Forget gingerbread houses; it's all about the charcuterie this holiday season.

A while back, I walked you through how to create an elegant charcuterie board. Let's take it a step further for the holidays, shall we?

Dazzle your guests with a log cabin made out of cheese straws and garnished with imported deli meat. Keep reading for tips to create your own charcuterie chalet.

The Basics

Putting together a great display is almost as easy as assembling a commercial gingerbread house. Channel your inner third grader and visualize your project first. Is it a simple A-frame Craftsman, or are you going for a classic log cabin?

Gather up some sturdy carbs like pretzel sticks, crackers, or crostini for your base. Use a softened cream cheese for your cement, or a stiffer, spreadable cheddar pub cheese. If you want really clean lines, pipe the cheese on, don't just smear it on with a knife. If you don't have a piping bag, use a plastic sandwich bag with one corner snipped off.

Feeling nervous about the structural integrity of the final product? Prop the walls up around a block of cheese before you stick them together. You'll be surprised at how sturdy everything is once you get the roof on. For that, you want something light and flat, like a crisp flatbread, to serve as your base for some salami shingles.

Bring in fresh ingredients like broccoli to make shrubs. Red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds are great for a pop of red.

Once assembled, the chalet should be kept cold in the fridge so it doesn't collapse. Have some extra crackers and pretzels on the side, since the main structure is really just for show ... at least until everyone has taken their Instagram shots of it, of course.

What do you think of this tasty new trend? A little too fussy, or just right for your crowd? Sound off in the comments!