Housewarming Open House Spread (Printable)

Generous spread of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers ideal for relaxed, stylish entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 9 oz sharp Cheddar, cut into blocks
02 - 9 oz creamy Brie, cut into wedges
03 - 7 oz Manchego, sliced
04 - 7 oz blue cheese, crumbled or in blocks
05 - 7 oz smoked Gouda, cubed

→ Crackers & Breads

06 - 1 large box (12 oz) assorted crackers
07 - 1 baguette, sliced thinly
08 - 1 packet (5 oz) breadsticks

→ Fresh & Dried Fruit

09 - 1 cup red grapes, washed and separated into small clusters
10 - 1 cup green grapes, washed and separated
11 - 2 apples, sliced and tossed with lemon juice
12 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
13 - 1/2 cup dried figs

→ Nuts & Condiments

14 - 1 cup roasted almonds
15 - 1 cup walnuts
16 - 1/2 cup honey
17 - 1/2 cup fig or apricot jam
18 - 1/3 cup whole grain mustard

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

19 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes
20 - 1 cup baby carrots
21 - Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Place cheese blocks and wedges evenly on a large serving board for easy access.
02 - Fill spaces between cheeses with assorted crackers and baguette slices.
03 - Nestle bunches of red and green grapes, apple slices, and dried fruits around the board.
04 - Arrange small bowls or piles of roasted almonds, walnuts, honey, fig or apricot jam, and whole grain mustard.
05 - Distribute cherry tomatoes and baby carrots in gaps to add color and freshness.
06 - Top the arrangement with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs.
07 - Set out cheese knives, spreaders, toothpicks, and cocktail forks for self-service.
08 - Replenish all items as needed throughout the event to ensure abundance.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required—just thoughtful arranging that looks intentional and impressive
  • Guests serve themselves, which means you're actually free to enjoy the party instead of playing server all evening
  • There's something for everyone, from your adventurous friend who'll try the blue cheese to your cousin who sticks with mild cheddar and grapes
  • It gets better as people graze—the visual changes throughout the evening, becoming this beautiful landscape of half-eaten wedges and scattered nuts that somehow looks even more inviting
02 -
  • Remove cheese from the refrigerator 30–45 minutes before guests arrive. Cold cheese tastes muted—room temperature cheese is where the flavor actually lives, especially with Brie and more delicate cheeses.
  • Lemon juice on apples is not optional. I learned this the hard way, watching my beautiful board turn brown within an hour. A squeeze of fresh lemon keeps them pristine and adds brightness.
  • Arrange everything with intention—don't fill every gap. Negative space is what separates an "I threw this together" board from one that looks thoughtfully designed.
  • The condiments (honey, jam, mustard) are not garnish. They're flavor multipliers. A cracker with sharp cheddar is good; a cracker with sharp cheddar and a tiny dab of fig jam is transcendent.
03 -
  • A wooden or marble board photographs beautifully and feels more intentional than glass or ceramic. If you're styling for any reason, this matters.
  • Arrange odd numbers of items (3 clusters of grapes, 3 small bowls of condiments) rather than pairs. It looks naturally abundant rather than symmetrical and formal.
  • Keep a small damp cloth nearby while you're setting up. Wipe away any crumbs or cheese smudges before guests arrive—the board should look pristine and cared for, not chaotic.
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