Wine and Cheese Holiday Party: Easy Ideas for a Stylish Affair!

Throwing a wine and cheese party for the first time this holiday season? Our three styled shoots below illustrate the various ways that you can set up and serve a stylish and memorable affair. With some basic tips and even creative tricks, you may just want to host these gatherings all year round!

The Kitchen – Interactive and Fun!

Wine and cheese party in the kitchen for Christmas by Bellenza.

Where?
If you love casual entertaining, the kitchen is the perfect place! Guests can join in on the party prep and interact freely. It’s a great way to break the ice for those meeting each other for the first time.

What to serve?
Present a selection of breads like focaccia, French bread, and mini baguettes to be enjoyed with soft cheeses like brie and herve, and some non-soft ones like gouda and edam. Offer up side items like nuts, fruit jams and marmalades, and honey.

Special touches to add?
Lay out a variety of platters and serving bowls, coupled with rustic elements like wooden boards. Place cheese flags representing the country of origin of the cheeses you are serving; and include shapely decanters for an attractive drinks display.

Bar Cart – Cool and Convenient!

Wine and cheese bar cart for Christmas by Bellenza.

Where?
Using a bar cart is great for small spaces! It’s also perfect for entertaining in your solarium or living room space, since you can move it around as needed.

What to serve?
Think entertaining Sonoma-style with a variety of California wines. As for what cheeses to serve, try Dutch Havarti, Jarlsberg cheese, and Manchego cheese for a European flair. Include sliced pears, Fuji apples, dates, and figs; along with wine crackers, cashews, and bread sticks.

Special touches to add?
Use a minimalistic approach to the presentation with mini square plates atop wooden cutting boards. Sleek Japanese sushi plates add a cool and unconventional look!

Coffee Table – Relaxed and Casual!

Wine and cheese coffee table party by Bellenza.

Where?
Coffee table entertaining presents a relaxed and intimate atmosphere with guests sitting on a comfy couch or floor pillows. Ideal for a wine and cheese affair—right around the collegiate bowl series that typically happens within the New Year season.

What to serve?
Consider Italian cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Fontina, and Provolone. You may also want to serve prosciutto, salami, and capocollo ham; and complete the spread with sides of nuts like pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts.

Special touches to add?
In keeping with the holidays, include decorative cocktail napkins, coasters, and cheese spreaders. Provide wine glass charms to help guests keep track of their glasses. Then surprise them with a set of their own charms to take home as party favors!


Where to Buy?

Here are our favorite wine goodies for planning a holiday wine and cheese party:

Holiday Wine and Cheese Product Picks at Bellenza.

Festive Cheese Sampler – Hickory Farms
California Dreaming Wine Trio – Wine.com
Holiday Pear Gift Box – Harry and David
Multigrain Pita Bite Crackers – Trader Joe’s
Slate Cheese Board – World Market

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