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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 seem festive?

Finger food doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's presents 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. Guests just want a comforting taste of hearty fare with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, layer it on blinis and crown it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have remaining fish or flaked salmon, mix it through creamy potatoes, combine with dill, citrus, and caramelized onions, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, poultry, or mushrooms for the interior. Whizz stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. Seasoning-wise, just add a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. Incidentally, buttery pastries make superb coatings, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's ideal for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with citrus juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some green onions, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be dressed 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 incorporate a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the freezer. Reheat in a preheated oven for a short time and top with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.