Valentine’s Day, chocolate, and conversation hearts have always gone hand-in-hand. So it should come as no surprise that candy-themed charcuterie boards are trending as, literally, the sweetest way to celebrate V-Day this year. The trendy spin on traditional meat-and-cheese boards can include anything and everything–from gummy bears to cookies to heart-shaped chocolates, with little-to-no fuss, mess, or prep time.
“A candy charcuterie board is a perfect way to say Happy Valentines Day!” says Melene Klentos, owner of Sugar Pop OC, a custom candy box company in Anaheim, Calif. “It offers a variety of unwrapped candy arranged in a pattern by color to suit a theme or a special occasion. Specific candies can be selected to fit the desires of the guests. It can be made small or large. Each board is a unique and fantastic way to get creative. Besides, who doesn’t love candy?!”
The best part? You don’t need to be Martha Stewart to build an Insta-worthy board at home. All you need is a whole lot of candy and a little bit of creativity. “What makes a candy board so easy for anyone to tackle is that it is error-proof,” says Klentos. “Candies can easily be moved around, replaced, and rearranged until the perfect combination is achieved.”
Here, Klentos shares her top five tips for creating a DIY candy charcuterie board for Valentine’s Day.
1. Think of a theme
“Creating a theme gives the board purpose and direction.,” says Klentos. “If a holiday or special occasion is not the reason for a candy board, then create unity on the board by selecting a color palette.”
2. Get organized
“Neatly-stacked candy showcases the candy varieties and is more appealing to the eye,” she says. “A well-organized charcuterie board shows better than random piles of candy. Candy placement is what makes a beautiful display.”
3. Embrace color
“Organizing a board by color also creates visual appeal,” says Klentos. “Use various shades of the same color or select contrasting color schemes that are compatible. The board has a tendency to appear messy if color placement is not taken into consideration.”
4. More is more
“Fill the board up!” she says. “Stack, layer, and pack the candy tightly. The goal is to have no gaps show through–a sea of candy!”
5. Don’t be afraid to splurge
“Use the freshest and highest quality candy your budget can afford,” says Klentos. “After all, what is the point of a pretty candy board if the candy isn’t as good as it looks?”
Did you make your own V-Day candy charcuterie board? Show us on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus–and score more sweet styles from our Spring Fashion shop!
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