Entertaining with Grazing Tables

December is my favorite month to entertain. Maybe it is yours too.  For me, I can hardly wait to set up the tree, decorate the house, play Christmas music and host friends and family as often as possible.  This year, I jumped on the grazing table trend and take my party food and gift-giving in a different direction.   

Whether you are creating a board to bring to a gathering or giving one as a gift, or maybe you are creating an elaborate grazing table at home for a gathering, these impressive spreads are designed with your guest in mind.

Grazing tables, thoughtfully designed treasure troves of nibbles and bites, flow across almost any flat surface. Have fun by incorporating a variety of meats and cheeses, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables, dips and sauces, chocolates, nuts and more. Let your imagination run wild!  The idea is to create small sections of food laid methodically next to each other across the surface without leaving gaps in the table.  Every inch of the area should be filled.  If you have a large table or surface, you can use the space more efficiently by adding in greens, flowers, and candles in between and framing the foods. This not only adds to the beauty and ambience of the grazing table, but it will save you from having to purchase more food for impact.  

The thing you want to keep in mind as you design your table is the color placement, texture, complimentary foods, and esthetics.   If you haven’t discovered it already, Pinterest is filled with inspiration for grazing tables and grazing boards that include many heavenly bites.

This year I purchased several beautiful cutting boards and serving trays from my local HomeGoods, Macy’s, and Target stores as my Christmas gift to friends and family.   Because each person or family has their own set of food preferences or dietary needs, I selected items I knew would appeal to their taste.  One board I created for an event was a 4 foot wood shelf from Home Depot filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, chocolates and more.  As I entertained throughout December, I created huge grazing tables across my entire kitchen countertop choosing different foods and ingredients depending on the group of guest attending the gathering. It was always a huge hit with every crowd as they left feeling full and loved.

Don’t wait until December to create your grazing table!  Every season has its charm.  You can implement this theme into any gathering throughout the year highlighting the foods are in season.  Think Bloody Mary grazing tables with all the fixings for a brunch gathering, a seafood grazing tables on ice in the summer or maybe go ethnic with a Mexican grazing table that includes all the ingredients to make your own tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chips, salsa, margaritas and more.  The beauty of a grazing table are the limitless ideas you can create when entertaining your guests.  I guarantee it will be one of their favorite ways to be entertained!