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An Easy, Fun + Colorful Holiday Hosting Idea (+ a Giveaway!)

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

This post is in partnership with Amara

Are you the Hosting Household for holiday festivities? Every year around this time, the chatter begins amongst our friends about who will be in town (most of us) and who will be down to lounge in pajamas all day and eat pie (yes, please). Often times, we’ll gather in one home on Thanksgiving, and we’ll move to another the following day for leftovers and a movie! Fun fact: One of our very favorite memories in this home was hosting Thanksgiving the same week that our first wave of renovation wrapped up (we literally made a table so that there a place to dine!), and on that Thursday morning, our heat went out and we had a plumbing issue, causing us to lose access to water for hours. I was in tears at the time – while our out-of-town guests helped us to prepare a turkey with no running water in a cold house – but in the end, it all came together in the eleventh hour. It was a comedy of errors, and every year, we say to each other, remember when?

This year, we’ll be heading to a friend’s home, but we know that often times, you may be house hopping or hosting yourself! While that has the potential to feel overwhelming, we wanted to share an easy, fun and colorful idea to host a holiday brunch – a charcuterie board! And by starting earlier in the day, you’re immediately creating a more casual environment with less pressure. We recently gave our theory a test run, and it was everything we wished for – low key, relaxed and delicious. To get our table ready, we were thrilled to team up with Amara, a lifestyle brand with a wide collection of the most gorgeous home wares. Let’s show you what we did! Psst: There’s a giveaway at the end of this post for ya, too!

Creating the Menu

We loved the idea of creating a charcuterie platter menu, which is essentially a glorified meat and cheese plate. Aside from hard boiling a handful of eggs and chopping up our fruits and veggies, there is no cooking involved! We’ve created smaller versions like this for evening cocktails and last minute get-togethers, so all we did was kick it up a notch. We didn’t even begin prepping the food until 2 hours before our guests were set to arrive!

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

For our holiday brunch, we landed on an assortment of salami, prosciutto and ham, salty and mild cheeses, raw fruits and vegetables (peeled carrots, kumato tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, dried apples, grapes and strawberries), creamy hard boiled eggs and an assortment of crusty bread and crackers. To accompany the food, we filled small bowls with brown mustard, spicy jam, hummus and butter. Everything was easily gathered from the produce and deli sections of our local grocery store. We also pulled together a sweeter tray, but more on that in a moment.

Setting the Table

We started by adding this large chopping board as our table’s centerpiece, and we added this adorable reindeer candle holder for holiday shine. These deep green dinner plates won our hearts, and we layered them with smaller cream plates and the prettiest matte gold flatware. We dined with 6 people (including Lucy!), but we love that you could also create a platter for double or triple that and include a stack of small plates for people to grab and mill about.

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick HomeHost the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

Creating a Festive Drink

We mixed up a big batch of a rosy festive drink using equal parts cranberry juice, Fresca and sparkling water (to cut down on the sweetness). Sliced up limes added a tart bite and an additional splash of color!

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

pitcher | tumblers | placemats | napkins | flatware

Playing with textures and patterns

Overall, we chose a neutral palette for our place settings, so that the food could be the star of the show. Even still, we were sure to play with texture and pattern by bringing in basketweave placemats and striped napkins. We layered in marble trays to balance out all the wood tones, and we couldn’t resist tying in these small pink marble dipping bowls for the jams and hummus. To top off the place settings, I cut off sprigs of fresh rosemary; so simple!

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick HomeHost the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick HomeHost the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick HomeHost the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick HomeHost the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

When laying out the food on the tray, we worked from opposite ends so that if you were to split the tray in two, it would essentially be a mirror image. This way everyone had access to the same items, no matter where they were sitting around the table:

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

Making Room for Dessert

Last but not least, we loaded up the larger marble tray with sweet treats! We laid out an assortment of candied pecans, broken chocolate, strawberries and dried fruits, and while we still had leftovers from our charcuterie platter, there was not a speck of dessert wasted at the end of the meal. (Who’s surprised?) Once we were sure everyone was full off of the brunch tray, we moved it out of the way and laid the dessert tray in the center of the table.

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

marble tray | placemats | green + cream plates | napkins | flatware

We lounged around the table for a handful of hours, picking at juuust one more cheese and cracker pairing or juuust one more nibble of chocolate. Finally, none of us could possible eat one more thing. It was the best way to catch up with friends, because is there any better setting than with full, happy stomachs?

Host the holidays with a colorful charcuterie board! via Yellow Brick Home

Hosting the holidays can be fuss-free and dare I say fun(!) by keeping things low key, casual and pared down. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, Amara has pulled together a curated collection of holiday hits, or you can shop from their personal collection, A by Amara (which includes so much of what you see here). And because we want your home to feel at its best for friends and family, we’re giving away a $250 shopping credit to Amara! Using the Rafflecopter widget below, enter as many ways as you’d like. This giveaway is eligible for those located in the United States and runs through Thursday, November 8th. The winner will be announced within this post and contacted directly. Good luck and happy entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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  • Megan11.5.18 - 6:48 AM

    I could really use some gorgeous serving trays like the ones in this post!ReplyCancel

  • B Lord11.5.18 - 7:37 AM

    The black marble bowl is stunning!ReplyCancel

  • Karen T.11.5.18 - 8:11 AM

    I’ve never heard of Amara but I just went down the rabbit hole on their site. So amazing and so much to choose from! Loving the Gant Como Duvet Cover in Elephant Gray!!ReplyCancel

  • Nancy Thurston11.5.18 - 9:05 AM

    The gold flatware!! I have been wanting some for a long time.ReplyCancel

  • Maureen11.5.18 - 9:26 AM

    I love in the Holiday décor area the Bella Star sirius light sets.ReplyCancel

  • Wendy11.5.18 - 9:31 AM

    Yum! We’re hosting our entire family for Thanksgiving this year and I’m loving the charcuterie platter to start off the meal.ReplyCancel

  • Kaitlin Lyons11.5.18 - 9:35 AM

    OoO! Love the serving platters and cheese boards, especially the domed styles. Those are so cute for little cakes and cookies too!ReplyCancel

  • lak11.5.18 - 9:44 AM

    What a great way to serve guest, I will use this idea this holiday season, and if any of the glorious meats and vegetables are left, Antipasto salad comes to mind. Beautiful set up, especially have mirror images of the tray. As usual, you have outdone yourselves and inspired me.ReplyCancel

  • Liz Dunning11.5.18 - 9:49 AM

    I would love some gorgeous serveware for my holiday guests!ReplyCancel

  • Angela11.5.18 - 10:33 AM

    Definitely love the marble cheese board and mohair throw!ReplyCancel

  • Emma P11.5.18 - 10:43 AM

    I have been dreaming and eyeing gold flatware for years and the Paloma Matt Gold Flatware Set has me all heart eyes!!!ReplyCancel

  • Hannah Gokie11.5.18 - 11:34 AM

    I’m kind of obsessed with the gold flatware and the metallic gold placemats, although those two together might make my husband cringe. ;)ReplyCancel

  • Haley11.5.18 - 11:44 AM

    Loving the Day Birger Et Mikkelsen candleholder!ReplyCancel

  • Grace11.5.18 - 12:03 PM

    The matte gold flatware is beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • Pam M11.5.18 - 12:07 PM

    Gold flatware?!?! Say no more!ReplyCancel

  • EMILY11.5.18 - 1:12 PM

    I love the reindeer candle stick holder, so charming and festive!ReplyCancel

  • Codie R11.5.18 - 1:17 PM

    Gold silverware!!ReplyCancel

  • Haley11.5.18 - 2:22 PM

    Your spread looks amazing! Loving all of their trays… especially the City Serving Tray in Walnut.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda Robbins11.5.18 - 3:10 PM

    The serving trays are gorgeous – and will certainly come in handy for the upcoming holidays! Particularly in love with the Stone Chopping Board.ReplyCancel

  • Nichole11.5.18 - 3:26 PM

    Love this table setting! The deer candle holder makes the table! You guys do great work!ReplyCancel

  • Alexandra11.5.18 - 3:32 PM

    I love the large chopping board and marble tray!!!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly H11.5.18 - 4:07 PM

    That looks like such a fun brunch! The gold flatware is to die for!ReplyCancel

  • Wehaf11.5.18 - 4:11 PM

    My favorites are the Valentine Velvet photo frames, but I am disappointed to see them using Banksy art on their doormats- Banksy doesn’t license his art for commercial use by others.ReplyCancel

  • Jenna11.5.18 - 4:23 PM

    The marble trays and little pink marble bowl are stunning! All the heart eyes over here :)ReplyCancel

  • Anne11.5.18 - 4:43 PM

    I could really use a nice cutting board – and I love the circle placemats – my square ones lead to overlapping which makes the table look messy.ReplyCancel

  • Rust11.5.18 - 4:55 PM

    The Goose Feather and Down Pillow – Pair would be a great gift!ReplyCancel

  • Tenacious Little Terrier11.5.18 - 5:06 PM

    I like the Kiely curtains.ReplyCancel

  • kerri11.5.18 - 5:16 PM

    love the wooden chapati board – giving everyone one of those would make Christmas shopping a breeze!ReplyCancel

  • Stefanie G11.5.18 - 5:30 PM

    I love the Velvet Linen Bedspread/Quilted Throw in Oyster Grey.ReplyCancel

  • jan11.5.18 - 5:55 PM

    Love the marbel cheese boardReplyCancel

  • Claire11.5.18 - 7:28 PM

    Love this idea, and those boards are gorgeous!ReplyCancel

  • Kayley11.5.18 - 8:40 PM

    I love Züny’s creations! The cat bookend would top my list except it’s out of stock; second would be the Lion Lino Doorstop.ReplyCancel

  • Annette11.5.18 - 9:33 PM

    I really like the Comforter Throw – Aspen.ReplyCancel

  • Amy cheng11.5.18 - 10:36 PM

    Looks delicious.ReplyCancel

  • Shirley Emitt11.5.18 - 10:48 PM

    I like the towels, Fireplace Baskets and the Glass Ceiling Lights, can not pick a favorite.ReplyCancel

  • Lisa11.6.18 - 1:17 AM

    Love the gold flatware–especially the way the knives stand on end.ReplyCancel

  • Stephanie11.6.18 - 10:03 AM

    Everything looks wonderful but I love those agate salad fork and spoon servers!ReplyCancel

  • Candace11.6.18 - 1:38 PM

    I have a lighting problem.. I love (lamp) that light, but have no where to put it!ReplyCancel

  • Bianca Munoz11.6.18 - 2:43 PM

    I love their bedroom collection. They have so many neat things (I want them all lol)ReplyCancel

  • Cee11.6.18 - 9:31 PM

    Love the wooden tray and the deer candle holder!ReplyCancel

  • Jess11.7.18 - 3:16 PM

    These pieces are so beautiful and simple! I love the idea of letting the food be the star of the show.ReplyCancel

  • Sarah11.7.18 - 3:55 PM

    This is such perfect timing since we’re hosting our first Friendsgiving this year and I need something to feed everyone the day before we cook the turkey. And beautiful serveware would just be icing on the cake.ReplyCancel

  • Hannah Kirby11.8.18 - 9:00 AM

    Love this! We promised ourselves that we would finally (finally!) get replace my college mismatched flatware with something new when we move into our new house.ReplyCancel

  • Jessica Gipson11.8.18 - 9:25 AM

    I love the Metallic Lace Runner, gorgeous!ReplyCancel

  • Nicole Zerbini11.8.18 - 1:50 PM

    I am loving the A by Amara Ivory Snowflake Stockings!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah S11.8.18 - 7:30 PM

    Those little pink bowls! And the green plates! You made some fantastic choices for this- I’m in love!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly D11.8.18 - 8:41 PM

    I like the Mohair Feel Throw – IvoryReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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