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

Party snacks needn't be elaborate, so New Year's presents a perfect opportunity to use up what's left. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—guests don't want to manoeuvre 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 blinis and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, fold it through creamy potatoes, combine with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then roll in panko and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or foraged fungi for the interior. Whizz old bread into crumbs to cover them, then fry. Sausage roll mixtures are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. For flavour, just add a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, croissants make superb crumbs, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and slice thinly, then lay on top of some artisan bread and assemble mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's ideal for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce thinned with lime juice, a spoonful of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Mix all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate 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 finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.