How to choose: Start with one or two savory dips. Something mild alongside a bolder flavor gives everyone a little variety. For an appetizer spread, allow about 2 tablespoons per person across all the savory dips you choose.

Put them in small bowls first, then arrange vegetables, crackers and bread nearby so everyone can see what goes together.

Remember… hummus comes in many different flavors! Choose your favorite from the selection available at your ALDI, or offer two contrasting flavors if hummus is going to be a main feature of your board.

How to choose: Two or three cheeses can give a small board plenty of personality. I would choose different textures and flavors… perhaps a firm cheddar, a soft cheese and something smoky or fruity.

Allow about 1 ounce of cheese per person for appetizers when you are including other foods. Increase that to about 2 to 3 ounces if the board is becoming the meal.

If your warm appetizers are already very cheesy, you can keep this section small. A little cheddar and one soft cheese may be all you want!

How to choose: Start with one cracker selection and one soft bread, or choose two crunchy options if that suits your foods better.

For appetizers, allow about 4 to 6 crackers per person or a similar portion of bread. If you serve both, divide that allowance between them. Keep extra crackers nearby so you can bring out more when needed.

Choose the bread that works with your dips. You don’t need pita, naan, garlic knots and pretzels on the same little board… but you have plenty of ways to change things up next time!

How to choose: One or two warm choices are a nice addition to a small board. For a larger gathering, offer another variety or simply make more of the favorites you already selected.

Allow about 1 to 2 small appetizer bites per person before a meal, or 3 to 4 when you are building a more substantial grazing spread. Adjust for the size of each item.

Prepare everything according to its package directions. I would serve the warm foods on their own little platter beside the cool dips and cheeses.

How to choose: Pick two or three extras with different flavors. Perhaps one olive, one stuffed pepper and a few marinated artichokes.

For appetizers, begin with about 1 tablespoon per person across these extras, then adjust for your olive lovers! Whole stuffed peppers can be portioned by the piece instead.

Small bowls keep marinades away from crackers and make these little additions easy to serve.

How to choose: Start with three or four fresh choices in different colors. For an appetizer spread, allow about ½ cup of prepared vegetables and fruit combined per person. Increase that to around 1 cup when the board is the meal.

Here is where you can make the whole arrangement look bright and inviting without complicated decorating.

Along with those little tomatoes, try a combination of:

• Red, yellow and orange pepper strips
• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Cucumber rounds
• Zucchini slices
• Small broccoli florets
• Cleaned and trimmed button mushrooms
• Cherry or grape tomatoes as another tomato option
• Grapes in little clusters
• Strawberries or other berries
• Apple or pear slices

You don’t need every color of pepper or every fruit in the produce aisle. Choose what your family likes, what looks fresh and what fits your budget.

Wash your produce and dry it well before arranging. Keep juicy fruit and damp vegetables away from the crackers so everything stays pleasant to eat.

A Little Italian Inspiration

And of course… we have to make room for fresh mozzarella and tomatoes! Add a few basil leaves and a little drizzle of olive oil, and you have a pretty Caprese inspired pairing. Keep it on a small plate beside the crackers so the juices stay where they belong.

You could also serve the tomatoes with burrata in a shallow dish, with bread nearby for scooping. Such a simple little combination… and such a lovely addition to the table!

A Whole Board Made from Vegetables

You could also make the vegetables the main event!

Imagine red, yellow and orange peppers, carrot and celery sticks, zucchini, mushrooms and broccoli gathered around a nice dip or hummus. A generous crudité platter can be so pretty… all those colors do much of the decorating for you.

Start with the vegetables you already have, then add a few favorites from the store. The total will depend on local prices and how many full packages you need to purchase, but it is a lovely option to price out when you want a simpler spread.

How to choose: One sweet option is plenty for a small gathering. Choose two if you would like a little dessert selection, and give them their own plate or corner of the table.

Allow about one small pastry per person after a meal, or one to two pieces for a grazing gathering. If you choose dessert dip, begin with about 2 tablespoons per person plus a few dippers.

If you are offering the cannoli dip, you can use some of your fruit here, too. Just account for those portions when you make your shopping list.