First, choose what type of board you want to use. I really love trays I can move around, but you may want one that fits your theme and is shaped differently. Make sure you are using one that is large enough to feed your guests.

Next, place the big items. The cheeses, the bowls of olives and fruit jams, the jar of honey, things that take up a lot of space. If you have a large bunch of grapes you don't want to break up, this is the time to place it. Oh, and don't forget your pumpkins!

Now add the meats. I like ruffling up prosciutto and making it wave around round bowls and cheeses. The salami can be turned into rose-shaped centerpieces or you can fold them and layer them, they are very maneuverable. Hard sticks of sausage, nduja, or salami can be cut on biases. Paté should be on a small plate.

Now add your fruit and crackers. I usually layer them amongst one another, with clusters of fruit here and there and waves of crackers or bread around them.

Now add your nibbles. The stuff you sprinkle around, like the chunks of dark chocolate, the roasted nuts, the little cookies. Fill up any empty spaces for that abundant look.

Now garnish. I love using fresh herbs especially during this time of year, since many edible flowers aren't blooming in fall and winter. Rosemary, sage, and thyme are very on theme here and they add a nice pop of color!