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What kinds of canapes can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas leftovers that will still seem festive?

Party snacks needn't be elaborate, so New Year's presents a perfect chance to clear the decks. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. Guests just want a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, place it on blinis and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also just the ticket: If you have remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, combine with dill, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, 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. Seasoning-wise, just add a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. Incidentally, croissants make excellent crumbs, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a leftovers 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 berry relish and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some sourdough and assemble sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a zingy salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce thinned with citrus juice, a spoonful of soy and a little chilli oil. Finish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in little gem leaves.

Revamping Remaining Veg

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and fit for a party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Combine all your remaining vegetables with herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then keep in the freezer. Refresh in a preheated oven for a few minutes and top with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.