The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and if you're planning on hosting a party it's time to start thinking about all the details. 

Check out our tips for hosting a party at home:

Setting the Mood

Set the mood by designing a festive welcoming ambiance that lasts well into the night by creating inviting areas for your guests to explore, gather and unwind. Incorporate natural touches with flowers and cozy candles. And be sure to keep your guests hydrated with a fun drinks station area so guests can serve themselves throughout the evening.

We love setting up little areas for guests to relax, play games like corn hole or bocce ball and most of all connect with delicious nosh. We highly recommend a cheese and charcuterie board, or several, spread out around the party, or if your hosting a party for 30 or more people our DIY Grazing Table is a really great option. A cheese and charcuterie board is a great way to invite your guests to mingle and chat all about the yummy board combinations and offerings. When it comes to creating the perfect Fourth of July charcuterie board we are here to guide you!

 

Building Your Board

First, choose the right board. A wooden or marble board is always a classic choice, but don't be afraid to get creative! A rustic cutting board or even a cookie sheet can add a unique touch to your presentation.

Next, think about the layout and design. You want to create a visually interesting display that is also practical for your guests to access but, most of all, delicious. For Fourth of July we love the idea of playing up the Red White and Blue, and even offering up some festive stars too, although we don’t like to add too much “decor” themed food.

 

Red

For red elements, you of course have the charcuterie itself, which is always red. You can also incorporate cheeses that have red wax rind like Gouda, or there is also a Manchego with a red rind. Keep in mind of course the rinds are inedible.

You can also consider Brie or another simple cheese and add some berries, dried cherries, or edible flowers on top.

Other Red elements can come from summer fruits like cherries, watermelon, red apples, strawberries, raspberries, or dried tart cherries or cranberries. Veggies, such as red bell pepper, radishes, and cherry tomatoes, can also add to your red splash.

Red walnuts and of course Our Signature Tomato Confit can really top off all your red elements.

 

White

This should be pretty easy because most cheeses are white in hue, but be sure to add texture with crumbled aged English white cheddar, a soft brie, and a gruyer–perhaps cut out in star shapes with a cookie cutter.

Marcona almonds and pistachios offer some white nut varieties.

You can also add some white vegetables such as cauliflower, endive, fennel, jicama, or radish. I loved using white dragon fruit cut into star shapes to add some festive pop to the board.

 

 

Blue

The Blue elements can be the most challenging because, of course, natural blue food outside of blueberries doesn’t really exist, but you can stretch the imagination with hints of blue colors such as “blue” cheeses like Humboldt Fog, or my favorite Gorgonzola Dolce. You can also consider some blueberry-flavored cheese but use this sparingly. Blackberries, black or purplish grapes, figs, and even certain olives (kalamata, purple cerignola olives) can all offer you the feeling of blue in your board.

 

We hope you have found this hosting a party at home checklist helpful, now you are ready to elevate your Fourth of July party with this delicious and visually stunning spread, and your warm and inviting ambiance.

Not up for creating your own Fourth of July board? Not to fret we have you covered with one of delicious cheese and charcuterie boards - you can order HERE.