Housewarming Open House Spread (Printable)

A generous assortment featuring cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and fresh herbs for elegant entertaining.

# What You 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 - 12 oz assorted crackers
07 - 1 baguette, thinly sliced
08 - 5 oz breadsticks

→ Fresh & Dried Fruit

09 - 1 cup red grapes, washed, separated into small clusters
10 - 1 cup green grapes, washed, separated
11 - 2 apples, sliced and tossed with lemon juice
12 - ½ cup dried apricots
13 - ½ cup dried figs

→ Nuts & Condiments

14 - 1 cup roasted almonds
15 - 1 cup walnuts
16 - ½ cup honey
17 - ½ cup fig or apricot jam
18 - ⅓ cup whole grain mustard

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

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

# Directions:

01 - Place cheese blocks and wedges evenly spaced on a large serving board or platter.
02 - Fill gaps between cheeses with assorted crackers and thin baguette slices.
03 - Nestle small clusters of red and green grapes, apple slices, and dried fruits around the cheeses and crackers.
04 - Add small bowls or piles of roasted almonds, walnuts, honey, fig or apricot jam, and whole grain mustard.
05 - Fill remaining spaces with cherry tomatoes and baby carrots, then garnish with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs.
06 - Set out small cheese knives, spreaders, toothpicks, and cocktail forks to facilitate self-service.
07 - Replenish items as needed throughout the event to keep the board looking abundant and fresh.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Requires zero cooking—just beautiful arranging, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of hiding in the kitchen
  • Everyone finds something they love because the variety is genuinely spectacular; vegetarians, cheese lovers, fruit enthusiasts, all taken care of
  • It looks so abundant and thoughtful that people feel immediately welcomed, and honestly, that's the whole point of an open house
02 -
  • Slice your apples and arrange everything 15-30 minutes before people arrive, not hours ahead. An impeccably arranged board that's been sitting gets tired-looking; a freshly arranged one looks intentional and alive.
  • Always place a small container or plate nearby for guests to use—even generous people feel awkward eating without somewhere to set their plate, and this little detail makes everything feel more elegant.
03 -
  • Buy pre-cut cheese if time is tight—there's no shame in making your life easier, and the board will still look spectacular and taste amazing
  • Arrange your board on a chilled surface or even on a bed of ice beneath a thin board layer in summer to keep cheeses from sweating and looking sad
Return