Creating the Perfect Christmas Cheeseboard

After the excitement of Christmas dinner, there's something wonderfully relaxing about settling down with a selection of cheeses, crackers and perhaps a favourite drink.

Although I might prefer to have cheese as the main Christmas centrepiece, but that's just me! More on that off-the-wall idea later.

A Christmas cheeseboard can be as simple or elaborate as you wish.

But choosing the right combination can make it particularly enjoyable.

Start with variety.

A mature Cheddar provides a familiar, full-flavoured option, while a soft cheese such as Brie or Camembert offers a contrasting texture.

Blue cheese enthusiasts might appreciate Stilton, a traditional Christmas favourite.

You could also include a crumbly Lancashire, Cheshire or Wensleydale cheese.

For something different, consider a goat's cheese or a regional speciality from a British artisan producer.

The aim isn't to include as many cheeses as possible.

Three to five carefully chosen varieties are usually sufficient for a modest gathering.

Next, think about accompaniments.

Plain crackers allow the flavours of the cheese to shine, while oatcakes and speciality biscuits provide interesting alternatives.

Chutneys, grapes, apples, pears and nuts can add contrasting flavours and textures.

A fig chutney or traditional onion marmalade can work particularly well with stronger cheeses.

Presentation matters, too.

Arrange the cheeses on a suitable board or platter, allowing enough space for guests to cut portions comfortably.

Provide separate knives where practical, particularly for strongly flavoured varieties.

Cheese is often best enjoyed when it has lost some of its refrigerator chill, but food safety remains important. Put out manageable quantities and return leftovers to appropriate storage promptly.

If you're serving wine, beer or alcohol-free drinks, choose something that complements rather than overwhelms the cheese.

At That's Christmas 365, we think a good cheeseboard is one of the simplest festive pleasures.

It encourages conversation, invites people to try something new and provides a wonderfully sociable conclusion to a Christmas meal.

And there's always room for another small piece of Stilton, or two!