If you thought eye-catching charcuterie boards could only be made by professionals—think again! A homemade snack board is the perfect appetizer for any holiday party and we're giving you the tools to make one that costs less than $15. The key to creating a board that your guests will want to devour and whip out their phones to document is choosing the right ingredients and sprucing things up with a few simple presentation tricks. Plus, sourcing everything you need from ALDI makes the process easy and affordable. Simply grab some meats, cheeses, spreads, and fruit and arrange them in different shapes and styles to visually draw your guests in. For additional holiday board inspo, ALDI is offering charcuterie tutorials, advice, pairings, and more, all season long thanks to it’s first-ever “Charcuterie Board of Directors.”

Here's how to settle on your ingredients and the display tips you'll need to make them look extra-special:

Dip: Park Street Deli Olive Tapenade or Red Pepper Hummus

  • Choose a dip with a swirl, like this hummus or olive tapenade to add something visually striking to the board and some extra flavor.
  • Scoop the dip into a small bowl and use the back of a spoon to swoop the top to create an appealing texture.
  • Bonus: Add a drizzle of olive oil to finish the look.

      Cheese: Emporium Selection Brie Cheese Round

      • Slice the brie into bite-size pieces, so guests can pick it up for easier eating rather than slicing it with a knife—it's also much prettier for artistic boards like this one.
      • If you're using just one type of cheese, try slicing half into one shape and the other half into another shape to provide visual contrast, and arrange them in opposing spots on the board. This way everyone can easily grab cheese no matter which side of the board they are on.

        Charcuterie: Appleton Farms Gourmet Deli Selection

        • Choose charcuterie that comes in a deli selection, like this trio. This is an easy way to add variety to the board without additional purchases.
        • Present the meats in different ways to distinguish each type—and add some visual intrigue. Cut one type into quarters, fold another in half or in thirds, and style the third into a rose by folding the slice in half and rolling it onto itself. Then cascade each around the cheese and dip in various spots on the board.

          Crackers: Savoritz Six Cracker Assortment

          • Crackers are the perfect vehicle for building bites stacked with meat, cheese, and dip—and for filling the board for a bountiful presentation.
          • Choose a variety of crackers and fan into any gaps on the board, then put extras in a bowl on the side.

            Fruit: Green Grapes

            • Seasonal fresh fruit adds a sweet-savory balance to the rest of the board.
            • Break up the grapes into cute small clusters for easy access, and organize them in any remaining empty spaces on the board.

            Pricing and availability may vary by market.

              Photographer: Hilaire Baumgartner; Digital Tech: David Nix; Photo Assistant: Beth Hutson; Food Stylist: Laura Rege.