If there’s one centerpiece that defines holiday hosting, it’s the cheese board. It tends to be a gathering spot, is often a conversation starter, can deliciously anchor the sideboard of any Christmas party. It can also have a tendency toward looking busy or haphazard, with so many little nibbles being gathered together.
Enter Chantel Mila, known on TikTok as @mama_mila_. Her recent video showing a handful of easy ways to elevate a holiday cheese tray, has racked up over 12,600 likes from eager hosts looking to impress their guests. In the video, she breaks down five simple tips to take your charcuterie board from basic to breathtaking, making it easy to create a stunning spread.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
5 Tips for a Show-Stopping Board
Mila’s first trick is all about the brie. Instead of just plopping the wheel on the board, she suggests turning it into a festive snowflake. By slicing the wheel into eight wedges and then carefully cutting the ends into diamond shapes, you create a beautiful centerpoint that infuses a holiday feel into the whole presentation.
Next, she tackles the meat. Forget laying slices flat on the board. Mila recommends folding salami slices and skewering them with a toothpick to create miniature “trees.” This adds interest and texture to the board, making it look much more dynamic.
Her third tip is a practical hack for hard cheeses. To avoid uneven cuts, use the tines of a fork to mark the cheese before you slice. This ensures every piece is uniform in thickness, giving your board a polished, professional look.
To create visual interest and keep wet ingredients contained, Mila advises using small bowls for items like olives, dips, or honey. These little vessels act as anchors on the board, breaking up the expanse of meat and cheese.
Finally, she shares the secret to that abundant, overflowing look: fill in the gaps. Once your main items are placed, use nuts and berries to fill every empty space. This eliminates the “bare” look and makes the board feel bountiful and inviting.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
A New Reason to Appreciate Cheese
If you needed another reason to reach for that second slice of Gouda, science has your back. A recent study published in the journal Neurology suggests that enjoying cheese might actually be good for your brain. The research found a correlation between consuming higher-fat cheese and better cognitive health, specifically noting a potential decrease in dementia risk.
While moderation is always key, this news certainly makes the holiday cheese tray feel a little more celebratory and a little less guilty.
Building the Perfect Palette
Beyond the presentation hacks, what actually goes on the board matters. For a well-rounded experience, aim for a mix of textures and flavors. Pair a soft, creamy Brie or Camembert with a sharp, aged Cheddar or Manchego. Add a blue cheese like Gorgonzola for a funky kick, and perhaps a goat cheese log rolled in herbs for freshness.
When it comes to accompaniments, fresh berries like raspberries, blackberries, and grapes provide a sweet, acidic contrast to the rich, salty cheese. For crunch, walnuts, almonds, and pecans are classic choices. As for crackers, variety is your friend. Offer a mix of neutral water crackers (so the cheese shines), sturdy multigrain rounds for heavier toppings, and perhaps some fig or rosemary crisps for added flavor.
@mama_mila_ Save these 5 tricks to make your Christmas cheeseboard the best one yet 🧀 impress your guests with these simple tricks! 1. Cut soft cheese into a snowflake by slicing it into 8 pieces and then creating a diamond at the end of the slices 2. Cut into salami slices then fold them into four. Layer the slices onto a toothpick to create mini trees 3. Use a fork to mark the size of each hard cheese slice so they’re all the same 4. Use bowls to display olives + dips to create visual interest 5. Fill gaps with nuts + berries Hope this was helpful lovelies xx #cheeseboardtutorial #charcuterieboard #christmascheeseboard #homehacks #tipsandtricks ♬ Holly Jolly Christmas – Sarah Reeves
Timing is Everything
One common question hosts have is: “How early can I make this?” You definitely don’t want to be slicing cheese as guests walk in. You can assemble your board a few hours in advance. Hard cheeses and cured meats hold up well. However, cover the entire board tightly with plastic wrap or beeswax wrap to prevent the cheese from drying out and the crackers from getting stale. If you are using very moist ingredients like pickles or cut fruit, consider adding those right before serving to keep everything crisp. Take the board out of the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before serving; cheese tastes best at room temperature, where its full flavor profile is released.
At the end of the day, the perfect cheese board isn’t just about gathering the perfect foods together, it’s about gathering with dear friends. Huddled conversations over a wedge of brie and the shared joy of good food, is truly one of the simple joys of the holidays.
