Putting together the perfect Christmas cheeseboard can send even the most hardened cheese addict into a fromage frenzy of confusion.

You want to impress your guests with delicious, unusual and interesting cheeses – but it really doesn’t have to be stressful.

We've done the hard work for you and consulted Nick Copland of Homage2Fromage who has put together his top tips of curating a cracking Christmas cheeseboard.

Remember – there are no set rules for a festive cheeseboard, but as a guide it makes sense to have a variety of types, balanced with some favourites. 

Most people start with a good hard cheese, then add a goat’s or sheep’s cheese, maybe throw in something soft and white, adding a decent big blue (after all, it is Christmas) and then something a bit unusual. 

There's no right or wrong. Here's what Nick recommends...

The hard cheese

Cheddar is awesome, British and delicious.

I love Quicke's, Wookey Hole, Isle of Mull or Westcombe cheese. 

But for something a little more festive, you could try something a little more colourful with Sparkenhoe Red Leicester, or go continental with a stunning 24-month-aged Comté.

Goat’s and sheep’s cheese 

I recommend a Capricorn Goat’s cheese – soft and unctuous, but I also rate Ribblesdale cheese from Yorkshire too... because it's such treat. 

Ticklemore goat's cheese is a delight and the French Ossau-Iraty is a sheepish winner.

Washed rind cheese

Washed rind cheeses can be pretty stinky, but get past the smell and they are usually creamy and rich – you can try a festive orange Langres, or maybe a Stinking Bishop – if you can handle it.

Minger is also top of the list – from brilliant Scottish cheesemaker Highland Fine Cheeses.

The big soft white

Brie de Meaux is the classic as long as it is nice and ripe – so don’t be afraid to keep it out of the fridge in a relatively warm place before you tuck in. 

For an English brie, how about opting for a Baron Bigod, or Yorkshire’s organic Flat Capper?

The big blue

Colston Bassett is pretty darn good – crumbly, classic, robust and a whole mouthful of Christmas, however, I am really rather in love with a Wensleydale Blue.

Or you could go full-cream with Montagnolo Affine – a German cheese that tastes more Italian than Italian cheese.  

Finally – something unusual

This can be anything you like (even a Wensleydale with cranberries if you really must!) but try and be adventurous. 

For total cheeseboard impact, you can’t beat a Yorkshire Charcoal cheddar from Michael Lee Fine Cheese – pitch black but with a super-tasty cheddar flavour. Leafy cheese is also a showstopper – choose a Yarg (either the wild garlic one, or the good old nettle-leaf).

The wonderful thing about cheese is that it’s entirely personal to you, so if you love blue or can’t get enough cheddary cheese, don’t be afraid to have more than one on your cheeseboard. 

The diversity and uniqueness of cheese from different regions and countries mean that each cheese will have its own personality.

Homage2Fromage is holding a Harrogate Christmas Cheese Party from 7pm at Cold Bath Clubhouse on December 16. 

Tickets are normally £20.62 but Stray Ferret subscribers receive £5 off its cheese tasting events, click here to find out more.

For local news fans, The Stray Ferret offers an annual gift subscription.