No matter how many spins we’ve taken around the sun, there is something special about the eve of a new year. Forget that we’ve abandoned more resolutions than we’ve kept in our lifetimes: Most of us still get that feeling that the momentous stroke of midnight offers up a “fresh start” of some kind. And that’s a reason to celebrate with gratitude, whether you welcome in 2016 in your own company, or surrounded by friends and family.

If you’re planning a “do” tomorrow night, these last-minute tips might come in handy.

The bites

Hosts can turn inexpensive appetizers into something that seems more posh with a few presentation tricks, says Paige Anderson of Bash! Party Planning.

“Place your hors d’oeuvres in symmetrical rows on simple plates to make them look professionally catered and appetizing.”

Another pro trick: Shrink appetizers down to bite-size, suggests ideas.thenest.com — maybe mac and cheese bites made in mini muffin tins (see recipe), tiny potato latkes topped with a dash of applesauce, creme fraiche and chives, and store-bought desserts like brownies and lemon bars sliced into 2-inch squares.

To dress up a standard cheese plate, “Add some gourmet ingredients,” says Anderson. “Top a round wedge of goat cheese with pomegranate seeds and rosemary, serve a small pot of gourmet honey next to a wedge of Gorgonzola, and dress up the platter with champagne grapes instead of red grapes.”

It helps budget-wise to avoid starting your gathering too early, but if you are hitting the meal time, a baked potato bar is easy and inexpensive. It’s also great for a midnight supper after the countdown. Cook the biggest potatoes you can find and follow them up with a dessert. Potato toppings could include butter, sour cream, bacon bits, chopped green onions, salsa, grated cheese, jalapenos, chives, mushrooms and chili.

It may be a little late to do for New Year’s, but consider making your next casual gathering BYOA — Bring Your Own Appetizer. There are any number of easy appetizers folks can come up with on short notice, says happynewyear2016.com. For someone who doesn’t cook, suggest raw vegetables and hummus, or a plate of cheese and crackers. If those are still over their head, ask them to bring a container or two of mixed nuts.

The bubbles

If you’re expecting a large crowd, one solution to the cost of champagne wiping out your January grocery budget could be a sparkling cocktail bar. Put champagne on ice and surround it with carafes of mixers — assorted juices and liqueurs.

A champagne sangria is another way to reduce the champagne budget. A nonalcoholic version can be made with ginger ale. A recipe is in today’s food pages.

As the evening winds down, it’s a nice touch to send your guests off with a favor. Anderson suggests beribboned cellophane bags of black-eyed peas, a good luck token for the year ahead.

However your 2015 ends and your 2016 begins, Happy New Year!

THREE-CHEESE MINI MACS

1/2 pound elbow macaroni

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for brushing

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4 cup milk

4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 packed cup)

4 ounces deli-sliced American cheese, chopped

1 large egg yolk

1/4 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika