Step 1

Select a board or space on your counter or table that can act as your foundation. Arrange your meats in slices, rolls, or roses and arrange them near the border.

Step 2

Add a cheese next to each meat to continue to fill in the edges of the board. Add bowls of jams or other spreads to fill in the large holes.

Step 3

Fill any any remaining gaps with fruit, nuts, crackers, Valentine candy, or chocolate-covered strawberries. Layer and overlap when needed; step back to view the board from afar to spot any slim spots.

Step 4

Finish by tucking flowers or fresh herbs into any of those less-abundant spots, then add forks, cheese knives, spreaders, tongs, and other utensils where needed.