Perfect for Weddings, Parties, or Gifts
Graze boxes and charcuterie boards are all the rage right now. But have you priced them out? Yikes! A mini graze box can start at $35! So when we wanted to have individual charcuterie boxes at my sister’s wedding, we got creative and made our own mini graze boxes for the appetizer hour. So today I’m dishing up all the details, including the supplies you’ll need and where to buy them, so you can create your own for a fraction of the price.
Keep reading or just scan this post to see the highlights and find out how much each box costs to produce.
A Wedding in Pandemic Days
Friends, I think I’ve finally recovered from my sister’s wedding. We still don’t have the photos back and I didn’t take any myself, so I can’t yet show you which dress I wore. But it’s one of the ones I shared in this post on finding a mother-of-the-bride dress that won’t make you look old.
It was a beautiful day and actually, it was a relatively stress-free planning process, once we finally found a caterer to serve such a small number of people.
My sister and her husband requested a charcuterie board for appetizers but even though there were under 50 guests and most of us were family, we wanted to serve food safely in these pandemic days. Plus, of those 50-ish attendees, over a dozen were kids. We all know how they like to put their sticky fingers on a piece of fruit then put it back. 😉
We decided to do individual charcuterie plates on these adorable disposable wooden plates but since we were preparing them ourselves, we wanted to be able to prepare them a day in advance. So, the idea to create individual charcuterie boxes was born.
These mini graze boxes were a favorite of wedding guests. Honestly, between these and the ice cream cart, I’d say we hit it out of the park.
All Hands on Deck for a Graze Box Party
Or as my mom kept calling them, Chartooterie Boxes ;-D
Once I sourced out all the materials to make them, it all came together fairly easily. Well, that and having all hands on deck to assemble them the day before the wedding. We even employed the groom and my brother to put the finishing touches on. You can see my brother measuring string with the precision of the perfectionist he is and my dad was on the clean-up crew…he cleaned up overages. 😉
And boy, did the 13 foot island in our every come in handy for this! See the remodel details here.
NOTE I have the best friends who helped me by putting 55 boxes together the week before the wedding and offering up refrigerator space to keep the finished boxes chilled until go-time. Thank you, Ladies!
I am so smitten with these lovely little boxes that I’ve since made them as thank you gifts to those friends, their spouses, and my neighbor who gives me organic eggs. Which brings me to today’s post, these make GREAT GIFTS!
If you’d like to make your own for upcoming holiday gifts for neighbors and friends, I’m sharing a few pointers and sources for the materials that make the job a whole lot easier.
Dry Goods You’ll Need to Create Mini Graze Boxes
Boxes or containers. Our boxes were 7” x 7” but we could have gotten away with these slightly smaller ones. You could also think outside the “box” 😉 and use food-prep containers too. If you’re making these for a large group as we did, ordering boxes from a place like Mr. Takeout Bags proved to be a bit more cost-effective even with shipping. But if I were making them for gifts, these boxes are great.
Small cups and even smaller cups are good for dips, sauces, or to simply give a few items in the box structure. TIP Place structured items in the box first, then add in the things that need support to stand like meats, loose nuts, etc.
Small cellophane bags for specialty items and to keep crackers fresher while still creating a pleasing presentation.
Tissue Paper or deli paper to line the box to keep the oils and juices from the food from seeping through the cardboard too quickly. Had we done fewer boxes I might have gotten decorative tissue paper.
Utensils. We added these cute compostable wooden utensils to the box so guests wouldn’t have to grab them. Although we did it for safety’s sake, they add such charm to the presentation.
String or ribbon to tie the boxes for presentation.
Decorative stickers, napkins, herbs, flowers, etc. to adorn the outside of the box. Herbs would look great inside the box as well. We left the herbs off the ones for the wedding because we were stacking them overnight. But for gift-giving, be creative.
What to Put in Your Boxes
As I said earlier, our boxes were possibly overfilled for an appetizer box. However, consider it like a very tiny charcuterie board and include:
- Cheese 2-3 kinds; soft & hard varieties
- Smoked Meats; 2-3 choices
- Crackers
- Cookies – we used mini gingersnaps based on this recommendation.
- Fruits – fresh & dried
- Nuts
- Olives
- Chocolate
- Optional – spreads like fig jam, Pepper-bacon jam, lemon curd, etc.
*We added a cup of fruit dip but in hindsight, we didn’t need it.
Meats
We kept meat super simple and used smoked deli ham from Aldi, delicious Citterio salami from Costco, and summer sausage.
Cheese
Our favorite Amish country meat and cheese market sells the best sharp aged-cheddar, but once again, Aldi has a wonderful aged cheddar. Then we chose Spanish Manchego cheese, for its Parmesan-like flavor and attractive rind along with cubed Swiss, to be extra.
I also made these mini goat cheese truffles that were so yummy and looked very pretty in the boxes. (I told you we did too much.)
Crackers
One thought on crackers: Aldi has great distinctive party crackers and if I had it to do it all over again I’d stick to these instead of shopping for specialty crackers. But I’ve also recently found these olive oil and sea salt crackers from Town House and holy-yum – delicious!
Fruit
Wash and dry fruit well so it doesn’t make the box soggy.
Everything Else
Have fun with the extras. If you like particular combinations of cheeses and spreads include that spread or skip it altogether. Put your touch on it.
And don’t forget some special chocolate. Because who doesn’t love that!
add special chocolate 
disposable wooden utensils add something special
Don’t Forget the Kids
We also customized boxes for all those kiddies. All meats were the same, but we used milder cheeses, M&Ms in place of fancy chocolates, a GoGourt, butter crackers, and a bag of goldfish.
Tips for Creating Individual Grazing Boxes Enmass
First let me say, it would be difficult to do more than 50-ish boxes. The refrigerated storage need alone would be problematic but it’s not impossible. Here are a couple of tips to help you get to create multiple charcuterie boxes at once.
Source and purchase everything out ahead of time. This post will help you with the supplies.
Put your boxes together. All boxes arrive flat and will need to be folded and assembled. A friend did this for me the week before.
Buy the meats, cheeses, crackers, and less-perishable items the week before.
Slice the cheeses a few days ahead and store them in airtight containers.
Fold or roll meats a day or so ahead and store them in airtight containers. (Not necessary but very helpful.)
Wrap crackers in plastic wrap or use small cellophane baggies ahead of time if you’re not planning on giving your charcuterie boxes immediately. The crackers will become stale if unwrapped and refrigerated too long.
Buy fresh fruit the day before and wash it so that it will be dry when you place it in the box.
Plan to give these within a day of making them unless you’re going to use a box that can be better sealed, like these food-prep containers.
What Is the Cost?
I tried to keep track of costs as best I could as I was also buying other wedding things at the same time, but by my estimate, each box costs an average of $5 to $8 dollars for everything. That’s a far cry for $35 to $45 for the mini graze boxes I’ve seen online.
NOTE The actual cost is probably slightly lower as many of the dry good supplies were bought in bulk quantity and I simply divided the total cost by 55 boxes instead of pricing each cup, sticker, box, etc.
Had I simplified the box a bit and not overdone, I could have definitely could have gotten the cost down even more. Costco and Aldi are wonderful resources for high-quality, moderate-cost ingredients.
Mini Graze Boxes are Perfect for Gifts, Picnics, or Just Because
We all get so many cookies and sweets during the holidays, but I’d love to get one of these savory grazing boxes myself. Which gives me another idea for them.
How romantic would it be to go on a date with your love and pull out a couple of these boxes as your meal? No picnic basket required!
If you decide to create your own mini graze boxes, I hope you enjoy them as much as our family and friends did.
Hugs,
Things You Might Need…
omg, this looks so delicious. what a fabulous post! thanks for the tips!
Author
Thanks. We were all so pleased with how they turned out and guests were pretty impressed.
Had to read this post twice because it was so Nice. You did a Great job setting up these boxes and I am ready to try making a few. Thanks a Bunch Paula.
XO
Author
You’re welcome Neti! Have fun with it. Your friends will be so impressed. 😃
Hugs,
Paula
This is such a lovely and thoughtful idea! What a great idea for numerous small gatherings or for gifts!
Thank you for all the details and photos! Very helpful.
Author
I’m glad you liked it Beth. My friends kept telling me how great they were too.
I can personally attest to these Chartooterie boxes. Also note that Dad was not helping, he was himself just “grazing” in that photo.
Author
Well, he helped clean up
overages. 😂
Oh my goodness, Paula!! What a fantastic idea for the holidays (and other occasions as well)! I am sure anyone who received the boxes you made up loved them, because I know I would! There are always “those” people on my Christmas gift list who you exchange presents with, yet have everything and need nothing. Your box idea will be perfect for them! I can start brainstorming now and I’ll be ready when the time comes!
Can’t wait to see pictures of the wedding- and the dress you wore. I’m sure it was a wonderful day, despite the restrictions put in place. I think any event that has taken place this year, or will take place, is memorable just for having it- we are great at managing through any crisis! 2020- the year of making lemonade out of lemons!!
Hugs,
Donna
Author
Oh good Donna. Your friends will be so impressed 😉 I guarantee it!
❤️ Paula
Love this!
Author
Thanks Kristen. I was just talking to my mom and she said “that was the most fun day”; speaking of the day we put them together. It was really a “party” and the first time in years or maybe ever, I can remember all my siblings working on a project together.
Author
Thank you! We have a friend who is a Nortre Dame trained chef and once we worked on a fund raiser together and she did a charcuterie buffet with almost entirely Aldi cheeses. Delish!
This is a really great idea! I really do like aldi cheeses and specialty meats nd they are. Great price. Well done!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom
Author
I agree… Aldi cheeses are the best. I used their little goat cheese rolls to make the mini goat cheese balls.
These are just awesome Paula! But what I especially love is hearing your Mom’s version of chartooterie as my Mom always put her own special spin on new words and kept us laughing. It’s a good memory for this reader. ❤️
Author
Aww! We definitely laughed our heads off about it and can now longer say it the correct way. We also say “jul-a-pina”instead of jalapeño because of her too. What makes it extra funny is that she’s so serious when she says it. 🤣
Oh my…. these are ADORABLE!!!! Will you make me some! Such cute gifts! XO
Author
They really are GREAT GIFTS! Or how fun would it be to have a little party with these boxes?
xo
Paula
Too cute! Did you do anything with the apples to keep them from browning? Just curious how they held up because I want to try this.
Author
Thanks Jennifer. Yes, we soaked them salt water or lemon water and then rinsed and dried them well. They will still not be completely white and not last super long, but should surely last a day or two depending on the apple type.
And we washed/soaked the strawberries in a little white vinegar water because I read that they would last longer if all bacteria were washed away (of course). I could not find any good looking strawberries to start with so we were hoping the would still look moderately decent the next day.
I am planning on making about 60 of your boxes but getting really anxious on whether I can do it for my daughter’s baby shower. If I prep the food and boxes ahead of time, did you fill the boxes day of the wedding and how long did it take? Thank you, and any other suggestions you can provide me!
Author
Hi Susan,
We actually did it the afternoon beforehand. However, we used all of the refrigerator space available at our house and a completely empty side-by-side fridge at a friend’s house to keep them chilled until go-time.
If you have the actual boxes/containers already assembled, the food prepped, and a few friends, my guess it would take you a couple of hours depending on how fancy you want to make them as far as tying them with ribbon and how many friends you have to help.
Best of luck. I hope it all works out. You will be a huge hit!
Your site is great! Ideas, hints and links are helpful. You put a lot of effort into this and I am totally benefiting. Thanks so much 🥰
Author
Thanks Judy!
I’ve been wanting to do the boards for a while, but they are kinda bulky and clunky and dont store very well with alot of food on them. I am soooo glad I stumbled across your site through pinterest and such fantastic ideas! So thorough and informative !
I am curious.. how much do you charge for an individual box? Do they get a discount if they purchase multiples? I guess that’s where I get stuck is the pricing.
Again… thank you so much
Love & Blessings
Sharon
Author
Hey Sharon! I don’t sell them, we just made them fit my sisters wedding. But from the little bit of research I did it looked like an I dub usual box could start at $25 each. However, maybe if someone’s order was large enough, they would offer package discounts.
Hope that helps.
Paula
Love these tips! Thank you! Doing this for a social distancing 1 year old birthday party! Also, love that you added the idea for kiddos! Perfect!
Author
this makes me so happy. The kids felt so special with their own box! Let me know how it goes.
Hugs,
Paula
Really nice your post we also did that for my niece gender reveal and I love it and every one
You did great and also we involve all the family in the production
Agreed with you Costco is great thanks for the tip about ALDI I just bought chocolates in Frankfurt and never visit here
Was great your box
Author
Thank you Emilia!
If making 50 of the size you had do you have a list of how much to purchase
I’m looking for a guideline per box
Author
I’m sorry for the delayed response Yvette! I don’t remember exactly, but I think what I did was well beforehand, purchase a small quantity of what I wanted in the boxes and make one up to look the way I wanted it. From there, I calculated approximately how much I would need for the total number of boxes.
Hope that helps.
This is SOOO right up my alley! I love that you’ve used easily accessible goods too!
BTW, we call them SHARKSHOOTERY but I like your mum’s version too!
Author
“sharkshooterie” 🤣😂🤣
Thank you so much for such great ideas! Your boxes are beautiful!
Author
Thanks Pam. They were so well received!
Author
Thank you Pam. I look at the pictures and still can’t believe how pretty they turned out.
How many people per box for a happy hour snack?
Author
We did one box per person at this size but it was really too much. So I’d say if you use the 7” box you could with do 2 per box or put less inside.
Best,
Paula
thanks for sharing. Im going to make a few for my daughter’s coworkers. any tips on transporting them? and how long they can sit unrefrigerated?
Author
That’s a great idea. It would depend on how many you’re making. We kept them refrigerated overnight and then transported them in large Rubbermaid tubs. You could just add some ice packs (or dry ice) to the tubs or if you have a large rolling cooler that would work. You would obviously have less concern about refrigeration if the weather is cool outside. 😁
Best,
Paula
This is awesome. I’m thinking about doing this for Mother’s Day at our church. Thank you for sharing it looks amazing!!
Author
That would be so lovely for Mother’s Day! I can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Hugs,
Paula