Doing the Cheese Course This Christmas Day? How to Create a Beautiful Cheeseboard Without Breaking the Bank

At The Cheese Society, we believe a little thought goes a long way. Here's how to create an affordable, delicious and memorable Christmas cheese course that will keep everyone happy.

1. Choose four or five cheeses with plenty of variety

One of the biggest mistakes people make when putting together a cheeseboard is buying too much cheese. You don't need eight or ten different varieties, particularly after a substantial Christmas dinner. Four or five carefully chosen cheeses will offer plenty of choice without leaving you with an enormous amount of leftovers.

Think about offering a mixture of textures and flavours:

Something blue – Shropshire Blue

A Christmas cheeseboard wouldn't be complete without a blue cheese. Shropshire Blue is a wonderful choice, with its striking orange paste, delicate blue veining and rich, creamy flavour. It has a lovely balance of savoury depth and gentle sweetness, making it approachable for those who enjoy blue cheese without being quite as powerful as some of the stronger varieties.

Serve with oatcakes, a little fruit chutney or some pickled figs. It is also delicious with a glass of Port after Christmas dinner.

Something indulgent – Vacherousse d'Argental

For something wonderfully luxurious, include Vacherousse d'Argental. This soft, washed-rind French cheese has a beautifully rich, buttery texture and a deliciously creamy centre. It brings a touch of decadence to the board and is particularly lovely for those who prefer soft cheeses.

Its velvety texture makes it delicious spread onto a crisp cracker or a slice of crusty bread. Pair with a little quince paste or sweet fruit preserve to complement its rich, savoury character.

Something with character – Isle of Mull Cheddar

A proper farmhouse Cheddar is always a crowd-pleaser, but why not choose something a little different? Isle of Mull Cheddar is made on the beautiful Scottish island of Mull and is renowned for its full-bodied, complex flavour. Its distinctive character develops through traditional cheesemaking and maturation, creating a wonderfully savoury cheese with a lingering finish.

This is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves a strong, mature Cheddar. Serve with apple, chutney or a slice of traditional fruit bread.

Something traditional – Swaledale Traditional

Bring a taste of Yorkshire to your Christmas cheeseboard with Swaledale Traditional. This lovely farmhouse cheese has a fresh, lactic character, a slightly crumbly texture and a gentle savoury tang. It offers something a little lighter alongside the richer cheeses and is a lovely option for those who enjoy traditional British territorial cheeses.

Try it with a crisp apple, a little honey or some traditional crackers.

Something different – Ticklemore

If you want to introduce something a little more unusual, Ticklemore is a beautiful addition. This distinctive British goat's cheese has a fresh, delicate flavour with gentle citrus notes and a lovely firm yet crumbly texture. Its clean, refreshing character provides a welcome contrast to the richer, creamier cheeses on the board.

It is particularly delicious with quince paste, honey or a few fresh grapes.

Our tip: You don't necessarily need all five. Choose four that offer a good balance, depending on your guests and budget. If you know your family loves Cheddar but isn't keen on blue cheese, adjust your selection accordingly. The best cheeseboard is one that gets eaten!

2. Make your cheeseboard feel seasonal

Christmas is the perfect excuse to bring a little festive colour and seasonal flavour to your cheeseboard. You don't need expensive decorations or elaborate arrangements; a few carefully chosen accompaniments can make all the difference.

Here are some of our favourites:

• Fresh figs and grapes: Beautiful on the board, adding natural sweetness and freshness.

• Clementines and pears: Their seasonal fruitiness works wonderfully with mature Cheddar and soft cheeses.

• Pickled green figs: A more unusual sweet-and-sharp accompaniment, particularly delicious with hard cheeses and blue cheese.

• Quince paste: A traditional Spanish favourite that pairs beautifully with Manchego, goat's cheese and mature Cheddar.

• Christmas chutney: A rich fruit chutney brings warmth and sweetness to the cheeseboard.

• Nuts: Walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts add crunch and work particularly well with blue and mature cheeses.

• Cornichons and pickled onions: Something sharp and crunchy is always welcome alongside rich, creamy cheeses.

You can make your board look wonderfully generous without spending much. A handful of grapes, a few slices of pear, some nuts and a small pot of chutney will go a long way.

3. Don't forget the crackers and bread - accompaniments

Good crackers and accompaniments are an important part of any cheeseboard, but it's worth choosing a variety that complements rather than competes with the cheese.

Plain oatcakes are a particularly good choice because their gentle, savoury flavour allows the cheese to shine. For something with a little more character, rosemary crackers work beautifully with creamy cheeses, while traditional fruit bread is a fantastic match for blue cheese and mature Cheddar.

You could also include:

• Crisp artisan crackers.

• Plain oatcake rounds.

• Thin slices of toasted sourdough.

• Traditional Lincolnshire plum bread.

• A little crusty baguette for the softer cheeses.

A small selection is all you need. There's no point filling the table with crackers that nobody gets around to eating!

4. How much cheese should you buy per person?

This is one of the most common Christmas cheeseboard questions, particularly when cheese is being served after a large Christmas dinner.

As a general guide:

• 50–75g per person if serving cheese after a substantial Christmas meal.

• 100–125g per person if cheese is the main event or part of a lighter buffet.

For six people having cheese after Christmas dinner, around 400–450g in total should be plenty, particularly if you're offering four different cheeses and a selection of accompaniments.

Remember, you can always serve a little more if everyone is enjoying it. Any leftovers can be put to good use in a Boxing Day toastie, a creamy pasta sauce or a delicious potato gratin.

5. Take your cheese out of the fridge before serving

This is probably the simplest way to make your Christmas cheeseboard taste even better, and it costs absolutely nothing!

Cheese should generally be brought out of the fridge around 30–60 minutes before serving, depending on the variety and room temperature. This allows the flavours and textures to develop properly.

A cold cheese can taste firmer, less aromatic and less expressive than one served at the right temperature. Soft cheeses such as Vacherousse d'Argental will become beautifully yielding, while mature cheeses such as Isle of Mull Cheddar will reveal more of their complex flavour.

Keep the cheeses covered while they come up to temperature, and don't leave them sitting out for prolonged periods.

6. Make it look beautiful without spending a fortune

You don't need a huge wooden cheeseboard or expensive serving accessories to create something special. A large wooden chopping board, slate or even a simple serving platter will work beautifully.

Start by placing the cheeses around the board, leaving a little space between them. Add small bowls of chutney, quince paste or pickles, then fill the gaps with fruit, nuts and crackers.

A few sprigs of fresh rosemary add a lovely festive touch, while fresh figs, grapes and clementines bring colour and seasonal interest.

Try not to overcrowd the board. Allow each cheese a little room and, if possible, provide a separate knife for each variety, particularly for blue cheese.

7. Don't forget what to drink with your Christmas cheese

The right drink can make a good cheeseboard even better. You don't need to buy a different bottle for every cheese, but a little thought can create some lovely pairings.

• Shropshire Blue: Port, sweet dessert wine or a rich red.

• Vacherousse d'Argental: Champagne or a crisp white wine.

• Isle of Mull Cheddar: Full-bodied red wine, cider or a traditional ale.

• Swaledale Traditional: A crisp white wine or refreshing cider.

• Ticklemore: Sauvignon Blanc or a light, fruity white wine.

And of course, if you've already opened something special for Christmas dinner, there's no reason not to enjoy another glass with your cheese!

The secret to a brilliant Christmas cheeseboard

Ultimately, a wonderful Christmas cheeseboard isn't about how much you spend or how many cheeses you can squeeze onto a platter. It's about choosing a few delicious cheeses, offering a good balance of flavours and textures, and giving everyone something they will enjoy.

Mix a little British farmhouse tradition with an indulgent French soft cheese, add something unusual, include a few seasonal accompaniments and let the cheese do the talking.

At The Cheese Society, we're passionate about helping people discover wonderful cheeses without making it complicated or expensive. Whether you're looking for a traditional Christmas Cheddar, a beautifully creamy soft cheese or something a little different to surprise your guests, you'll find plenty of inspiration in our online cheese shop.

This Christmas, make room for the cheese course. It's rather too good to miss!

Explore our collection of artisan British and continental cheeses at The Cheese Society and find your perfect Christmas cheeseboard favourites.