Housewarming Open House Spread (Printable)

A generous assortment of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and fresh garnishes ideal for elegant gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 9 oz sharp Cheddar, cut into blocks
02 - 9 oz creamy Brie, cut into wedges
03 - 7 oz Manchego, sliced
04 - 7 oz blue cheese, crumbled or in blocks
05 - 7 oz smoked Gouda, cubed

→ Crackers & Breads

06 - 12 oz assorted crackers
07 - 1 baguette, thinly sliced
08 - 5 oz breadsticks

→ Fresh & Dried Fruit

09 - 1 cup red grapes, washed and separated into small clusters
10 - 1 cup green grapes, washed and separated
11 - 2 apples, sliced and tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning
12 - ½ cup dried apricots
13 - ½ cup dried figs

→ Nuts & Condiments

14 - 1 cup roasted almonds
15 - 1 cup walnuts
16 - ½ cup honey
17 - ½ cup fig or apricot jam
18 - ⅓ cup whole grain mustard

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

19 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes
20 - 1 cup baby carrots
21 - Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Place cheese blocks and wedges evenly spaced on a large serving board or platter for easy access.
02 - Fill spaces between cheeses with assorted crackers and thinly sliced baguette.
03 - Nestle clusters of grapes, apple slices, dried apricots, and figs around the cheeses and crackers.
04 - Place small bowls or piles of roasted almonds, walnuts, honey, fig or apricot jam, and whole grain mustard on the board.
05 - Fill remaining gaps with cherry tomatoes and baby carrots for color and freshness.
06 - Decorate with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs to enhance presentation.
07 - Place cheese knives, spreaders, toothpicks, or cocktail forks nearby to facilitate easy self-service.
08 - Replenish items as needed throughout the event to keep the board inviting and abundant.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required—your oven stays cold and your stress stays lower
  • Guests feel cherished when they can choose exactly what they want, exactly when they want it
  • A board this beautiful actually becomes part of your décor, making your space feel intentional and gathered-around
  • It works for any crowd because there's something for every taste and dietary need
02 -
  • Slice your apples at the very last moment and toss them with lemon juice immediately—this is the one thing that will keep your board looking fresh instead of sad after thirty minutes
  • Arrange your board on a larger surface than you think you need; crowding everything together makes it harder for guests to serve themselves and less visually appealing
  • Let your cheeses sit out for at least 15 minutes before the party starts so they soften slightly and flavors come alive—cold, hard cheese tastes like nothing
  • Keep backup crackers and replenishment items in the kitchen, hidden from view, so you can refresh without guests noticing the work behind it
03 -
  • Pair your board with chilled white wine or sparkling wine—something celebratory that matches the feeling of gathering in a new space
  • If you're nervous about the board looking "empty" as people eat, keep a small stash of extra crackers, fruit, and cheese hidden in your kitchen so you can refresh without anyone noticing
  • Arrange everything on your board about 30 minutes before guests arrive—this gives cheeses time to soften slightly and lets you make any last-minute adjustments without stress
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