Holiday Entertaining Spread: A Hosting Shopping List
A holiday spread is not the same as a single cheese board. When people are in the house for hours, you want a layered table: cured meats and spreads to graze on, a couple of dips, a warm dinner option, something sweet, and drinks for the people who are not drinking wine. This guide gathers small-batch picks for all of those roles, all in stock at Madeline's right now, so you can host without a dozen separate runs to the store.
If you only want a cheese board specifically, see our guide to the best cheeses for a holiday cheese board. The list below is the wider hosting spread. Every pick links straight to its product page.
The picks
Taste of Vermont Salumi from Vermont Salumi
A charcuterie set made with pasture-raised Vermont pork. It is an easy centerpiece for a grazing table and saves you from assembling a meat board piece by piece.
Salami Sampler from Vermont Salumi
A sampler of small-batch salami flavors for slicing onto a board. The variety gives guests a few options without committing to one full chub of a single style.
Creamy Gouda Spread from Smith's Country Cheese
A soft, spreadable gouda that needs nothing more than crackers to serve. It holds up on a table for a while, which makes it a low-effort anchor for the spread.
Gouda With Wine Spread from Smith's Country Cheese
A gouda spread blended with wine for a slightly more grown-up flavor. Set it out next to the plain creamy gouda so guests can compare.
Georgia Peach Salsa from Savannah Sauce Company
A fruit-forward peach salsa that works as a chip dip or spooned over a block of cream cheese for a fast appetizer. Sweet and mild, so it pleases a mixed crowd.
Bacon Salsa from Savannah Sauce Company
A savory salsa with bacon for guests who lean away from sweet. It pairs well with sturdy chips and adds a second dip option to the table.
18-Year Balsamic Vinegar of Modena from Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar
A thick, aged balsamic to drizzle over the cheese board or a wedge of parmesan. A small pour reads as a finishing touch that makes the spread feel considered.
Cheese Ravioli from Nicola's Marketplace
A fresh cheese ravioli for the moment grazing turns into dinner. Boil a batch, add sauce, and you have a warm main for guests who stay through the evening.
Classic Milk, 55% from Goodnow Farms Chocolate
A 55 percent milk chocolate bar from a Massachusetts bean-to-bar maker. Break it onto the dessert end of the table or set out a few bars as a simple sweet.
House Blend Hot Cocoa from Goodnow Farms Chocolate
A house-blend hot cocoa for a warm drink station. It is a comforting option for kids and for the end of a long evening of hosting.
Kombucha Variety Pack from Fine Feathers Kombucha Co.
A kombucha variety pack that gives non-drinking guests something more interesting than soda. The mix of flavors covers a range of preferences at the table.
How to choose
Build outward from the grazing board: pick one charcuterie set, two cheese spreads, and two dips, then add the cheese ravioli if you want a warm main when the evening runs long. Finish with the chocolate and cocoa for dessert and the kombucha for guests who skip alcohol. For a smaller gathering, the charcuterie set, one spread, one dip, and the chocolate are plenty.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put together a holiday spread without cooking all day?
Lean on ready-to-serve items: a charcuterie set, spreadable cheeses, and jarred dips need only crackers and chips. The cheese ravioli is the one item that requires cooking, and it takes only a few minutes to boil.
How much food should I plan per guest?
For a grazing-style spread, plan a few ounces of meat and cheese per person plus a couple of dips for the table to share. If you are serving the ravioli as a sit-down main, scale that to about one portion per guest and treat the board as the appetizer.
Which items can I prep ahead?
The charcuterie, cheese spreads, salsas, and balsamic can all be set out cold with no cooking. Slice the salami and arrange the board ahead of time, then boil the ravioli only when guests are ready to eat.
Do I need a main dish or just snacks?
A grazing spread can stand on its own for a short gathering. For longer evenings, the cheese ravioli gives you a warm main without much added effort, so guests are not relying on snacks alone.
What can I serve guests who do not drink alcohol?
The kombucha variety pack and the house blend hot cocoa both give non-drinking guests something with a little more character than soda or water. The cocoa is also kid-friendly.
Keep browsing
For more, see our Charcuterie, Dips & Spreads, and Gift Boxes collections. You may also like our guides on how to build a charcuterie and cheese board and the best host and hostess gifts under $50.