For families navigating food allergies, holiday desserts require a bit more planning, but they don’t need to steal the joy. When ingredients are clear and cross contact is considered, dessert becomes something everyone can enjoy.
That’s why creating an allergy-friendly dessert board is one of my favorite ways to take control during the holiday season. It’s festive and flexible, visually appealing, fun to eat, and most importantly, safe.
I put together this sweet Christmas charcuterie board for my 11 year old son’s holiday party. Everything on the board was appropriate for the food allergies we were managing.
If you are hosting this holiday season, or bringing a dish to share, this post will walk you through how to build a sweet Christmas charcuterie board that feels fun, inclusive, and realistic for allergy families.
Why a Christmas Charcuterie Board Works for Allergy Families
Holiday desserts are where allergy families often feel the most excluded. Cookies, brownies, candy, and homemade treats are rarely labeled and often contain multiple allergens.
A Christmas charcuterie board solves several problems at once.
First, you control the ingredients. You know exactly what is on the board and how it was prepared. Second, boards like this are naturally customizable. You can adapt them for nut-free, sesame-free, soy-free, egg-free, dairy-free, or gluten-free needs without it feeling restrictive. Third, they are visually exciting. Kids gravitate toward them without feeling like they are eating “different” food.
For many allergy families, hosting is actually easier than attending someone else’s event. When you host, you remove uncertainty and reduce the need for constant vigilance. A dessert board like this is a simple way to create something safe that still feels special.
Planning an Allergy-Friendly Christmas Charcuterie Board
Before shopping or assembling your board, decide what it is meant to be.
This board is:
• Sweet, not savory
• Designed for kids
• Allergy-friendly and transparent
• A complement to other party food, not the entire menu
Once that is clear, planning becomes straightforward. Stick with brands you already trust, read labels every time, and avoid trying new products right before a party.
What’s on This Sweet Christmas Charcuterie Board
This board focuses on simple items that look festive without requiring complicated preparation.
Candy Canes
Candy canes are an easy holiday staple. They add instant Christmas flair and color to the board. As always, labels were checked to ensure they were appropriate for the allergies we were managing.
Marshmallows Dipped in Chocolate
Large marshmallows were dipped in Vermont Nut Free white melting chocolate and finished with Vermont Nut Free sprinkles. This is one of the easiest ways to elevate a simple ingredient while keeping it allergy-conscious.
Pretzel Rods Dipped in Chocolate
Pretzel rods add crunch and balance to a sweet board. These were dipped in Vermont Nut Free white melting chocolate and topped with Vermont Nut Free sprinkles as well. They are easy to grab and help break up the softer textures on the board. These were completely gobbled up by my son and his friends. We even made more the next day!
Sweet Loren’s Cookies
Sweet Loren’s cookies are a reliable, allergy-friendly option that still feels indulgent. They are familiar to many families and easy to serve alongside other treats. Plus, you simply open the package, place them on a baking sheet, and pop them in the oven. No prep required.
Strawberries
Strawberries add freshness, Christmas color, and a fruit option to the board. A dairy-free whipped topping or whipped cream can easily be added on top if you want to make “Santa hats”. I was looking for a purely healthy option to add to the board, so we kept as is.
Dove Chocolates
I also included Dove chocolates on this board. These chocolates are not dairy-free, but they are made in a nut-free facility, which was important for our group.
Allergy Transparency Matters
One of the most important parts of allergy-friendly hosting is transparency, not perfection.
For this board, I planned around the allergies we were actually managing at this party: nuts, sesame, soy, and egg. Every item was chosen intentionally with those allergens in mind.
The melting chocolate and sprinkles used are from Vermont Nut Free. These products are made in a nut-free facility, but they are not dairy-free.
I also included Dove chocolates, which are not dairy-free but are made in a nut-free facility. Since no one attending the party had a dairy allergy, this was an appropriate choice for our guest list.
Allergy-friendly does not mean every item meets every possible restriction. It means knowing which allergens you are managing, choosing products intentionally, and being clear about what is being served. That clarity allows parents to make quick, confident decisions and helps kids enjoy the party without added stress.
How to Customize This Board for Other Allergies
One of the biggest advantages of a Christmas charcuterie board is how easy it is to customize.
To make this board gluten-free, simply use gluten-free pretzel rods. They dip and decorate the same way and provide the same salty crunch.
To make the board dairy-free, use dairy-free melting chocolate for dipping marshmallows and pretzels rods. Enjoy Life chocolate works well for dipping and decorating.
With those substitutions, this board can easily be gluten-free and dairy-free, while still avoiding nuts, sesame, soy, and egg.
The structure stays the same. You’re not redesigning the idea, just swapping ingredients. That flexibility is what makes boards like this such a practical option for allergy families. If you’re looking for more ideas for your family with food allergies, my post on ingredient swaps can help you navigate your family’s specific allergies.
Hosting With Food Allergies, Why Control Matters
Hosting can feel intimidating, but for allergy families, it is often the safest option.
When you host:
• You choose the brands
• You set food boundaries
• You reduce uncertainty
• Your child can relax, and so can you
A dessert board like this is a low-pressure way to offer something festive without overcomplicating the menu.
When You’re Not Hosting, Communication Is Key
When you’re heading to someone else’s home, a little planning goes a long way. Ask what will be served, communicate food allergies clearly, and offer to bring one or two safe options.
This is what that looks like for our family this year.
For Christmas Eve at my mom’s house, we’re bringing a fruit salad and dessert, a gingerbread cake. She’s serving turkey, cranberry sauce, green beans, and roasted potatoes, all foods that are safe for our kids. As usual, dessert tends to be the trickiest part, which is why we handle that piece ourselves.
For Christmas Day, my husband picked up some À La Mode ice cream, so our kids can enjoy their favorite holiday dessert. My mother-in-law will be serving appetizers that aren’t completely safe for our children, so we’ll bring a few alternative snacks. Steak is planned for dinner, and we’ll bring two side dishes, homemade mac & cheese and roasted carrots, to make sure there’s plenty our kids can eat comfortably. A fruit salad will also be available as a dessert option.
Clear communication removes uncertainty and allows everyone, kids and adults, to relax and enjoy the holiday.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about following a holiday trend. It’s about creating a dessert option that feels safe, festive, and realistic for your family.
Whether you’re hosting, attending a party, or planning something small at home, a setup like this gives you control without taking the joy out of the season.
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