Santa charcuterie board

Let’s talk about one of my favourite ways to bring the festive spirit onboard a sailing yacht—through food, of course! Now, I’ll admit, videography isn’t quite in my skillset yet (I promise I’m working on it!), but crafting edible masterpieces? That’s totally my jam.

When I stumbled across the idea of a Santa Charcuterie Board, I knew I had to give it a whirl. Because honestly, is there anything more fun than mixing food and holiday vibes? Grazing boards are already a crowd-pleaser, but add a bit of jolly ol’ Saint Nick to the mix, and you’ve got something next-level festive.

The result? A quick & deliciously fun Mr. Claus that doubles as both an appetizer and a conversation starter! Let me walk you through how I made him, with plenty of tips and alternatives to make your own.

How to Build Your Santa Charcuterie Board

What I Used:

• A round of Brie – or Camembert works too!
• Kalamata olives – for his eyes and cheeky little grin.
• Local salami – to create his festive hat.
• Mozzarella ball – for the pom-pom at the tip of his hat.

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese

• Grab your Brie or Camembert and slice about 1 inch off the top. This will leave you with two pieces:

• The round base (without the rind) showing its gooey, golden center.
• The sliced-off top, which will be repurposed into Santa’s beard and facial features.

Step 2: Shape Santa’s Face

From the rind piece you just sliced off:

• Cut a beard: Use one half to create a “beard” for the bottom of his face.
• Cut a rectangle: This will form the brim of his hat and sit across the top of the round.
• Cut a moustache: Shape it into a playful curve for under his nose.
• Cut two small rectangles: These become his eyebrows, placed just above his eyes.

Step 3: Add His Eyes and Mouth

• For the eyes, slice off the ends of two Kalamata olives. Place them shiny-side-up with the little cheese rectangles (eyebrows) above them.
• For the mouth, cut a small sliver of olive and shape it into a subtle smile.

Step 4: Create His Hat

• Fold pieces of salami in half, then in half again, and layer them to form a textured Santa hat.
• Add a mozzarella ball as the pom-pom at the tip. If, like me, you couldn’t find mini mozzarella balls, just cut a larger one in half and place it flat-side down for a rounded effect.

And voilà! Your Santa is ready to spread some edible holiday cheer.

Festive Alternatives

Not feeling olives or salami? No problem! Here are some fun swaps to suit your tastes:

For His Hat:

• Sundried or cherry tomatoes.
• Marinated roasted red peppers.
• Strawberries, red apple slices, or red grapes.
• Prosciutto for a luxurious touch.

For His Eyes and Mouth:

• Blueberries or black/green grapes.
• A dollop of caviar or small black sesame seeds.
• Tiny round dark rye crackers for a rustic look.

Board Fillers to Complete the Festive Vibe:

Make your Santa board extra magical with these Christmassy touches:

• Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs – they look just like mini Christmas trees!
• Mint & Basil leaves – add a refreshing pop of green.
• Use a star-shaped cookie cutter on cheese slices or flatbread for “snowflakes.”
• Scatter shelled pistachios and almonds for earthy, festive tones.
• Add bowls of beetroot hummus or red pepper dip for pops of holiday color.
• Dried orange slices, apricots, or cranberries – for those classic Christmassy feel.
• Arrange cucumber and red pepper strips into a wreath pattern.

There you have it—your very own Santa Charcuterie Board! It’s festive, fun, and guaranteed to wow your guests. Whether you’re hosting on land or at sea, this is the perfect way to bring a little extra holiday magic to your table.

Give it a go, and don’t forget to share your creations with us—We’d love to see your spin on Santa! 🎄🧀

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