With December now here, something magical happens around the dining table. Crackers pop, glasses clink, and conversation flows - but the star of nearly every Christmas gathering? A beautifully styled cheese board. It’s indulgent, social, seasonal, and one of the easiest ways to feed guests without stress. Whether you’re hosting Christmas Eve drinks, Boxing Day family visits, or the annual New Year’s party, a cheese board becomes the centrepiece everyone gravitates towards.
But here’s the part many people Google every December:
What cheeses should I include on a Christmas cheese board?
Which cheese knife is used for what?
How do I serve cheese correctly for guests?
You’re in the right place.
At Mash + Mint, we’ve curated timeless cheese boards, cutlery and cheese knife sets designed not just for serving but for celebrating.
This guide will help you choose the right cheeses, understand cheese knife types, learn how to use cheese cutlery, and create a Christmas cheeseboard guests will remember long after the decorations are put away.
Why Cheese Boards Shine During Christmas Gatherings
A festive cheese board ticks every hosting box - easy, versatile, luxurious and visually stunning. Unlike a plated meal, guests graze at their own pace, pairing flavours, chatting, sipping wine, and returning for more. For hosts, it’s low-pressure. Prepare it in advance, style beautifully, and let it do the work while you enjoy your evening (the way entertaining should be).
Searches like "How do you prepare a cheese board for Christmas?" increase rapidly in December. The key is balance: a mix of textures, milk types, strengths and flavours, matched with seasonal extras that feel deliciously winter-rich.
The Best Cheeses for a Christmas Cheese Board
Aim for 5 main cheeses covering soft, hard, blue, aged and something fun:
✦ Soft & Creamy
Think Brie or Camembert - always a crowd-pleaser. Soft cheeses bring richness and pair beautifully with cranberry compote or honey. Serve at room temperature so it melts onto the cracker.
✦ Hard & Sharp
Cheddar, Manchego or a mature Gouda adds depth. Hard cheeses slice cleanly and bring structure to the board.
✦ Blue Cheese
Gorgonzola, Stilton or Roquefort bring festive decadence. Blue cheese is a seasonal favourite and pairs surprisingly well with pears, walnuts and port.
✦ Aged or Crumbly
Red Leicester, aged Manchego or Wensleydale (especially cranberry for Christmas flair). Perfect for those who enjoy something robust but not overpowering.
✦ Something Unexpected
Truffled cheese, smoky cheddar, chilli cheese or even a goat’s log rolled in herbs. A talking point cheese always sparks conversation.
The Art of Cheese Cutlery - What Knife Does What?
Do you really need different cheese knives?
If you want clean cuts, no crumbling mess, and the right finish for each cheese - yes. Each knife is designed with shape, flexibility and purpose in mind. Here’s a simple breakdown for confident serving:
1. Soft Cheese Knife (with holes or narrow blade)
Best for: Brie, Camembert, soft goats cheese
Why: The holes stop cheese sticking to the blade, giving smooth, clean slices.
2. Hard Cheese Knife (sturdy, sharp, pointed tip)
Best for: Cheddar, Gouda, Red Leicester
Why: Strong enough to push through harder textures without resisting or splitting.
3. Cheese Chisel / Cleaver
Best for: Firm or aged cheeses
Why: Wide blade allows you to push downward and portion chunks perfectly for sharing boards.
4. Parmesan Knife (small, pointed, tear-drop shape)
Best for: Parmesan, aged pecorino
Why: Designed to break off rustic shards rather than slice. This gives bite-sized pieces with lots of texture.
5. Cheese Fork
Best for: Stability while cutting or lifting cheese to a board
Why: Allows elegant serving without fingers on food - host approved!
6. Spreader Knife
Best for: Cream cheese, soft blue, pâté, chutney
Why: Perfect for spreading onto biscuits or bread without tearing.
Our Mash + Mint cheese knife sets bundle these tools beautifully - thoughtfully designed, timeless in look, and perfect for festive gifting or your own table this Christmas.
Cutlery & Serving Tips for a Stress-Free Festive Cheese Board
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Use separate knives for each cheese (no one enjoys blue cheese in their Brie!).
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Provide small cheese plates so guests can build their own tasting selection.
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Serve with seasonal extras - the magic is in the accompaniments.
Pairings that never fail:
| Cheese Type | Best Pairings |
|---|---|
| Brie/Soft | Fresh figs, honey, prosciutto |
| Cheddar/Hard | Grapes, chutney, crackers |
| Blue Cheese | Pear slices, walnuts, port |
| Goat’s Cheese | Beetroot relish, rosemary crackers |
| Truffle Cheese | Prosciutto, olives, champagne |
Christmas Hosting - What to Put Out for Guests
A cheese board is more than cheese. To make it festive and generous, add:
Crackers & artisan breads
Nuts (caramelised walnuts are heavenly)
Fresh fruit - grapes, figs, pears
Dried fruit - apricots, cranberries
Olives, cornichons, antipasti
Chutney & relishes
Honey drizzle
A sprig of rosemary or fresh thyme for scent and style
Arrange loosely, let colours stand out, and create height using stacked crackers or whole fruits - the board should feel luxurious and abundant, never too neat.
Why Choose Mash + Mint for Your Cheese Boards & Cutlery?
Our collection is carefully curated to bring style, quality and personality to your festive table. These pieces aren’t just seasonal - they’re designed to be used all year round for picnics, birthdays, Friday-night wine rituals and family dinners. A Mash + Mint board becomes part of your home ritual, not just a December purchase.
Accessible luxury. Thoughtful design. Made for moments together.
https://mashandmint.co.uk/collections/cutlery
In Search of the Perfect Christmas Gift?
Cheese boards and knife sets make effortless, impressive gifts for:
Hosts and dinner-party lovers
Foodies and cheese enthusiasts
Newlyweds or new homeowners
Corporate or client gifting
Secret Santa with style
Wrap with ribbon, pair with artisan cheese or a bottle of wine - and you’ve gifted an experience, not just a product.
This Christmas, bring people together with good food, slow grazing and conversation that lingers long after the last slice is taken. A festive cheese board from Mash + Mint sets the scene - warm, welcoming, memorable.
