When it comes to entertaining for Mother’s Day, there are no set rules that say it has to be a multi-course meal. There’s something magical about serving a well thought out charcuterie board that will “wow” your guests. This year, I decided to invite my favourite family moms over for an intimate gathering.

One thing I have learned over the years, is that a beautiful presentation, good company, wine (or signature cocktail), fun conversation and a cozy tablescape is exactly what I want when entertaining. Toss in a giant charcuterie board packed to the brim, with a little dessert, and all your moms will be happily satisfied.

It’s so simple to host a charcuterie party like this one!

Follow these steps below and you’ll be on your way to an effortless Mother’s Day party your guests will LOVE!

Here’s how I put this together. The main meal at your party is the board, so you will need at least a 4 oz. serving of meat per person, a good assortment of crackers, breads, cheeses, dips, olives, fresh and dried fruits, berries, nuts and preserves.

Don’t be afraid to choose cheeses that are a bit decadent. I love tasting samples at the local cheese market counter. Always include a variety of soft and hard cheeses. Buy a nice mix of meats to fancy up your board as well. Some examples are prosciutto, smoked turkey, sopressata and mortadella.

Serve some red wine and a delicious spring signature drink, as well. I loved this Martha Stewart Pink Grapefruit Cocktail, which was a perfect choice for flavour and the colour scheme of the tablescape.

And speaking of tablescapes, I created a cozy and relaxed atmosphere by making a low table out of raw wood crates that you can find at any big box store.

Depending on how many guests you are entertaining, you can judge the amount of crates you will need to make the table a comfortable size. For six guests, I used nine crates. Toss around a few pillows in soft hues and add fluffy rugs for extra comfort and a fun look.

Blending with the mood board of soft pink, peach, lilac, coral and white, I made DIY placecards with 2″x 4″ inch marble tiles that were leftover from my kitchen renovation. I painted them with Martha Stewart Watercolor Craft Paints, to give them a wispy effect.

This was super easy to do, and your guests can take them home as a keepsake from the celebration. Fresh flowers and greenery! This truly was the easiest and prettiest part of the decor! Local markets always have a great assortment of fresh foliage at this time of the year.

If you live in a warmer climate, why not take advantage of fresh blooms off neighbouring trees? I chose some beautiful mums for the mums. Perfect selection for keeping within the theme of the day.

To contrast with the raw wood crates, I like to set the scene with formal tableware and glassware. There is nothing better than a pretty tablescape. I used an assortment of linen table runners, decorative items and vintage napkin rings to complete the look.

Don’t forget to allow the charcuterie board to be the centre of attraction on the table. Let your guests snack, drink and cheer all the moms today and everyday!