there are plenty of swaps to make this Santa charcuterie board wallet-friendly:
| Ingredient | Budget Swap |
|---|---|
| Mozzarella balls | Cut string cheese into chunks |
| Cured meats | Use turkey or ham lunch meat folded into triangles |
| Green olives | Swap for pickles or cucumber slices |
| Pistachios | Use sunflower seeds or pretzels |
| Dates | Replace with raisins or dried cranberries |
| Blueberries | Swap for black grapes or blackberries |
Don’t stress about exact ingredients—focus on red, white, and green colors, and you’ll still get the perfect Santa look!
How to Transport Your Santa Board Without Ruining It
Taking your Santa charcuterie board to a party or school function? Here’s how to keep Santa looking jolly the whole way:
- Assemble it inside a rimmed baking sheet or tray that fits in your fridge and car.
- Wrap loosely with plastic wrap or press-n-seal to hold ingredients in place without crushing them.
- Use toothpicks to anchor lightweight items like the cherry tomato nose or mozzarella pom-pom.
- Transport the dip separately and add it once you arrive to avoid spills.
- Keep cold ingredients chilled by placing a frozen gel pack or chilled sheet pan underneath during the ride.
Once you arrive, remove the wrap, fluff the beard, and he’s party-ready!
A Christmas Appetizer Everyone Will Remember
This Santa charcuterie board is more than just food—it’s a festive centerpiece! Whether you’re entertaining family, creating a holiday snack for the kids, or looking for a show-stopping Christmas party idea, this project is as fun to build as it is to eat.
Santa Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice a small piece off the bottom of the cheese wheel to create a flat edge. Place it on your board with the flat side down—this is Santa’s face!
- Arrange the mozzarella balls beneath the cheese wheel to create a fluffy beard.
- Lay the string cheese strips above the beard for Santa’s mustache and around the top for his hair. Braiding a few pieces adds fun texture!
- Slice a cherry tomato so one side is flat. Press it onto the cheese face.
- Layer strawberry slices in a triangle above the face. Use a mozzarella ball or a small cheese circle as the pom-pom.
- Add a small bowl of honey or your dipping sauce near the top or side.
- Surround Santa with grapes, blueberries, and green olives to add color and balance.
- Roll your cured meat slices into a rose shape. Place it next to Santa and add remaining slices beside it.
- Use almonds, pistachios, or dates to fill any empty gaps. These crunchy bites make the Santa charcuterie board even more delicious and complete.
