There are so many leftovers after Christmas, and you simply can’t stuff them in the freezer or push them onto your departing guests. I can’t bear to toss perfectly good food or clog up the landfill with used ribbons and wrapping paper. I come from a background of stretching a dollar, saving, refurbishing, recycling; hence, my mostly useless tips I’ll share with you.

Today, we’ll focus on holiday food. We have plenty of time to discuss what to do with the other stuff you’ve accumulated. Now, don’t complain, because aren’t we blessed to have this abundance?

1. Crank up the fire pit if you have one. Gather leftover ginger snap cookies, extra marshmallows for hot cocoa, and chocolate candy from the Christmas stockings. Voila! A new spin on s’mores. No ginger snaps? Try chocolate chip cookies for an extra sugar rush.
2. Ham, ham, ham. There’s only so much you can do after making sandwiches, frying slices for breakfast, slipping pieces into casseroles, and using the ham bone for soup. We eat ham on New Years Day for tradition, and I’m tired of it by then. It won’t be until Easter before I serve it again.
3. There may be some candy canes and peppermint sticks scattered about the house. Crush them with a rolling pin and store the sprinkles in Ziploc bags with the baking supplies. Use for Valentine’s Day cookies or to rim martini glasses for a pretty drink. Pick out the red M&Ms for cupcake toppers and reserve the green ones for St. Patrick’s Day. Well, maybe not. Candy laying around that long shouldn’t happen.
4. Leftover wine or champagne? How can this be? Freeze into cubes to use in stews or pop into a glass of chardonnay if it’s not cold enough. Or, enjoy a mimosa with a ham omelet in the morning.
5.  I’m sorry, I don’t know what to do about fruitcake except pack it up and send it back to the person who gave it to you next year. It will be fine.