One of my favorite parts about Charcuterie Boards is how seasonal and customizable they can be, while still always using the same core ingredients.

Leaning into the seasonality of your ingredients, gathering inspiration based on the time of year and basing a board off of a theme (who doesn't love a theme!), are great ways to keep your boards fun and fresh.

Along with the freshness that a theme can bring, you can also create varying visual interest, play with seasonal flavors, and have endless reasons to gather your loved ones together. Whether you’re hosting a cozy winter family night in or a sunny summer soirée, there’s a charcuterie theme idea that can help elevate your gathering. Food that doubles as party decor, yes please!

Here are 12 charcuterie theme ideas, one for every month of the year, plus what to include in each!

January – Cozy Winter Comfort

After the holidays, gatherings should feel relaxed and intimate. Maybe you throw a vision board making party or a cozy movie night in with your friends, either way, stick to the hearty flavors and deep colors.

Include:

• Hard, aged cheeses that crumble well

• Baked brie for a warm tone

• Finocchiona - I eat this fennel sausage daily... but January pairs perfectly with it

• Warm spiced nuts (my favorite is rosemary, maple syrup pecans!)

• Dark chocolate - duh!

• Dried figs and apricots. Apricots will help add a pop of bright color while sticking to the darker theme

• Rustic bread - tear instead of slice for a more rustic look

Vibe: Fireside comfort, couch cuddles, slow evenings.

February – Romantic Reds

Perfect for date nights, Galentine’s, or Valentine’s gatherings. Lean into the RED! This month was made for Charcuterie, let's be real.

Include:

• Strawberries, pomegranate seeds and raspberries

• Heart-shaped cheeses - I love cutting a heart into the top of a brie wheel but you can also use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out other harder cheeses as well

• Salami roses - check out my video here on how to make the perfect rose

• Dark chocolate truffles - dark chocolate ANYTHING! It's Valentines!

• Pink macarons or candies

• Decorate with roses in a vase or chop the top off and use as decor on the platter

Vibe: Romantic, perfect for mocktail pairings. Keep it playful yet elegant.

March – Fresh & Green

As spring approaches, it is time to start lighten things up. Think lighter colors, edible flowers, softer cheeses, etc.

Include:

• Herb-coated cheeses - my favorite would be herb coated goat cheese, yum!

• Burrata Cheese - this is the start of Burrata season, finally!

• Green grapes to add spring brightness into a board

• Celery and Purple Cauliflower for pops of spring colors

• Marinated olives and cornichons - yes, you can use these all year but the green with spring... a beautiful pair

• Pistachios - make the switch from the hearty coated nuts to lighter options

• Crisp crackers - think light and fluffy crackers like cheese crisps or almond crackers

Vibe: Fresh & bright with the feeling of renewal.

April – Spring Garden

Celebrate the flower blooms and new beginnings for the year ahead. Spring is my favorite season for a charcuterie board because of the bright, fun colors that come along with it. Consider throwing a flower bouquet making party and pair it with a spread.

Include:

• Edible flowers - you can pick these yourself or pick up a package from Whole Foods

• Fresh berries bring them on! Strawberries, green grapes, blueberries, mix and match based on what is freshest.

• Soft cheeses like goat and sharp cheddar

• Alp Blossom Cheese - from Austria and coated in little dried flowers, perfect for spring!

• Sugar snap peas - bright greens are back

• Honey drizzle - local honey is the best :)

• Tea-style finger bites - tea sandwiches or pinwheels really pop in a spread

Vibe: Soft, bright and floral. Spring has sprung!

May – Mother’s Day Brunch

Who says that Brunch cannot be considered a charcuterie board? Let's swap out some of the meats and bread for avocado toasts and waffles!

Include:

• Mini pastries because they are adorable

• Waffles with a waffle station where everyone can add their own toppings

• Fresh fruit tray with all the bright colors and flavors

• Yogurt-covered pretzels - Trader Joes has quite a few seasonal yogurt covered bite options

• Spreadable cheese for dips or toasts

• Raw Asparagus Salad on top of whipped feta cheese - yes, you heard that right

• Prosciutto to top toasts or wrap up cheese slices with

Vibe: Feminine, slow morning and brunch-ready.

June – Summer Kickoff

Welcome all the warm-weather gatherings.

Include:

• Watermelon cubes, fresh mozzarella balls and basil leaves for a charcuterie summer salad idea

• Capicola - Spicy and flavorful meat that adds a brightness to the summer boards

• Aged Gouda is the perfect summer cheese

• Pickled Okra or Green Beans - gives a tangy crunch

• Bright citrus accents - bring on the oranges!

Vibe: Fresh, colorful, picnic-inspired. Think Farmers Market styled ingredients

July – Red, White & Blue

Carry many of the same ingredients from June into July but add some more reds and blues for the holiday.

Include:

• Strawberries and blueberries are a must

• White cheddar cubes - cut them yourself

• Peaches & Nectarines (sliced) - Sweet stone fruit adds so much flavor and color

• Cherry tomatoes - best when they have been sautéed in garlic and olive oil and served on a toasted baguette with a lemon-whipped ricotta - Chef's Kiss!

• Patriotic candy accents

Vibe: Festive and crowd-friendly.

August – Farmers Market

Peak-season produce shines here. Lean into the flavors and get creative by going beyond just the meat and cheese boards

Include:

• Heirloom tomatoes - sliced into a caprese salad, mixed into a cucumber salad or make a homemade salsa!

• Fresh peaches - this is their season, let them shine!

• Halloumi Cheese - grill it up and stack it into a salad, onto a toasted baguette or get creative. This adds an unique, savory flavor.

• Local honey - try to find raw honey if you can, it looks great on a board but it also tastes the best

• Artisan breads - time to pull out those sourdoughs!

Vibe: Local, seasonal, abundant.

September – Fall Cozy

Early fall gatherings return and we start to lean away from the bright colors of the summer and into the yellows, oranges and plums of the fall.

Include:

• Sharp cheddar - a classic and simple fall flavor

• Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola, Stilton) - adds a pungent flavor and creamy texture with dark color accents

• Apples and pears - soak slices in a bowl of cold water with lemon juice to keep them from browning quickly

• Caramel dip - pairs great with the apples

• Roasted & Salted nuts

• Rich Salami logs that need to be hand sliced

Vibe: Crisp air and cozy layers.

October – Spooky & Sweet

Halloween parties, spooky decor, pumpkin flavors and darker flavors -- yes, yes, YES!

Include:

• Blackberries and dark grapes - switching back to the darker fruits for a moody board

• Figs - it is about time we bring these out! They are not only delicious but they are perfect for added decor

• Orange cheddar cubes - dark orange cheese for the pop of color

• Boursin Cheese - I love wrapping these in plastic wrap and shaping them into pumpkins!

• Cured Chorizo - Spicy and smoky, perfect for the colder days

• Pumpkin Hummus - or really anything pumpkin flavored

• Chocolate-dipped treats

• Themed candies like colored M&M's

Vibe: Spooky, dark and heavy on the seasonal theme.

November – Thanksgiving Inspired

Gathering are ramping up and everyone has a charcuterie board on their menu. Let's lean back into the fall colors, leave the spookiness behind and think rich yellows, cranberries and pops of red.

Include:

• Dried Cranberry or Raisins based on preference

• Sage or fig crackers - Trader Joes has great options for these

• Brie or camembert cheese wedges - no baking here, keep it cold

• Cinnamon coated cheeses bring the fall flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg to the spread

• Roasted or Pickled Root Vegetables - Carrots, beets, or white beans add a nice tang

• Apple Butter as a sweet dip

• Rustic breads, always really...

Vibe: Warm, rich, and harvest-inspired.

December – Holiday Luxe

End the year with sparkle and all the decor. There are so many good Christmas or Holiday themed boards out there including dessert boards, candy spreads, you name it!

Include:

• Gold-wrapped chocolates for decor

• Pomegranate seeds - always a fav and a perfect color accent

• Aged cheeses - goudas, cheddars, parmesan, think rich and deep flavors

• Pâté or Rillettes - Rich and spreadable

• Holiday Jams/Preserves - cranberry sauce, fig jam, or cherry preserves for dipping and mixing with various cheese flavors

• Fresh rosemary garnish

Vibe: Elegant and celebratory.

Follow Along for More Grazing Inspiration

At Curated Grazing Co., we share:

• Seasonal charcuterie ideas

• Hosting tips

• Charcuterie How To's

• Behind-the-scenes board and grazing table design

If you love gathering, entertaining, and creating beautiful moments centered around food, you’ll feel right at home here.

👉 Follow along on Instagram for more helpful hosting tips and grazing inspiration.

Because every day deserves a reason to gather.