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

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's offers a great opportunity to use up what's left. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. People are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on blinis and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also just the ticket: Whether you've got remaining fish or flaked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, combine with dill, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in panko and deep-fry.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or mushrooms for the interior. Blitz stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then fry. Sausage roll fillings 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. Incidentally, croissants make excellent crumbs, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Place some holiday meats in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and assemble sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be turned into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of turkey leg 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 loosened with citrus juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and add a binding agent. Cut out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then store in the icebox. Reheat in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps roast beef and sharp horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.