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

Finger food needn't be elaborate, so New Year's presents a perfect chance to use up what's left. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. Guests are looking for a big hug of comfort food with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on mini pancakes and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also an ideal choice: If you have leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, combine with dill, lemon, and fried leeks, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Make the bechamel up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, poultry, or mushrooms for the interior. Whizz stale bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll mixtures are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. For flavour, all you need a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. Incidentally, buttery pastries make excellent crumbs, 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 freeze. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and sweet glaze in the fridge. When needed, thaw the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into small squares for a surefire hit.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a zingy salad. There’s always a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce thinned with citrus juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Transforming Remaining Veg

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and fit for a party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Combine all your remaining vegetables with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and add a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then store in the icebox. Refresh in a hot oven for a short time and top with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.