Santa's Beard and Hat

I'll never forget the year my sister suggested we skip the traditional appetizers and instead create something that looked like it jumped right out of a storybook. We'd been standing in the kitchen on Christmas Eve, slightly overwhelmed by the usual party prep, when she pulled up this image of a Santa-shaped charcuterie board. Within minutes, we were laughing, sketching on paper towels, and realizing we could make something absolutely magical with nothing but cheese, cured meats, and a little imagination. That board became the star of our holiday gathering—guests were almost too charmed to eat it.

I still picture my nephew's face when he first saw the board—he actually gasped and shouted "It's Santa!" before carefully selecting a piece of brie from the beard. That moment reminded me that the best dishes aren't just about flavor; they're about creating memories and joy around the table. This board has a way of bringing out the kid in everyone.

Ingredients

• Brie Cheese (200g): This is your creamy anchor—slice it just before assembling so it stays fresh and doesn't dry out. The soft, buttery texture is what makes the beard feel luxurious.
• Goat Cheese (200g, crumbled): The tanginess adds complexity and mimics the texture of fluffy whiskers. I learned to buy it already crumbled to save myself a messy task.
• White Cheddar (150g, cubed): These little golden-white cubes catch the light beautifully and add a sharper flavor that keeps your palate interested.
• Mozzarella Balls—Bocconcini (150g, halved): Fresh is key here. Their mild flavor and delicate texture work like tiny pillows in the beard arrangement.
• Cream Cheese (100g, shaped into balls): This is optional but worth it—rolling them into small spheres adds dimension and makes the beard look fuller and fluffier.
• Assorted White Crackers (200g): Rice crackers, water crackers, or even saltines work beautifully. They frame the beard and give guests something to scoop with.
• Genoa Salami (150g, sliced): This is the jewel of your hat—its deep red color and subtle garlic notes make it unmistakably festive.
• Prosciutto (100g, rolled): Rolling it creates height and texture variation in the hat. The delicate, salty flavor is pure elegance.
• Pepperoni (100g, slices): These little discs of spice are what make the hat pop. Don't skip them—they're the personality of this board.
• Roasted Red Bell Peppers (2 large, sliced into strips): Fresh from a jar is perfectly fine. These add sweetness and softness that balances the salty meats.
• Cherry Tomatoes or Mini Red Peppers (1 cup): These are your accent gems—they make the hat look bright and festive, like tiny ornaments.
• Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: These aren't just for looks; they whisper holiday scents and create a frame that guides the eye beautifully.
• Black Olive (1 whole): This is the pom-pom at the very tip of the hat—it's your final whimsical touch that makes people smile.

Instructions

Sketch Your Vision:

Before you place anything on the board, take a moment to visualize where the hat (top triangle) and beard (rounded bottom) will live. I like to lightly imagine the lines with my finger—it takes thirty seconds and prevents any "what was I thinking" moments.

Build the Fluffy Beard:

Start filling that bottom rounded section with your white cheeses. Arrange the brie slices first, overlapping them slightly like you're creating something soft and inviting. Then scatter the goat cheese crumbles generously—this is where you build that authentically tousled beard texture. Tuck in the cheddar cubes and mozzarella halves, then nestle those cream cheese balls throughout. Stand back and see how it looks. You want it to feel abundant and a little wild, like Santa's been out in the snow.

Frame the Beard with Crackers:

Create a border of crackers around the base and sides of the beard. This isn't just practical; it's your way of saying "the beard ends here." The crackers become little stepping stones that guide people toward the cheeses.

Crown the Board with the Hat:

Move to that triangle at the top. Layer your sliced salami and pepperoni, overlapping them like roof shingles. Don't be shy—this is the showpiece. The overlapping creates dimension and that rich red color everyone remembers. Weave in your rolled prosciutto and drape the red pepper strips across to add brightness and prevent everything from looking too heavy.

Scatter the Joy:

Place your cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers around the hat, especially clustering them toward the tip. These little pops of bright red look like magical garnish and taste like little bursts of sweet relief.

Add the Festive Frame:

Arrange fresh rosemary sprigs around the edges of both the hat and beard. Tuck them in like you're framing a portrait. The green against the reds and whites is perfection, and your guests will lean in to smell them.

Crown Your Creation:

Finally, place that single black olive right at the tip of the hat, like Santa's pom-pom. This tiny detail is what transforms a beautiful cheese board into Santa himself.

Serve with Joy:

Place small cheese knives nearby and set out small plates for guests. The beauty of this board is that you can replenish it throughout your gathering without it ever looking neglected—just keep watching those white cheese sections and refresh as needed.

Save

What strikes me most about this board is how it transforms ordinary appetizers into storytelling. I watched my grandmother stand in front of it, pointing out details to my youngest cousin, telling him about Santa and his beard, and suddenly a cheese board became a moment of connection and wonder. That's the real magic here.

Building Your Perfect Board

The secret to a board that looks professionally styled but feels homemade is understanding that balance is about contrast—soft against firm, salty against creamy, bright colors anchoring neutral tones. When I first made this board, I was terrified it would look chaotic, but I learned that Santa himself is a little chaotic and whimsical, and that's exactly what makes him beloved. Trust your instincts with placement. If something feels off, move it. The cheeses won't judge, and the pepperoni is endlessly forgiving.

Customizing for Your Crowd

One of the greatest gifts of a charcuterie board is how it adapts to your family's tastes and dietary needs. If you're serving vegetarian guests, the board becomes even more visually stunning—skip the cured meats and double down on colorful additions like roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and red-hued cheeses like Red Leicester or Gouda. The hat becomes a gorgeous red and green masterpiece of roasted vegetables and peppers. I've also swapped in gluten-free crackers without losing a single smile from my guests, and I once used dairy-free cheese alternatives for a friend—the board was just as beautiful and the joy was just as real.

Pairing and Serving Suggestions

Think of this board not as a standalone appetizer but as the opening act of your holiday celebration. Serve it with something light and celebratory—a crisp sparkling wine, a cranberry spritzer (my favorite because the tartness dances with the creamy cheeses), or even a light rosé if you're keeping things elegant. The beauty of having both creamy and salty components is that almost any holiday beverage will find its soulmate on this board. Set it out about fifteen minutes before guests arrive so it reaches that perfect cool-but-not-cold temperature, and don't be surprised if it becomes the conversation starter that sets the tone for your entire gathering.

• Keep small cheese knives and serving tongs nearby so guests know how to help themselves without feeling awkward
• Place a few small plates and cocktail napkins close by—people will want to build little flavor combinations and enjoy them without hands getting messy
• Consider placing this board near your entrance or in the main gathering space where it becomes part of the ambiance, not hidden in the kitchen

Save

This board isn't just food; it's a conversation, a moment, a little bit of magic that sits on your table while people laugh and gather around it. Make it yours, fill it with the cheeses and meats you love, and watch as something beautifully simple becomes the most memorable part of your holiday.

Kitchen Tips & Answers

→ How do I assemble the beard section?

Arrange sliced brie, crumbled goat cheese, cheddar cubes, and halved mozzarella balls on the board’s bottom half. Add cream cheese balls and surround with assorted white crackers for texture.

→ Can I make the board vegetarian?

Yes, omit the cured meats and use roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, and red cheeses like Red Leicester to create a colorful hat alternative.

→ What garnishes enhance the presentation?

Fresh rosemary sprigs outline the hat and beard sections, and a black olive placed at the hat’s tip mimics Santa’s pom-pom.

→ How should the hat be arranged?

Layer Genoa salami, pepperoni, and rolled prosciutto in a triangular shape, adding roasted red pepper strips and cherry tomatoes for bright accents.

→ What pairings complement this board?

Light sparkling wines or cranberry spritzers balance the rich cheeses and cured meats, perfect for festive occasions.