Experts Share How To Make the Perfect Edible Centerpieces for Your Valentine’s Day Party
Something everyone will love.
Valentine’s Day is all about love — and who doesn’t love yummy food? Whether you’re hosting a party, attending one, or spending the night in, one of the best ways to celebrate Valentine’s is with treats. And we cannot think of a better way to serve treats than with cute and tasty Valentine’s grazing boards, filled with love-themed snacks both sweet and salty. We reached out to some foodies and design pros who gave use tips on how to put the “cute” in “charcuterie” and make some amazing grazing boards that double as decor.
Simply Lovely Brunch Board
“Grazing boards are a surprisingly easy yet impressive way to charm loved ones at a party,” says DIY pro Jeannine Rose, founder of SweetHumbleHome.com. “And for Valentine’s Day, brunch boards are perfect — they’re hearty enough to serve a small group and are pretty enough to act as a centerpiece.” For extra visual interest, she suggests varying heights and shapes along with simple patterns on your board. “Here, it’s done with white heart-shaped bowls and a repeating triangle pattern,” she says. To do: Choose a mix of bite-size brunch bites like mini waffles (or pancakes), fresh berries, cookies, scones, chocolates, and the like. Place heart-shaped bowls in the center of a round tray and fill with candies or fruit dips. Then fill the board, in triangular sections, with the brunch bites. Display the board on a tabletop.
Sweet and Savory Board
“I love making grazing boards — they showcase pretty, seasonal details while also allowing your guests to happily serve themselves,” says blogger Kate Bowler, founder of DomestikatedLife.com. “And for Valentine’s Day, you can work in lots of sweet treats to balance out the savory elements.” She created this board that’s equal parts dazzling and delicious.
To do: Fill three small bowls or ramekins with jam, small candies, and your favorite soft cheese; insert serving utensils into each. Place on a long tray (Kate recommends trays with a “lip” to hold ingredients securely). Next, add larger sweets like cookies and truffles. Then add cheeses and meats, always grouping like items in sections. Fill in gaps with crackers, fruit, and more. Follow Kate on Instagram @domestikateblog or on Facebook at Domestikatedlife for more fun tips.
Decadent and Cozy Hot Cocoa Board
“Creating a themed board like this adorable hot cocoa one allows you to have fun with one flavor profile,” says Rose. “And with a few festive swaps, you can adjust it for every holiday.” For a cozy “Galentine’s Day” spread, set up a help-yourself carafe of hot cocoa with mugs for your guests. Then grab a white platter (set on a table or surface near the carafe) and place a few tiny bowls or party-store pails, like pink mini pails (Buy from Oriental Trading, $14.99 for 12) in the center. Fill pails or bowls with toppings or mix-ins like mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, toasted coconut, and peppermint sticks. Fill in with more bites, grouping into zones, like wafers, crunchy chocolates, heart-shaped marshmallows, and cookies. Leftover treats? Give guests to-go baggies to fill up as favors.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
