8 Easy Christmas Cookie Boards for Holiday Parties That Wow Every Guest

By Brandon D / October 3, 2025

Cookie boards are the ultimate holiday party trick: no oven panic, no fussy plating, just a beautiful spread of treats people can’t stop nibbling. You get color, crunch, and instant cheer. Plus, they’re wildly customizable—you can bake a few favorites, mix in store-bought bites, and still look like the host who has it all together.

These eight boards are designed to be easy, festive, and ridiculously good-looking. Each one has a theme, a flavor vibe, and a balance of sweet and salty to keep things interesting. Ready to build the prettiest platters on the block?

1. Classic Cozy Board That Feels Like a Hallmark Movie

This board is a warm hug in cookie form—think nostalgic flavors, simple shapes, and iconic holiday staples. It’s perfect for cookie exchanges, work potlucks, or any night you need that cozy, cinnamon-scented magic. No one’s complaining when there’s hot cocoa nearby.

Ingredients:

• 24 classic sugar cookies (2–3 inches wide), baked and cooled
• 2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
• 1 cup red and green sprinkles
• 12 gingerbread men cookies
• 16 chocolate crinkle cookies
• 12 shortbread stars
• 1 cup mini candy canes
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup peppermint bark, broken into shards
• 1 cup roasted salted almonds
• Fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Frost the sugar cookies with vanilla buttercream. Dip some into red and green sprinkles for instant color variety.
2. Arrange the cookies on a large board: anchor the corners with gingerbread men and shortbread stars, then fan the sugar and crinkle cookies in the center.
3. Create “sweet clusters” of peppermint bark, mini candy canes, and chocolate chips in small bowls or piles to fill gaps.
4. Add salted almonds around the edges for crunch and balance.
5. Tuck in rosemary sprigs and cranberries as edible décor. They add a pop of green and red and smell amazing.

Serve with hot cocoa or spiced cider. Swap the frosting for cream cheese icing if you want tang. Pro tip: use varied heights—small bowls for chocolates make the board feel abundant and styled without extra effort.

2. Peppermint Party Board With Cool, Crunchy Bliss

If you love that peppermint pop, this board is your winter wonderland. It’s all about white, red, and chocolate with minty freshness in every bite. Wonderful after heavy holiday dinners or for a dessert-and-cocktails night.

Ingredients:

• 18 peppermint chocolate sandwich cookies
• 20 white chocolate-dipped Oreos (store-bought or DIY)
• 24 mini peppermint meringues
• 12 chocolate mint brownies, cut into bite-size squares
• 1 cup crushed candy canes
• 1 cup peppermint bark pieces
• 1 cup yogurt-covered pretzels
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried raspberries (for color)
• Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Make a focal stripe: line white chocolate-dipped cookies down the center of the board in a neat column.
2. On one side, pile peppermint sandwich cookies and brownies. On the other side, mound peppermint meringues and yogurt pretzels.
3. Fill gaps with peppermint bark, dark chocolate chunks, and crushed candy canes for texture.
4. Scatter freeze-dried raspberries for a pop of tart color.
5. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to keep chocolate snappy.

Pair with espresso martinis or peppermint hot cocoa. For a dairy-free option, use dark chocolate items and dairy-free pretzels. Seriously, this one disappears fast.

3. Nutty & Nice Board for the Sweet-Salty Crowd

Sweet and salty is holiday magic. This board leans into roasted nuts, caramel, and chocolate with just enough cookie goodness to keep everyone smiling. It’s great for grown-up gatherings where cocktails are flowing.

Ingredients:

• 16 pecan sandies
• 16 almond biscotti (mini, if possible)
• 12 caramel thumbprint cookies
• 1 cup chocolate-covered almonds
• 1 cup candied pecans
• 1 cup pistachios (in shell for drama)
• 1 cup toffee bits or toffee bark
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup sea-salt caramels
• Honey or caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)
• Rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place biscotti along one edge like a border. Fan pecan sandies across the middle.
2. Cluster caramel thumbprints in a central “highlight” area. Surround with toffee bits and sea-salt caramels.
3. Add nut piles around the cookies—almonds, pecans, pistachios—for texture variety.
4. Fill gaps with dried apricots and cherries. They add chew and color contrast.
5. Garnish with herbs. Drizzle honey or caramel lightly over the biscotti right before serving if desired.

Serve with bourbon, mulled wine, or black tea. Variation: add dark chocolate–dipped figs or swap pecan sandies for walnut snowballs. Pro tip: use different nut shapes for visual interest and crunch variety.

4. Kid-Approved Cookie Wonderland With Color and Crunch

Make the little ones squeal with a board that’s bright, playful, and interactive. This setup includes easy dip-and-decorate elements and handheld treats. It’ll keep tiny hands busy and full—win-win.

Ingredients:

• 24 mini sugar cookies, plain
• 12 funfetti cookies
• 12 chocolate chip cookies (mini)
• 1 cup vanilla frosting
• 1 cup chocolate frosting
• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles (snowflakes, trees, etc.)
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzel bites
• 1 cup gummy candy (bears or trees)
• 1/2 cup mini M&M-style candy
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• Paper cups or small bowls for toppings

Instructions:

1. Place vanilla and chocolate frosting in separate small bowls with spoons. Set them on the board as anchors.
2. Surround with mini sugar cookies for decorating. Add funfetti and chocolate chip cookies around the edges.
3. Fill paper cups with sprinkles, M&M-style candy, gummy candy, mini marshmallows, and white chocolate chips. Arrange in a rainbow pattern for extra fun.
4. Create “dipping lanes” by leaving open space near the frosting bowls.
5. Encourage kids to frost and dip their own cookies, buffet-style.

Serve with milk (obviously) and hot cocoa. Variation: include fruit like sliced strawberries or banana coins in a separate bowl for dunking in chocolate frosting. Tip: cover the area with parchment paper to control the sprinkle explosion.

5. Cozy Scandinavian Hygge Board With Butter and Spice

Minimalist, elegant, and deeply comforting—this board channels candle-lit vibes and winter calm. Expect butter-rich cookies, warm spices, and simple, monochrome styling. It’s beautiful with a pot of coffee and twinkly lights.

Ingredients:

• 18 butter cookies (Danish-style)
• 16 cardamom shortbread rounds
• 16 ginger thins (pepparkakor)
• 12 cinnamon-sugar palmiers
• 1 cup white chocolate-covered almonds
• 1 cup dried pears (or apple rings)
• 1/2 cup crystallized ginger pieces
• 1 cup dark chocolate squares (70%)
• 1/2 cup honeyed walnuts
• Fresh orange peel twists and star anise (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Arrange butter cookies in a neat circle at the center. The uniform shape creates a clean focal point.
2. Fan cardamom shortbread on one side and ginger thins on the other for a warm-spice gradient.
3. Place palmiers along the bottom edge for a flaky, eye-catching border.
4. Fill gaps with white chocolate almonds, honeyed walnuts, and dark chocolate squares.
5. Add dried pears, crystallized ginger, and tuck in orange peel twists with star anise for aromatic décor.

Serve with strong coffee, glögg, or chai. Variation: swap dark chocolate for licorice bites to lean more Scandinavian. Pro tip: keep the color palette neutral—creams, browns, and golds—for an elegant minimalist effect.

6. Chocolate Lover’s Dream Board That Melts Hearts

For the chocoholics in the room, this board goes all-in: dark, milk, white, and everything in between. Layers of texture keep each bite interesting. It’s your dessert table headliner.

Ingredients:

• 12 double chocolate cookies
• 12 chocolate-dipped shortbread fingers
• 16 cocoa crinkle cookies
• 12 brownie bites
• 1 cup chocolate truffles (assorted)
• 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzels
• 1 cup white chocolate bark with cranberries
• 1/2 cup cocoa nibs
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate toffee pieces
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries or strawberries
• Dusting of powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Create a diagonal trio of piles: double chocolate cookies, cocoa crinkles, and brownie bites.
2. Line up chocolate-dipped shortbread fingers like “logs” to frame the trio.
3. Sprinkle in truffles, pretzels, and toffee pieces to fill the negative space.
4. Break the white chocolate bark into big rustic shards and tuck them vertically for height.
5. Add berries for freshness. Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a snow-kissed finish.

Serve with port, Irish coffee, or peppermint tea for contrast. Variation: add orange zest or candied orange slices for a chocolate-orange moment. Trust me, texture is king—mix chewy, crunchy, and creamy for the win.

7. Gluten-Free Joy Board Everyone Can Share

Holiday spreads should be inclusive—and delicious. This board keeps things gluten-free without sacrificing flavor or beauty. Check labels or bake your own, and you’re golden.

Ingredients:

• 16 gluten-free almond flour sugar cookies
• 12 flourless peanut butter cookies
• 12 coconut macaroons (dipped in chocolate for drama)
• 16 gluten-free ginger snaps
• 1 cup dark chocolate bark (certified GF)
• 1 cup yogurt-covered raisins (GF)
• 1/2 cup pistachios
• 1/2 cup salted cashews
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• Fresh pomegranate arils and rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

1. Arrange almond flour sugar cookies in a loose ring. Fill the center with macaroons.
2. Layer ginger snaps and peanut butter cookies around the edges in alternating stacks for pattern.
3. Break dark chocolate bark into shards and place upright in a small bowl or glass for height.
4. Scatter in pistachios, cashews, yogurt raisins, and dried cranberries.
5. Garnish with pomegranate arils and rosemary sprigs for color pop.

Serve with spiced herbal tea or mulled cider. Variation: swap peanut butter cookies for tahini cookies to keep it nut-allergy-friendly if needed. Tip: keep a small GF label tag on the board so guests know it’s safe.

8. Midnight Sparkle Board for New Year’s Energy

Planning a holiday-to-New-Year crossover party? This board brings the glitz. Think gold accents, chic flavors, and a little sparkle—perfect with bubbles and countdown vibes.

Ingredients:

• 12 black cocoa sandwich cookies (or dark chocolate sandwich cookies)
• 12 lemon shortbread rounds
• 12 vanilla macarons (store-bought is fine)
• 12 chocolate-dipped waffle cookies
• 1 cup salted caramel truffles
• 1 cup gold-dusted almonds (or regular almonds tossed with edible luster dust)
• 1/2 cup gold or silver sprinkles (edible glitter optional)
• 1 cup white chocolate–covered popcorn
• 1/2 cup candied lemon peel
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate shards
• Edible gold leaf (optional)

Instructions:

1. Create a monochrome base with dark sandwich cookies and chocolate-dipped waffle cookies, arranging them in alternating rows.
2. Add lemon shortbread and vanilla macarons in arcs to break up the dark tones.
3. Place truffles and gold-dusted almonds in small bowls for a luxe touch.
4. Fill gaps with white chocolate popcorn and dark chocolate shards. Sprinkle candied lemon peel across the top.
5. Lightly add edible glitter or a tiny bit of gold leaf to a few cookies for sparkle.

Serve with Champagne, prosecco, or a zero-proof bubbly. Variation: swap macarons for meringue kisses if you need nut-free. Pro tip: stick to a black, white, and gold palette and it’ll look straight out of a magazine.

How to Build Any Cookie Board Like a Pro

Before you start assembling, a few general tips make every board look curated and party-ready:

• Mix textures: include chewy, crunchy, creamy, and crisp for variety.
• Play with height: small bowls and shards add dimension.
• Color balance: aim for 2–3 dominant colors and 1–2 accent colors.
• Anchor with “hero” cookies: bigger cookies first, then fill with small bites.
• Use herbs and fruit: rosemary, cranberries, and citrus peel bring holiday vibes.
• Label for allergens: a tiny tag prevents guesswork for guests.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Most cookies can be baked 2–3 days ahead. Store in airtight containers at room temperature.
• Keep crunchy cookies separate from soft cookies to preserve texture.
• Chocolate elements can be pre-portioned in small bowls and wrapped in plastic until assembly.
• Assemble boards up to 2 hours before serving. Add fresh garnishes and powdered sugar at the last minute.

Easy Store-Bought Boosters

• Grab a few bakery favorites and mix with homemade for effortless variety.
• Use themed sprinkles, mini candy canes, and edible glitter to elevate simple cookies.
• Don’t forget savory nibbles like nuts or pretzels to balance the sweetness.

That’s your roadmap to party-perfect cookie boards. Pick one theme or mash up elements you love—no rules, just joyful snacking. Set one down, watch the smiles, and enjoy the easiest hosting win of the season.