by Ann E. Smith

Created on: January 05, 2009

The holidays are the time to eat, drink and be merry. However, what can you do with all of those leftovers filling your refrigerator? Here are a few ideas.

* Freeze some of the items.

Certain things freeze really well, such as cornbread dressing or casseroles. For those items that are freezer friendly, wrap them up and store them for another occasion. You may enjoy these foods more in a few weeks, and can avoid getting burned out on them.

* Make jambalaya.

If you have ever had jambalaya, you know that it is comfort food at its best. You can use some of your leftover ham and turkey to make a great dish. Go online to find some great jambalaya recipes.

* Bake turkey pot pies.

Another great use of leftover turkey is the classic pot pie. This dish is idea for the cold days of winter, and it is always a crowd pleaser.

* Give the food to others.

Do you know someone who sadly spent the holidays alone? There are so many out there who do not have others in their lives, and if you know of such a person, they would greatly appreciate a plate of holiday food delivered to them. This kind gesture can mean a lot to a lonely person.

* Hold a post-holiday dinner.

Invite some of your friends over for a post-holiday dinner. This is a great way to get rid of your leftovers and to treat your friends to a nice evening. It's convenient in that you have already done most of the work.

* Swap leftovers with others.

One fun thing to do is to swap some of your leftovers with some of your friends. That way, they get to try some of the things that you made, and vice versa. You can later follow up with them and provide them with recipes for the dishes they really loved.

* Send food home with family members.

On the day of the actual main holiday meal, you can always send some of the leftovers home with family members or others who have dined at your home. That's an easy and surefire way to empty your kitchen of the remaining food.

* Host an afternoon tea.

If you have a lot of leftover desserts, then consider hosting an afternoon tea for your neighbors. What a fun way to catch up on gossip in your neighborhood and to impress folks with your baking talents. Getting rid of these desserts is a great way to prevent gaining extra weight as well.

In conclusion, there are many things you can do with your holiday leftovers that will prevent you from tiring of the food and that will make someone else happy. And, remember to be grateful for the many things that you do have, including plenty of food.

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