Easy Holiday Cheese Platters

Do you love cheese as much as I do??

I lived in Germany for a year as an exchange student and one of my favorite things about the holidays was all the Christmas markets in the town squares.  You could buy delicious chocolate, marzipan, breads, trinkets, and cheese.  The breakfast table in Germany is always covered in cheese, rolls, and marmalade.  It was the best way to start your day.

All my friends know that if I am hosting a gathering, there is going to be a lot of cheese.  So for the holidays I thought you might want to try out your own easy cheese platter that is also child friendly.

You can do as much or little as you wish.  No cheese platter big or small is ever a bad idea.

I really like Trader Joes.  They have a great cheese selection and fun drinks–like the Italian Soda I have in these pictures.  The pecan pralines from Trader Joes is also always a big hit.  I add them to salads, too.  People think I’m crazy, but I am not a big fan of Brie. Nevertheless, a lot of people love it so I make sure I always buy it for my guests and my husband.

Costco is also a great place to shop for cheese and you get great quality and quantity for the price.

Grocery List

Trader Joe’s

Pecan pralines

Double cream brie

french baguette

Boursin cheese

Italian soda

Green olives

Costco

Peppermint bark chocolate

Cranberry cinnamon goat cheese

Cheese platter with assorted cheese (kids love this)

Greek olives

Mediterranean olive salad

grapes

Crackers

Italian dry salame ( cheaper at costco)

There is also a lot of great Brie’s at Costco

Once you’ve purchased everything you need its time for the fun part.  Get out any fun platters or cutting boards and start decorating them to your liking.  I love to buy some butcher paper from the craft store and write down everything I have bought. It’s fun and it helps people know what they are eating.  Another option is buying paper labels or tags.  You can also find those at Michaels or Joann’s craft.  Without labels, I always end up telling everyone all night what types of cheese I bought.  Labeling is super easy and I love the look of this table.

Another great thing about cheese platters–leftovers.  Many cheeses can stay fresh for days, and I love having an easy snack to munch on after the party is over.  Sometimes I will add some vegetables or a green salad.  At this particular party I added desserts.

I also like to try a new cheese when I host.  This time I bought the Cranberry cinnamon goat cheese from Costco, and it did not disappoint. I also tried the Mediterrian olive salad and it was fantastic.

My book club loved everything.

I love hosting and being amongst friends.  This is my favorite time of year and I hope that this will help you put together and easy appetizer for the holidays.

What is your favorite cheese to eat at a party or when you go out for dinner?

Happy Holidays

Holiday entertaining is one of the best parts of this season! Here are a few more ideas to be the hostess with the mostest!