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What kinds of bite-sized appetizers can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas remaining food that will still feel special?

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's presents a perfect chance to clear the decks. The key rule is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. Guests are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a luxurious touch.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, layer it on blinis and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, combine with dill, citrus, and caramelized onions, then roll in panko and deep-fry.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Make the bechamel a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the filling. Whizz old bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then fry. Sausage roll fillings are another perfect use for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. For flavour, just add a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make superb coatings, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, reserve some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and start building sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be turned into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce thinned with citrus juice, a dash of soy and a little chilli oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the freezer. Refresh in a hot oven for a few minutes and finish with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.