A Friendsgiving Tradition and the Best Appetizer to Match
Before Friendsgiving even became a thing, my family celebrated something we called Pre-Giving. My parents divorced when I was younger, and we started hosting a dinner before Thanksgiving so we could still celebrate with my mom — whether we spent the actual holiday with her or not. Over time, we started inviting friends too, and it turned into one of those traditions everyone looks forward to.
This year, I made the cutest charcuterie cups for our Pre-Giving celebration — complete with Happy Pre-Giving 2025 labels — and when I tell you it looked catered, I mean it. These individual appetizer cups were gorgeous, easy to make, and everyone loved them.
Why Charcuterie Cups Are Perfect for Any Party
There are so many reasons to love charcuterie cups — they’re stylish, practical, and so easy to serve.
- They look next level. Guests will swear they came from a caterer.
- Everyone gets one of everything. No crowding around a messy board.
- No cleanup stress. The cups disappear when the snacks do.
- Perfect for both kids and adults. Grab, mingle, and snack — no plate or knife required.
How to Make Charcuterie Cups
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12–15 cups
Method: No-cook / Assembly
Cuisine: Appetizer / Party
Supplies
- Charcuterie cups (I use this set on Amazon — it includes toothpicks)
- Avery labels ( You can get them here on amazon. I used Happy Pre-Giving 2025 — printed easily through Avery Design Studio)
Ingredients
- Salted pistachios
- Cashews
- Firehook rosemary crackers
- Breadsticks (break in half if too tall)
- Assorted salami slices (I used a trio pack)
- Grape tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese cubes (I like Kerrygold or Old Croc)
- Blackberries
- Strawberries, halved
Instructions
- Print and apply your labels. Customize them in Avery Design Studio and stick to the front of each cup.
- Add the base. Start with pistachios and cashews at the bottom for crunch and color.
- Make your skewers:
- Salami skewer: Fold each salami slice in half twice and slide on 3 per skewer.
- Cheese & tomato skewer: One grape tomato and one cheddar cube.
- Berry skewer: Blackberry, half a strawberry, then another blackberry.
- Assemble the cups. Add crackers and breadsticks, then place all three skewers upright for a “catered” look.
- Serve and enjoy! Arrange on a tray or board — they’ll disappear fast.
Charcuterie Cup Ideas & Variations
- Swap cheddar for gouda, manchego, or mozzarella pearls.
- Add mini pickles, olives, or grapes for variety.
- Use pretzel sticks or veggie straws for a fun kid-friendly twist.
- Match your colors to the season — fresh berries for summer, figs or cranberries for the holidays.
Final Thoughts
These charcuterie cups are the ultimate grab-and-go party snack. They look catered, take minutes to assemble, and make guests feel extra special. Whether it’s Friendsgiving, Christmas, or your next family get-together, these little cups are the perfect mix of pretty and practical.
If you make it, tag me on Instagram @Meals.WithMaria — I’d love to see how it looks on your holiday table!
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Charcuterie Cups
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15 cups 1x
Description
These charcuterie cups are the easiest way to serve appetizers that look completely catered. Each cup includes nuts, crackers, breadsticks, and three cute skewers — salami, cheese with tomato, and berries — for a perfect mix of savory and sweet. They’re easy to assemble, mess-free, and ideal for holidays, Friendsgiving, or any party where you want guests to feel special without the stress of cleanup.
Ingredients
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15 charcuterie cups1
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1 cup salted pistachios
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1 cup roasted cashews
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1 box Firehook rosemary crackers (or any sturdy cracker)
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6-8 breadsticks, broken in half if too tall
-
45 toothpicks or mini skewers
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45 small slices of salami (folded twice, 3 per skewer)
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15 grape tomatoes
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15 cubes of cheddar cheese (I like Kerrygold or Old Croc)
-
30 blackberries
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8 strawberries, halved
-
Optional: printable labels (I used Avery design labels to say “Happy Pre-Giving 2025”)
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prepare cups: Add labels to each cup if desired.
-
Add base layer: Spoon a mix of pistachios and cashews into the bottom of each cup.
-
Build skewers:
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Salami skewer: Fold each slice in half twice and thread three pieces onto a skewer.
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Cheese & tomato skewer: Add one cheddar cube and one grape tomato.
-
Berry skewer: Add a blackberry, half a strawberry, and another blackberry.
-
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Assemble cups: Add a few crackers and half a breadstick to each cup, then insert all three skewers upright.
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Arrange and serve: Place the cups on a platter or tray for an elegant, catered look.
Notes
These cups can be assembled a few hours ahead; store covered in the refrigerator until serving.
Customize your cups! Try adding grapes, mini mozzarella balls, olives, or prosciutto.
If serving outdoors, chill ingredients beforehand so they stay fresh.
Great for both adults and kids — everyone gets a balanced snack.
- Prep Time: 25
- Category: appetizer
- Method: cold
- Cuisine: American
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