In this post, I’ll be sharing ideas for a cozy winter wonderland themed grazing table – perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or birthday parties during the holiday season!
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If you’re looking to elevate your festivities this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s post, I’m sharing my tips and tricks for creating a whimsical and delicious grazing table that’s sure to impress your guests.
A few years ago, I hosted a very Winter Wonderland inspired 31st birthday party for myself and focused on creating a warm and inviting vibe for all my closest friends and family to enjoy. I really wanted the night to feel easygoing and relaxed, so in place of a formal sit down dinner or buffet style setup, I decided to put together a large grazing table full of yummy treats and small bites paired with decorative touches like snowflakes, florals, and tealight candles for a cozy glow.
For more hosting inspo and ideas, check out my Party Planning series – where I virtually plan themed events and bundle them up into a perfectly packaged blog post to inspire your next gathering.
From assembling the table and picking out tasty treats, to decorating it with festive touches and making sure everything looks perfect, this guide has everything you need to know to create the ultimate winter grazing table.
Winter Wonderland Themed Grazing Table
The Food
When planning your shopping list for a large grazing table, focus on crowd pleasing foods that combine well while also offering a nice variety of flavors and textures. I enjoy mixing salty and sweet so what I did was split the table down the middle and created a salty side, and a sweet side.
Salty Side:
– assorted cheeses (you want a combination of hard, medium, and soft)
– assorted meats (prosciutto, salami, chorizo, sopressata, etc.)
– fresh veggies (cucumbers and mini peppers are great for dipping)
– spreadables and dips (hummus, tzatziki, queso, spinach artichoke, olive tapenades, etc.)
– fresh fruit (strawberries, grapes, berries, cherries, figs, pomegranate seeds, and citrus cut in halves or quarters to double up as decor)
– starchy items (crackers, baguettes, pita chips, breadsticks, pretzels, etc. + consider adding some herb-infused olive oil or tomato bruschetta to pair with sliced breads)
– small fillers (olives, mixed nuts, and dried fruit)
– mini meatballs (these are easy to make in advance and can be served on skewers so they are easy to grab on the go)
– jams, preserves, and honey (although these are technically sweet, I like to place them near salty items as they pair well with many of the cheeses and dry meats)
Sweet Side:
– caramel popcorn
– chocolate covered nuts
– wafer cookies
– mini cupcakes
– assorted cookies (I like to browse the grocery store holiday sections for any specialty items like gingerbread, cranberry, or other festive flavors)
– chocolate covered pretzels
– rock candy sticks (place these in jars for added height throughout the table)
– mini cinnamon buns
– donut hole tower (made with a foam cone covered in plastic wrap and wooden skewers to arrange the donuts, then finished with a dusting of powdered sugar)
– a self-decorated grocery store cake (click here to read about my lazy girl hostess cake hack!)
The Presentation
For large grazing tables, I highly suggest skipping the wooden cutting board altogether and laying down a long piece of food grade kraft paper. I decided to use one long piece down the center of the table, but you can completely cover the entire surface by taping a few rows of paper together. This will depend on the amount of food you’ll be serving. Just be sure to precut any hard cheeses to avoid damaging the table. If you want to set out a few whole pieces of cheese that aren’t precut, you can always place them on small cutting boards, trays, or designated cheese slicers.
After the paper is down, I like to add some gathered fabric in a wave or zig zag formation. You can use a table runner or a simple cut of 1-2 yards of fabric in a color or pattern that compliments your decor. This extra layer of texture also adds movement and more visual interest to the table.
Create a variety of heights, angles, and shapes using assorted bowls and platters to add depth and dimension to your display. Use taller items like cake stands, floral arrangements, or decorative cone trees in the center of the table to anchor the rest of the items and create a strong focal point.
Some quick table styling tips:
– Start with the center and work your way around towards the edges. Go from placing the tallest items in the center to the smallest items around the perimeter.
– Strategically place items so that no two things that are next to each other are too similar in size, shape, or color.
– Don’t be afraid to overlap ingredients, lean things on each other, or go overboard – this tends to look best with a “more is more” approach.
The Finishing Touches
For a winter wonderland themed grazing board, you can’t go wrong with scattered decorative snowflakes and babys breath flowers tucked into the different layers of foods and objects. Don’t skip out on adding tealight candles or wired fairy string lights. This will create a gorgeous warm glow and help illuminate the different elements on the table beautifully, especially if you use reflective materials like hammered brass or crystal. Small sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and fresh herbs always add a pop of color and evoke a festive feel.
I usually don’t label items on my charcuterie boards and instead make sure I know what types of cheeses and meats I’ve placed on the board in case someone asks for dietary purposes or just out of curiosity. However, for a more elaborate grazing table, consider adding labels to any items that may contain common allergens like nuts or dairy. This will provide some peace of mind, especially if you’re hosting a larger gathering.
SHOP THIS POST: kraft paper roll | fabric table runner | assorted cake stands | gold hammered bowls | tea light candles | glittery snowflakes | wired fairy string lights | balloon arch kit | hanging snowflake backdrop | string light curtain with copper crescent moons | white mini bauble ornaments | gold pinecones | decorative cone trees | food label flags | marble cheese slicer | cheese knives
SHOP ALL CHARCUTERIE BOARD + GRAZING TABLE FAVORITES
Whether you’re a seasoned entertainer or new to hosting, I hope this guide helped inspire you to create a visually stunning and delicious grazing table this holiday season.
If planning is your jam, check out The Perfect Gatherings Digital Party Planner and keep all of your party plans, tasks, to-do lists, and more… organized in one easy-to-access digital file!
If you like this content, check out these posts below!
– Sips & Dips Holiday Themed Party
– Charcuterie Board 101: My Tips, Tricks, and Shopping List
– Grocery Store Cake Makeover – last minute lazy party hack
Xx- Laura
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