Upgrade your holiday party with themed grazing boards—and cocktails to match

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Hosting has changed faster than ever since the pandemic. Now that the world is mostly back to in-person socializing this season, there are plenty of new entertaining trends to try. Whether you’re planning an office holiday party or a dinner spread with friends, cast aside your old, stuffy party plans in favor of something more creative. 

While researching trends, I found everything from escape room team-building with coworkers to bourbon-cocktail-class happy hours with family. 

But I honed in on an ever-evolving, always exciting classic: grazing boards. 

Inspired by charcuterie boards, these platters are carefully curated with small, handheld hors d’oeuvres. Modern-day boards go beyond cheese and meats. They can truly showcase anything you desire. 

Try olives and hummus for a Mediterranean theme. Explore a trendy butter- or cream cheese-centric board. For an Italian twist, a flavored olive oils board could pair so well with bread, cheese and meats. The possibilities are endless. 

For your own grazing party, I dreamt up three ideas for fun boards and signature cocktails to pair them with. I will leave the rest of the menu planning up to the readers’ discretion—and remember, the 225 food archives are full of wonderful recipes to go along with any of your holiday party ideas. Happy holidays!

On the menu

Baked Brie Board

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Homemade Marshmallow Board

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‘Night in Old New Orleans’ Board

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This article was originally published in the December 2022 issue of 225 magazine.