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

Finger food doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's offers a great opportunity to clear the decks. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. People are looking for a big hug of hearty fare with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on blinis and top it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, mix it through creamy potatoes, combine with dill, lemon, and fried leeks, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or mushrooms for the interior. Blitz stale bread into crumbs to coat them, then fry. Savoury pastry mixtures are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. For flavour, just add a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make excellent coatings, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and assemble sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Slice into small squares for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be turned into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's ideal for something punchy. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with leftover cranberry sauce thinned with citrus juice, a spoonful of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Mix all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate flour. Stamp out portions to about the size of small rounds, then keep in the icebox. Refresh in a hot oven for a short time and finish with whatever you like—perhaps roast beef and sharp horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.