Keep it quiet, but there are just 20 shopping days left before Christmas.

This year, the mad-dash to the shopping centres hasn’t quite been the same as it has in previous years. Massive consumer debt, the threat of job losses and the economic downturn means that, as far as the retailers are concerned, this Christmas is bound to be one of the toughest that they’ve faced in 10 years.

Whilst flash “30% off” fire sales have managed to get consumers through the door, the reality is that we just aren’t spending as much as we did last year.

Much of that will be down to debt problems. Loans are less available than what they were 12 months ago, interest is piling up from previous borrowings and there are genuine fears over job security in the coming year.

That’s left many, understandably, worrying about the coming Christmas period. Working out how to get through what is undoubtedly the most expensive month of the year and yet, trying to soften the blow to the rest of the family. The latter is probably the more difficult task.

Few youngsters are going to understand the current economic climate and so telling the kids that Northern Pole won’t give Santa a loan to buy any toys or that the Laplandsbanki has collapsed isn’t going to help.

What you can do though is save money by simply rethinking your Christmas spending.

For instance, how many of those little “stocking fillers” hardly ever gets used? How many times do you find yourself buying a second item just to take advantage of the “3 for 2” deal or buying something just because it’s got a discount?

Without trying to be a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge, just some simple “waste management” can seriously cut down the cost of Christmas and reduce the need to take on additional debt. We’ve all heard of the complaints that Christmas is becoming too “consumerist”, and commercial, so there could be an opportunity to turn this Christmas into a more traditional one.

To help with the Christmas budget this year, here is out easy five-point guide to cutting down the cost of Christmas.

1. Stick to a budget.

In many households in the run-up to Christmas, shoppers establish what gifts they want and then look for the shop that’s selling it for less. That is a recipe for over stretched budgets, resulting in credit cards, loans and debt. Instead, establish what your budget is and pick gifts that fit into that budget.

2. Less is more.

Researchers have shown that children on Christmas day actually respond better to receiving fewer gifts than opening up a bulging stocking. There’s no point giving children so many presents that they can’t enjoy, or even remember, the gifts that they received. Instead, try picking out fewer gifts but ones that they are likely to remember. Lofts and attics are full of toys that were bought for Christmas and yet rarely saw the light of day, brining me onto the next point.

3. Waste Management.

Cutting down on extra stocking filler isn’t Scrooge-like if the gifts never get used and it certainly won’t feel that way when January’s credit card bill feels slightly lighter. Cut down on the “little extras” and it’s highly likely that the only one to notice will be your bank manager.

Those “3 for 2” deals in the shops and extra freebies are all there to get you to part with your cash for things that you simply don’t want or need - don’t fall for them. If you didn’t need it before you went into the shop, you probably won’t need it after you’ve walked out.

4. Same goes for the food.

Every year, I remembered stacks of prawn cocktail starters being left behind as the turkey came to the table and yet I could never figure why. Without giving a lecture on the ills of wasting food, it’s probably symbolic of how we sometimes don’t realise how much money we waste on food – and not just at Christmas.

Supermarket offers can help you to cut the cost of the festive meal (expect all the major Supermarkets to launch their own “Credit Crunch Christmas Lunch” if they haven’t already) but they can also leave you wondering just what you are going to do with that jumbo bag of sprouts.

If you are having the meal at home, think about how many you’ll be cooking for. Find out what they do they like, what don’t they like and then plan your shopping list accordingly.

5. Shop smart.

Those surprise sales periods that the shops are running aren’t just because they’re feeling kind! They need your cash and the current economic climate means that they need to work that little bit harder to get it, so use it to your advantage.

Haggle in shops. Seen something cheaper elsewhere (even on the internet)? Ask the store to match or even better it. Does that new gift need batteries, memory cards or cables? Get them to chuck them in to sweeten the deal. It’s surprising how much you’ll get just by asking. Other companies have resorted to giving out free discount vouchers which you can download and print at home, so look for savings there.

The internet is also a place for bargains, old and new. There are thousands of retailers out there competing with each other, so find out who has the best price. Websites such as Pricerunner and Froogle will find the best price on any given products and best of all, they’re free to use.

Of course, I could go on and on about little tricks and tips for Christmas shopping and we’ve only scratched the surface. What this guide will hopefully do is give you some simple steps that anyone can take to ensuring that you have both an enjoyable and debt-free Christmas.