Christmas Entertaining : How to build a festive grazing platter everyone will love

There’s something magical about Christmas entertaining. The twinkling lights, the scent of pine and cinnamon, the hum of conversation. The season is all about gatherings filled with warmth and good food. And when it comes to feeding a crowd without spending the entire day in the kitchen, nothing beats a beautifully curated grazing platter.

A grazing platter is more than just food on a board. It’s an edible centrepiece, a conversation starter, and a stress-free way to keep guests happy. Whether you’re hosting a cosy family gathering or a full-blown festive bash, here’s how to build a Christmas grazing platter that feels abundant, joyful, and irresistibly snackable.

Why Grazing Platters are Perfect for Christmas

It’s effortless entertaining, no last-minute cooking or complicated timing. Prep ahead and relax.

There’s something for everyone, from picky eaters to foodies, a well-balanced board caters to all tastes.

Festive and beautiful, your platter can become part of the décor!

Whatever the time, a sharing platter can work for brunch, afternoon drinks, or a late-night nibble session.

Start with the Foundations

Every great grazing platter begins with a few key building blocks. A Large Board or Surface is essential. Wooden boards, marble slabs, baking trays, or even a clean table lined with parchment all work. We love our round platter to create a wreath like combo of delicious treats. Pick one like ours up online from Bowley & Jackson.

Small Bowls and Ramekins

Use these for dips, olives, nuts, or anything that might roll away. They also add height and structure. But most importantly they’ll be perfect for you bread dippers!

Pick up our hand-crafted stoneware bowls exclusively in our web shop.

Choose a Festive Mix of Foods

Think variety, colour, and balance. Aim for a mix of savoury, sweet, soft, crunchy, and fresh. Alongside some fresh bread and dipping oils we like to add local charcuterie from Wildmans, a range of artisan cheese from both Shepherds Purse and Cryer & Stott, and crackers from Sawley Kitchen.

We fill in the spaces with figs, oranges, grapes, olives and walnuts. And garnish with fresh sprigs of rosemary for a wonderful scent and a festive wreath style.

Assemble with Intention

Here’s where the magic happens. Place the bowls first, creating the base structure to your board. Add the cheeses, sliced, crumbled or in bite sized pieces. Then layer in the meats, create folds, ribbons, or rosettes for visual interest.

Fill in larger gaps with crackers and bread then fill in your spaces with your fruits and nuts. Let them spill naturally, filling the board with colour and texture. Finally, garnish with rosemary or sage, or even a dusting of pomegranate seeds to add festive flair.

Keep it Easy and Enjoy the Moment

The best part of a grazing platter is that it frees you up to actually enjoy your guests. Top up items as needed, but don’t fuss. Christmas entertaining is about connection, laughter, and shared moments, not perfection.

A Christmas grazing platter is the ultimate blend of style and simplicity. With a little planning and a lot of creativity, you can create a festive spread that feels luxurious without the stress. Pile it high, mix flavours boldly, and let your guests graze the night, or day away!

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