How to pick Christmas cheese for a cheeseboard

• Black Garlic Sheep's Cheese – Brand new in the Foodhall, this punchy mature cheese is infused with black garlic for deep umami and subtle caramel notes. Exclusively crafted for M&S by Quesos Navalmoral, it’s made with locally sourced sheep’s milk from Spain.

• Collection Blue Stilton Jar – Expertly produced in Leicestershire, this full-fat cheese is rich and creamy with a long-lasting savoury flavour. Presented in a reusable ceramic jar.

• Torta Di Gorgonzola – Crafted for M&S in Piedmont, Italy's most renowned cheese-making region, this blend combines the rich, tangy flavour of Gorgonzola Dolce with fresh, creamy mascarpone. Delicious with a drizzle of honey.

• Aged Goat's Gouda – Produced in the Netherlands and matured on spruce boards for 10 months, this hard cheese has deep caramel notes and a creamy finish.

The best Christmas Stilton

It wouldn’t be Christmas without some crumbly, rich Stilton. Our award-winning Collection Blue Stilton Jar deserves a prime spot on your board. This creamy cheese is made in Leicestershire by the experts at Long Clawson Dairy, who’ve been making cheese in the Vale of Belvoir for over 100 years. It’s presented in a beautiful ceramic jar, which keeps the cheese in perfect condition. Stilton pairs beautifully with sweet flavours – try our Festive Chutney or a drizzle of Collection Zambian Honey with Walnuts.

Moreish smoked cheddar

Adding a smoked cheese to your board will give it an extra flavour dimension. Try our Oak Smoked 2-Year-Old Cornish Cruncher Cheddar, which is typically matured for 24 months to let it develop natural crunchy crystals, then oak smoked for an intense, complex smoky flavour. It also makes for epic festive toasties come Boxing Day – layer up with leftover turkey, ham and a dollop of our Collection Bloody Mary Chutney then grill until golden and bubbling.

It’s not all about the cheese. Take your board to the next level with some irresistible accompaniments. Of course, you’ll need crackers, in a range of sizes, shapes and flavours, but think about adding a crusty baguette or even a wedge of Christmas cake, too. Add colour and flavour with fruits like grapes, figs and slices of apple and pear. Chutneys will add acidity and sweetness – try our spiced Festive Chutney, British Ale and Onion Chutney and Bloody Mary Chutney. A drizzle of honey also works a treat, particularly with goat’s cheese and blue cheeses. Add a touch of magic with alcohol-steeped fruit like our Collection Peaches in Cognac, or Quince Paste.

You’ve served up a crowd-pleasing Christmas cheeseboard, now what to do with all those odds and ends left in the fridge? How about a rich stilton, pear and walnut galette, drizzled with honey? Or a comforting bowl of caramelised onion and cheddar pasta? If you’ve got a crowd coming round for festive drinks, Tom Kerridge’s mini cheese and pineapple toasties will go down a storm, while this cheesy Brussels sprout gnocchi pie is a comforting one-pot that uses up taleggio, parmesan and cheesy biscuits. For something zingy to liven up your tastebuds after all the rich festive flavours, try this elegant clementine and burrata salad with candied walnuts, or a honey-roast apple, pear and chicory salad flecked with punchy gorgonzola.