While Christmas is a festival we all await for with excitement, it can be very heavy on the pocket. Here are a few tips that can help you rejoice in the spirit of Christmas on a budget.

1. Write a list of ingredients and quantities: To avoid buying things you don't need or not buying a key ingredient, check your kitchen cupboards for what you have. Then write a list of what you need to buy and buy it in the right quantity to avoid over spending or wastage.

2. Use affordable substitutes: Wherever you can, substitute expensive ingredients with affordable ones. For instance, you can substitute Turkey or Beef with Chicken.

3. Host a bring and share: Cooking for a big family can be an expensive affair. Instead host a dinner where everyone brings one dish along with them.

4. Don't focus on the aesthetics of the packaging: When you go grocery shopping, instead of focusing on the packaging of the ingredients, focus on what's inside. Expensive, aesthetically packaged products might look better on the outside but be of the same quality on the inside as basic packaged products.

5. Raid the reduced price shelves: Heading to the reduced price shelves can get you a good bargain and reduce your overall spend.

6. Re-create with leftovers: Instead of throwing away the leftovers, get creative and prepare meals around the leftover meat, veggies or sauces you have from the Christmas dinner.

7. Go shopping in a car share: Buying Christmas ingredients can include going to a lot of shops and carrying back heavy bags, which is not always possible to do if you plan to walk back or take a bus. This year, instead of spending a lot of money on cabs to go shopping, book a car share such as Co Wheels for a day and save yourself money, while also being sustainable.