Every Mother’s Day is an opportunity to show your mom just how special she is and how grateful you are for all she does. Make her day with a present that wraps the personal touch of a handmade craft and the novelty of a quirky trend into one unforgettable gift.
This year, upgrade your usual flower fare with an arrangement that’s beautiful and delicious: a California cheese bouquet. Customizable with ingredients tailored to fit your loved one’s tastes, these thoughtful gifts combine cheeses, berries, herbs and more wrapped together for a perfect Mother’s Day celebration centerpiece and gift with an artsy (and thoughtful) touch.
Created by cheesemonger Jessica Lawrenz, these easy-to-follow crafts for a Classic Cheese Bouquet or a California Bounty Cheese Bouquet call for wholesome cheese made with 100% sustainably sourced Real California Milk from dairy farm families. For best results, use medium-bodied cheeses that can be easily skewered without softening up at room temperature.
Find additional cheese bouquet inspiration and more recipes to celebrate Mother’s Day by visiting realcaliforniamilk.com.
![](https://d2z0g7klazfonw.cloudfront.net/production/additional_images/18792/15724-detail-image-embed1.jpg?1619036967)
Classic Cheese Bouquet
Craft courtesy of Jessica Lawrenz (@mongermoldandmilk)
- Real California White Cheddar Cheese
- Real California Brie Cheese
- Salumi or Salami (thinly sliced)
- Goldenberries
- Lemonquats
- Mini apples
- Mini artichokes
- Rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Wax flowers
Tools:
- Knife
- Floral foam block
- Plastic wrap
- Vase or bouquet paper
- Flower cookie cutters (various sizes)
- U-shaped toothpicks
- Wooden skewers
- Toothpicks
- Floral tape
- Ribbon or twine
- Using knife, cut floral block into shape that fits inside vase. If using bouquet paper, use base at least 3 inches across and 4 inches high.
- Wrap floral block in plastic wrap to keep from touching items in bouquet; place inside vase. If using bouquet paper, place wrapped floral block in mug to keep from falling over.
- Use various cookie cutters to prepare cheeses as flowers.
- To create salumi roses, lay out 4-5 slices salumi overlapping one another. Fold row in half and roll into rose bud, securing with u-shaped toothpick. Place on skewer, add herb leaves and use floral tape to secure ends of toothpick to skewer. Repeat.
- Skewer cheeses, salumi roses, goldenberries, lemonquats, mini apples and mini artichokes.
- To assemble, start in center with larger items. Use shorter skewers or toothpicks to secure smaller items closer to edges.
- Use rosemary, bay leaves and wax flowers to fill gaps in back of bouquet.
- To wrap: Once finished, gently lay block with skewers on top of paper, wrap and secure with tape and ribbon.
![](https://d2z0g7klazfonw.cloudfront.net/production/additional_images/18794/15724-detail-image-embed2.jpg?1619036968)
California Bounty Cheese Bouquet
Craft courtesy of Jessica Lawrenz (@mongermoldandmilk)
- Real California White Cheddar
- Real California Smoked Jalapeno Cheddar
- Real California Brie Cheese
- Salumi or Salami (thinly sliced)
- Lemonquats
- Mini apples
- Fresh figs
- Green grapes
- Goldenberries
- Dried apricots
- Mini artichokes
- Rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Olive leaves
- Wax flowers
Tools:
- Knife
- Floral foam block
- Plastic wrap
- Vase or bouquet paper
- Flower cookie cutters (various sizes)
- U-shaped toothpicks
- Wooden skewers
- Toothpicks
- Floral tape
- Ribbon or twine
- Using knife, cut floral block into shape that fits inside vase. If using bouquet paper, use base at least 3 inches across and 4 inches high.
- Wrap floral block in plastic wrap to keep from touching items in bouquet; place inside vase. If using bouquet paper, place wrapped floral block in mug to keep from falling over.
- Use various cookie cutters to prepare cheeses as flowers.
- To create salumi roses, lay out 4-5 slices salumi overlapping one another. Fold row in half and roll into rose bud, securing with u-shaped toothpick. Place on skewer, add herb leaves and use floral tape to secure ends of toothpick to skewer. Repeat.
- Skewer cheeses, salumi roses, lemonquats, mini apples, fresh figs, green grapes, goldenberries, dried apricots and mini artichokes.
- To assemble, start in center with larger items. Use shorter skewers or toothpicks to secure smaller items closer to edges.
- Use rosemary, bay leaves, olive leaves and wax flowers to fill gaps in back of bouquet.
- To wrap: Once finished, gently lay block with skewers on top of paper, wrap and secure with tape and ribbon.
SOURCE:
Real California Milk