This association between Europe and cheese makes hosting a European-themed party the perfect place to showcase some of your favourite cheeses. The first step is to narrow down which European country or region you want to focus on, from there you can plan which cheeses to serve and what kind of drinks, decor, and activities you want to include.

Here are some of our favourite ideas if you need inspiration:

Monaco

Just like Switzerland, Monaco is a small country with a big reputation. One thing that Monaco has that Switzerland lacks is a gorgeous Mediterranean climate. Nestled on the Riviera between France and Italy, Monaco has the best of both packed within its borders. It is renowned as a glamorous destination so any Monaco themed party should have a dress code and serve champagne. As for cheeses, a selection of Mediterranean favourites like halloumi, feta, pecorino, and goat’s cheese are a must.

To keep your guests entertained and to get the real Monaco feel, casino games are a must. Very few people have the time and space to set up actual table games in their homes. Instead, consider setting up tablets in various parts of the party space with different live casino games ready to play. Games like live blackjack online give the traditional casino feel since players are able to interact with a real dealer in real time. Having a few options lets your guests move from table to table, just like if they were wandering the Belle Époque hallways of the Casino de Monte-Carlo.

Switzerland

Besides chocolate and cheese, Switzerland is probably best known for its amazing skiing. A Swiss themed party is therefore better suited to fall or winter than the warmer months. A roaring fire, if possible could really help get the ski chalet feel going. If you want to get punny, you can specify that the dress code is neutral only.

Switzerland has a number of regional cheeses, some of which are already popular in the United States. Emmental, Appenzeller, and Gruyere are all classics that go well with most Swiss wines. If you want to make cheese the main event, consider serving raclette in the traditional style. Unlike fondue, raclette is melted on a flat grill. If the grill is large enough, you and your guests could also grill vegetables, slices of bread, and whatever else you’d like to smother in this beautifully nutty cheese.

France

There are so many possibilities for a French themed party that it really needs to be narrowed down. A Parisian party is perfect if you want a night that feels effortlessly cool and charming. Just because it’s France, don’t feel like you’re limited to wine - the country also produces a number of interesting aperitifs.

The options for cheeses to serve are almost limitless. You can’t go wrong with a classic cheese platter of French favourites. If you’d like something a bit more relaxed and unfussy, consider serving baguettes with chevre (or a mild camembert if your guests find chevre too ‘goaty’), topped with thin slices of Granny Smith apple drizzled with honey. The tartness of the apple and the sweetness of the honey add an extra depth to the earthy flavour of the cheese that your guests will love.

French New Wave cinema - the Nouvelle Vague - is the epitome of cool. You can make your party a movie night or just have some of the classics playing in the background with the subtitles off to add a bit of ambiance. If you’re not sure where to start, François Truffaut’s Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959), Jean-Luc Goddard’s Bande à part (1964), and Jacques Rivette’s Céline et Julie vont en bateau (1974) are essentials of the genre.

The possibilities for a European themed party don’t end here. The most important thing is to have a vision in mind and consider all of the aspects of the party, not just the food and drinks. The right entertainment, activities, music, and ambiance will make your theme come to life.