Instructions

• Drain the brine from all olives and any other pickled items.
• Cut your cheeses into uniform, bite-sized cubes.
• Prepare your meats by slicing sausages into rounds; halve any with larger diameters.
• Wash and prepare any fresh produce as necessary.
• Remove packaging from the styrofoam cone and carefully wrap it entirely in plastic wrap or food-safe cellophane, ensuring no styrofoam is exposed, especially on the bottom.
• Set the wrapped styrofoam cone on your charcuterie plate; optionally, spread melted cream cheese on the bottom for stability.
• Spread your ingredients on baking sheets and insert a toothpick through each piece, ensuring it's secure but a good portion remains exposed for guests.
• Attach ingredients to the tree piece by piece, starting from the bottom and working your way up.
• Create a bottom ring, then make a spiral of a "starter" item all the way up the tree, adding rows of other ingredients on either side, keeping them close to hide the cone.
• As you progress, end some lines of ingredients early, merge with others, and fill in any odd areas.
• Build the ingredients upwards towards the top, leaving only a small section at the very top open.
• Cut a thick slice of cheese or meat and use a cookie cutter or sharp knife to create a star shape.
• Affix the star to the top of the tree with one last toothpick, inserting it from the bottom of the star to hide it completely.
• If not serving immediately, wrap the finished tree with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve.