Holidays and parties go hand in hand, perhaps as well as wine and cheese. If you’re planning a seasonal gathering, why not aim for the win-win combo and throw a holiday wine and cheese party? Contrary to popular belief, this type of event doesn’t need to be stuffy, expensive or overdone. Making hosting a breeze is as easy as one, two, three.

TL;DR: It’s all about keeping it simple, offering options, and setting the mood and the table.

3 Steps to Hosting the Best Holiday Wine and Cheese Party

1. Simplify the menu.

Now you might be thinking, “what do I need for a wine and cheese party?” If the name of the party didn’t give it away, we’ll share our big secret now:

Wine + cheese + people = party. Yes, it’s that simple.

Whether your guests are cheese snobs or wine aficionados (or both), your shopping list should include a mix of reds, whites, sharps, milds and more. But don’t overthink it. We have you covered – check out these suggested cheese pairings for red and white wines. Limit pairings to 5-6 options though, or you’ll risk overwhelming your guests with options. Cello offers some unique cheese options that have such a pop in flavor, you don’t have to worry about adding any extras.

Good cheese doesn’t need to be fussy, it just needs to be delicious. Impress your guests with Cello’s signature Copper Kettle Parmesan to present them with something brand new to their taste buds. It’s aged over 16 months and offers a caramel finish sure to delight, notably when paired with Chardonnay. Our Rubbed Fontal Cheeses present a smooth, creamy texture, and with eight unique flavor profiles, you can find an option to suit every palate.

Keep it carefree and trendy with wine and cheese flights that do the work for you. You can skip the planning and head straight to the store with Cello cheese flights – find drink pairing ideas right on the label! Consider pre-pouring the wine flights so you can maximize your time with your guests. Does it get much easier?

And the best thing about a wine and cheese party? No cooking! As you and your visitors sip wine and sample cheese, savor the moments of slowing down and catching up at the holidays. Remember, your guests are coming for the company and the camaraderie. Focus on simplicity to reduce the stress of hosting and spend your time making memories instead.

2. Host at home.

As you keep your party planning minimal, don’t complicate the logistics by incorporating an external venue. Hosting a wine and cheese party at home doesn’t require high-end digs or massive amounts of square footage. It just involves a little preparation and ingenuity.

Perhaps your Insta feed is filled with mouth-watering images of cheese boards (doesn’t everyone follow cheesemakers and party planners?). They look fancy, professional and expensive. Is it possible to DIY and achieve the same wow factor for your shindig? We think yes.

A cheese board is an easy, fun appetizer that is sure to add an air of sophistication to any get-together. Get on board with our nine easy steps to creating the perfect cheese board and modify, based on your budget, schedule, or dietary preferences and needs of guests like gluten-free or vegetarian. You gain major party hosting street cred with a cheese board that has something for everyone!

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Now, turn down the lights and crank up the hygge! Fill your space with holiday lights and candles to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Strands of lights can be placed in unexpected places for extra wonder and festiveness. Bonus: soft lighting makes small spaces feel larger.

Throw on some holiday tunes and you’re ready to party!

3. Set the table

We know, there’s one major question we still haven’t answered. How much wine do you even need for a wine and cheese party? We’re cheese people, not mathematicians, but let’s break down the numbers a bit to find out.

A regular bottle of wine contains 25 ounces. While a standard wine pour is 5 ounces, a tasting pour is 2-3 ounces, or about ten pours per bottle. If you are offering six tastings to ten friends, you would want to plan for at least six bottles just for the tasting. Plus, assume guests will look to enjoy another glass or so. It’s important to know your audience and their level of imbibing. If you err on the safe side and grab a few extra bottles or other spirits to enjoy, you’ll be a rockstar host or hostess.

Don’t inundate guests or build traffic at the table by formalizing the pairing process. Create a nice flow when you set your table with a self-guided tour! If you’re feeling extra, design and print a cheat sheet pairing guide (you can use all the info we’ve curated for you here). Clearly place bottles next to their suggested, complementary cheeses and be sure to label the cheeses. There is nothing worse than biting into an unexpected crumble of blue cheese if you’re not a fan of its piquant flavor.

Attractive, festive disposable cups, plates and cutlery add some table flair and help simplify end-of-party clean up. Setting the table right sets you up for success for both the party and the aftermath.

Hosting the best holiday wine and cheese party doesn’t require months of planning, a picture-perfect mansion, or a limitless budget. Go ahead, send your save the dates, stock up on Cello cheese anytime (you can freeze them!), and you’re set with these party pro tips.

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Entertain with ease this holiday season when you cheese confidently with Cello.