A charcuterie board gift can be a single boxed snack, a full board the recipient keeps, or a kit they build themselves. We read three guides, one for each way, and put them side by side so you can pick before you shop.
We haven’t built any of these, so the amounts and steps belong to each guide. Two of the three sell gifts, so read their tips with that in mind!
How do three charcuterie board gift ideas compare?
The three gifts differ in size, what the recipient gets to keep and how much you pack. This Vivacious Life (June 2022) makes one boxed snack in 10 minutes. BloomsyBox builds a full board. Boarderie (August 2023) covers kits and boxes.
| This Vivacious Life | BloomsyBox | Boarderie | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gift format | One individual box | A full board to keep | A DIY kit or individual boxes |
| Time on the page | 10 minutes | Not stated | Not stated |
| Container | Empty kraft box | Wood, marble or slate board | Paper box with clear lid, bento box or mini wooden board |
| What goes in | Cheese, cured meats, crackers, honey, chocolate, olives or berries, mini jam jar | Three to five cheeses from soft to hard, with one bold one allowed | Cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, small jars of spreads or honey |
| Packing tip | Add herbs and berries last | Pick a board slightly larger than you think you need | Line boxes with parchment or wax paper; add mini forks or spreaders |
| Who is writing | Food blog | Flower and gift seller | Board seller |
One thing to watch on the This Vivacious Life page: the ingredient list says 8 ounces each of crackers, cheeses and meats, but the steps say to put 2 ounces of each in the box. Follow the steps for a single box.
Which charcuterie board gift should you make?
Not sure how much to spend or pack? Pick the gift by how long it has to travel and what the recipient will do with it. A boxed snack is the lightest, a board is the one that lasts, and a kit lets them do the assembling.
- Quickest: This Vivacious Life’s box, at 10 minutes.
- One they keep: BloomsyBox’s board, which says a reusable wooden or marble board keeps giving value after the food is gone.
- Easiest to hand out in bulk: Boarderie’s individual boxes, which it suggests for events where sharing is limited.
- For a recipient on a special diet: Boarderie suggests vegan cheeses and gluten-free crackers.
What should the board be made of?
BloomsyBox names three materials for a gift board: wood, marble and slate. It lists acacia, olive wood and bamboo as the favored woods because they last and can be reused. Marble keeps cheese cool for longer, and slate can be labeled with chalk.
Handles, juice grooves and raised edges are the details it says make a board easier to carry and reuse. That’s a seller’s view, but it’s a fair checklist when you’re picking one.
Can you ship a charcuterie gift?
Boarderie says to use insulated packaging, such as styrofoam boxes or insulated foil bags, with ice or gel packs for the cold items. It also says to protect soft cheeses, crackers and jars with bubble wrap or custom-fit inserts. It doesn’t give a safe time in transit, so ask your carrier before you send meat or soft cheese far.
For ideas on what to put in it, see our Costco charcuterie board page for a buy-or-build comparison, or the turkey charcuterie board for a holiday shape. Our Christmas side dishes guide covers the rest of the table.
Charcuterie board gift questions people ask
Is a box or a board the better gift?
It depends on what you want to hand over. A box from This Vivacious Life is one snack. A board from BloomsyBox is something the recipient keeps.
Can you make it vegan or gluten-free?
Boarderie says a board with vegan cheeses and gluten-free crackers can be just as good as a traditional one. It doesn’t name brands.
Do you need flowers with it?
No. Only BloomsyBox suggests them, and it sells flowers!