Mom Shows How to Make a Christmas 'Charcuterie Tree' to Wow Your Guests

It's the most wonderful time of the year and many people can't wait to fill their homes with fun, food and laughter.

Lauryn Emily, 33, from Toronto, Canada, recently forked out $80 to create every cheese lover's dream tree.

A YouGov poll, published in 2020, revealed cheese is one of the most popular Christmas dishes for 57 percent of 1,140 Americans surveyed.

The mom, who uses the handle @laurshaps, racked up more than 19.9 million views and over 1.3 million likes on the video, which was captioned "Christmas Charcuterie Tree."

Speaking to Newsweek, Lauryn said: "I love sharing fun ideas for the holidays and home hacks—and we all love a charcuterie board. I saw the foam tree on Amazon and thought, it would be perfect for a Charcute-tree!

"The cone was 16 inches tall and made of Styrofoam, which was around $20 for a pack of four!"

Lauryn used toothpicks and added the following to the tree: Bocconcini, salami, cheddar cheese, baby tomatoes, Queen olives, marble cheese, prosciutto, turkey breast, and rosemary for the branches.

"The total cost was approx. $75 and it took me about 45 minutes to make," she said.

How To Make a Christmas Cheese Tree

• Cut a selection of cheese into bite-size chunks.
• Roll pieces of meat and place them on the end of toothpicks.
• Scatter all of the items onto the tree—the olives and tomatoes can be used as baubles.
• Use rosemary or kale for branches.

The foam cone can also be used to create a fruit salad tree. The content creator has previously shared how to do this on TikTok too. More than 106,000 people have watched the popular clip since it was posted on November 19.

'Charcuterietree'

The hashtag #charcuterietree has been viewed 21.3 million times on TikTok. Some people have opted for a wooden board shaped like a Christmas tree.

One user, posting as @boards_by_dana, shared a video of her cheeseboard on December 1. The video has been watched by over 379,500 people and received more than 16,000 likes from many who were impressed by the way Dana turned pieces of meat into flowers.

Some users, like @samamrose, have topped the tree with a star made from cheese, while others like @convinoboard have added more toothpicks to the top for guests to hold onto when pulling out their desired nibble. Her "charcuterie tree" has racked up 2.6 million views and 80,900 likes on TikTok.

She has shared a video demonstrating how to take a piece out of the tree without touching any other food.

It's also possible to create a Christmas tree with much less ingredients, like user @gaylechapman. She spread Boursin cheese all over a sheet of puff pastry and then placed another sheet on top before cutting it into a tree shape. She then sliced the sides and twisted them before applying an egg wash and placing the tree into the oven.

What Do the Comments Say?

Over 4,100 people have commented on Lauryn's impressive cheese tree, and many can't wait to try it during the festive season.

One popular comment has received more than 8,700 likes, it said: "Golden opportunity to call this Chatcutertree just saying."

Another person simply put "wow," while another admitted they would "be the person eating the star first."

Some TikTokers have suggested wrapping the tree in tin foil or saran wrap ahead of decorating it.

One user said: "I love this but the minute my husband saw the foam he would throw it away & consider it not edible."

An article on health system website UCLA Health states: "Styrofoam is a trademark name for polystyrene, a petroleum-based chemical compound. It's manufactured from styrene, a volatile colorless liquid. Studies have linked exposure to styrene to genetic damage to white blood cells and to certain blood cancers.

"Polystyrene is considered safe for food use when in a solid state. However, heating can cause chemicals to leach from the foam and into the food. Eating the contents of a melted foam container one time is unlikely to cause harm. However, repeated exposure, which can be cumulative, can be a health risk."

A sharing platter isn't just for Christmas, you can create one for any occasion. Read on to find out how to make more.

How To Make a Charcuterie Board

• Place meats like salami, ham and chorizo along with a selection of cheeses, crackers and fruit onto a large serving board or platter.
• Pile each ingredient together to create a more visually appealing end result. Place fruit in between for color and texture.
• Add serving knives or spoons and serve immediately.

How To Make a Butter Board

The following method has been shared by recipe developer Justine Doiron.

• Start with softened butter and a large board.
• Spread the button across the board before adding any seasoning or toppings.
• Always sprinkle with a liberal layer of flakey salt and citrus zest. Both will add so much brightness and depth to the butter.
• Add any herbs or toppings such as roasted vegetables, freshly ground spices or toasted nuts. But make sure everything is cut small enough to be scooped onto a slice of bread.
• Top with something sweet like a drizzle of honey.
• Serve with crusty warm bread. Have guests dip, swirl, spread, and enjoy!

How to Make a Mashed Potato Board

• Take soft mashed potatoes and present them on a board.
• Drizzle oil, and add herbs, vegetables and even cheese.
• Eat by picking up the flavored potatoes on bread or chips

Recently @thisisplanetfood topped a potato board with sliced sausages, chutney and gravy. The viral video was watched by more than 755,000 people.