How to Make Your Own Holiday Cheese Gift Basket

Start With the Cheese

Cheese is an appealing appetizer, a scrumptious snack, and popular at any meal. Cabot’s Seriously Sharp Cheddar is the foundation of any great gift basket. From there you can add more of your favorite Cabot Cheddars like Vermont Sharp, Extra Sharp or even specialty options like our 3 Year Cheddar, or Alpine Cheddar. They’re all great additions to your basket.

Go Nuts

Whether you like pistachios or pumpkin seeds, walnuts or pecans, spiced or honey roasted, nuts are another element to elevate your gift basket game. One of our favorites is Marcona Almonds from Mitica.

Meet the Meat

Smoked and cured meats add a delicious dimension to your gift basket. Our friends at Vermont Salumi have a yummy selection of cured meats that pair perfectly with Cabot cheese. A savory summer sausage or small smoked ham would be welcome in a gift basket.

Spread the Love

Our Vermont friends at Blake Hill Preserves and Butterfly Bakery of Vermont make a variety of sweet and savory spreads that are an essential part of any cheese board! Choose a couple of your favorite spreads or condiments to compliment the other gift basket goodies.

Crack ‘em Up

What’s a foodie gift basket without crackers, biscuits or cookies? A crisp little vessel to go with sliced cheese is just what your cheese gift basket needs. We like to share our local Vermont-made crackers and cookies that pair incredibly well with Cabot cheese. Search for local brands in your area!

Add a Little Sweetness

The sharp flavor of Cabot cheddar is enhanced when a drizzle of sweetness is added. Local honey is a lovely complement to your cheese gift basket. Or you might consider adding rich maple syrup to the mix. Many Cabot farmers, like Richardson Farm, also make some of the world’s finest maple syrup from trees on their farms.

Last (but not least) Libations

You can’t go wrong including some celebratory beverages in your holiday gift basket. Ellison Estate Vineyard make red and white wine from Vermont-grown grapes that pair perfectly with Cabot cheddars. If you’re looking for beer to include, we love our B Corp neighbors at Lawson's Finest Liquids and the popular alcohol-free beer from Athletic Brewing – they both make some of the best beer around. If spirits are more what you had in mind, our friends at Bar Hill in Vermont make this gift-able gin distilled from honey.

Wrap It Up

 

It doesn’t have to be in a basket. Whether you bring a bottle of wine and a block of cheese in a pretty gift bag or go all out with an extravagant basket, remember that the presentation as well as the contents should be memorable. Take time to find the perfect container – a vintage milk crate, a colorful colander, or a massive mixing bowl – for your gift. Look for something unusual and distinctive to hold all your holiday gift goodies. Wrap it all up in holiday cellophane or even a holiday themed dishtowel. Adding fresh sprigs of evergreen or herbs will make this gift basket come together and be the perfect gift.

There are so many ways to create a beautiful and unforgettable holiday gift basket. Start with a delectable selection of Cabot cheese and then let your creative juices run.

Cabot also offers an exciting array of gift boxes and cheese accessories for any occasion - from our favorite cheeses, to full-blown charcuterie board selections, to fun Cabot merch. Explore Cabot's online store for DIY gift basket items and ideas.

Happy holidays from the farm families who own Cabot. We wish you all the joy, health, and love of the season.