There’s something especially satisfying about a Christmas present you’ve put together yourself – particularly when it involves cheese. A homemade Christmas cheese selection box lets you choose every element with the recipient in mind, from their favourite cheeses to the chutney they’ll be reaching for on Boxing Day.
Building your own is part of the fun. But if you’d rather leave the choosing and pairing to someone else, our expertly curated cheese gifts bring together Snowdonia Cheese Co favourites in combinations made for festive cheeseboards.
What is a cheese selection box?
Think of it as a luxurious, savoury upgrade to the classic Christmas confectionery selection box. Inside, you’ll find a carefully chosen collection of cheeses, with crackers, chutneys and other cheeseboard favourites to make a festive spread.
Food gifts have become a Christmas staple for good reason. For the person who already seems to own everything they need, something delicious to feast on can be far more appealing than another trinket to find space for. And because you can tailor the contents, a homemade selection can feel very personal.
How to choose the perfect cheeses
Include different cheeses
Variety is what makes a cheeseboard interesting, so start with a few contrasting styles rather than several cheeses that occupy similar territory.
For the Cheddar fans, Black Bomber brings our rich, full-flavoured extra mature Cheddar, while Rock Star offers a vintage cave-aged alternative with plenty of character. Add Red Storm for a smooth, mature Red Leicester, and you already have a strong base for your box.
Then you can have some fun with flavoured cheeses. Bouncing Berry combines mature Cheddar with cranberries, while Truffle Trove adds the earthy richness of Italian Black Summer truffle. Amber Mist brings Scotch whisky into the mix, and Ruby Mist pairs mature Cheddar with Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port and French brandy.
You don’t need one of everything. The aim is simply to create enough contrast in flavour, texture and intensity that there’s something different to come back to with each slice.
How many cheeses should be in a Christmas cheese selection box?
Four cheeses is plenty for a smaller gift, especially if you’re adding crackers or chutney alongside them. It gives you room for a couple of classics and one or two more distinctive flavours without the box becoming unwieldy.
For a medium Christmas cheese selection box, four to five cheeses works well. If you’re putting together a larger hamper for a family, a keen cheese lover or a festive gathering, five or more gives you scope for a broader cheeseboard.
Think about who will be eating it, too. A beautifully chosen box of four cheeses can often feel more appealing than a very large selection, and ensures every cheese is enjoyed and appreciated.
What to include alongside the cheese
Crackers
Cheese needs something with crunch. Crackers add texture to the cheeseboard and, chosen well, can complement the character of the cheese without competing with it.
Our Snowdonia Cheese Co crackers are made with cheeseboard pairings in mind. Wholemeal & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Crackers are a robust choice for mature cheeses, while Fig & Cranberry Crackers bring a touch of fruitiness that works particularly well with richer styles. Spelt & Sea Salt Crackers are light and crisp, pairing beautifully with a wide range of cheeses.
Chutneys
A jar of chutney instantly makes a cheese gift feel more complete. Try something rich and savoury, such as Balsamic Caramelised Onion Chutney, or bring in a fruitier contrast with Fig & Apple or Pear, Date & Cognac. Hot Honey is another good addition if your recipient enjoys a little sweetness and heat with their cheese.
Accompaniments
A few extras can turn the contents of the box into a cheeseboard they can put straight on the table. Nuts travel well and add plenty of crunch. A jar of olives or cornichons is another easy choice, with their sharp, briny flavour cutting through richer cheeses nicely. For an extra layer of indulgence, explore our collection of festive artisan treats from our guest producers, such as quince paste, wild boar terrine and Ibérico hand-carved ham.
There’s no need to fill every spare inch. Choose accompaniments that add something different and leave the cheese as the star of the box.
How to present your cheese selection box
The presentation can be as simple or elaborate as you like. A wicker basket makes a classic Christmas hamper and can be reused afterwards, while a sturdy gift box is easier to wrap and transport.
Place everything in scrunched tissue paper to keep the contents secure, then finish with ribbon if you want to make it feel more festive. A handwritten gift note is a lovely final touch – especially if you’ve chosen particular cheeses because you know they’re favourites.
If you’re assembling the box in advance, remember that the cheese and some accompaniments will need to stay chilled, so leave the final packing until close to the time you’re giving it.
Snowdonia have done the hard work for you
If sourcing every part of a cheeseboard separately sounds like one Christmas job too many, our gift boxes and hampers already have the pairings sorted.
The Cheese Bakes Night In Selection is made for a cosy evening at home. At its heart are Black Bomber Welsh Rarebit Cheese Bake and Rock Star Cheese & Wine Bake, ready to heat and serve for dunking. They come with Black Bomber, Rock Star, two chutneys and Fig & Cranberry Crackers.
For a box packed with Snowdonia Cheese Co favourites, the Cheese, Chutney, Cracker & Black Bomber Bake Gift Box contains eight bestselling products. Four waxed truckles are joined by chutneys, crackers and a Black Bomber Welsh Rarebit Cheese Bake, giving its lucky recipient everything they need for a very good cheeseboard.
Or make a bigger entrance with the Quintessential Cheese Hamper. Five award-winning cheeses sit alongside two chutneys and Wholemeal & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Crackers, all presented in a reusable slate-blue wicker hamper.
You can add a gift message to your order and choose your delivery date, so your cheese gift can arrive straight at their doorstep in time for Christmas.
A great cheese selection box is all about choosing cheeses with enough contrast, then adding a few accompaniments that make them shine. Put your own together for someone you know inside out, or let us take care of the matchmaking with a Snowdonia Cheese Co gift box or cheeseboard selection – with the cheeses and pairings chosen and packed for you.