For the table

A Thanksgiving cheese board from small creameries

A Thanksgiving cheese board wants fall flavors without competing with dinner: an aged cranberry cheddar, a maple syrup cheddar, a cranberry walnut cheese spread, then a savory jam and some nuts. Everything here comes from small cheesemakers and pantry makers in Wisconsin, Vermont and Kentucky, and the cheese ships cold.

8 picks, in stock today. Each ships straight from its maker.

A simple formula

Two or three cheeses, one jam, one nut. Try Mousehouse Cheesehaus cranberry cheddar and maple syrup cheddar, Blake Hill maple onion jam, and Bourbon Barrel Foods smoked pecans.

How much to buy

Before a big dinner, plan on about 1 to 2 ounces of cheese per person. A board is a snack while the turkey rests, not a course.

Want it done for you

The Wisconsin Cheese Sampler from Cheese Brothers is four cheeses in one gift box: Dill Havarti, Smoked Gouda, Fratello and Honey Sriracha Gouda.

Good to know

What cheeses go on a Thanksgiving cheese board?

Fall-flavored cheddars do well: cranberry cheddar, maple cheddar, plus one mild cheese like havarti or gouda. Add a cranberry walnut spread for people who like something soft.

What jam goes with a Thanksgiving cheese board?

A savory jam like Blake Hill's maple onion jam, made with Vermont maple syrup and thyme, or their caramelized fig with pear and honey.

Does the cheese ship cold?

Yes. Cheese makers ship Monday to Wednesday in insulated packaging so it never sits over a weekend.

How does shipping work?

Each maker packs and ships its own items, so shipping is each maker's own rate, shown at checkout, usually $8 to $15 for one item. Anything else from the same maker goes in the same box. Perishables like cheese go out Monday to Wednesday in insulated packaging.

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