A trendy, edible gift for Mother’s Day

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 percent 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.

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

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■ 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.

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