CHRISTMAS comes once a year but many are left counting the costs long after the celebrations have passed.

The festivities always bring great expectation. There are those all important gifts to buy for the children and food for family get togethers so it isn't surprising Christmas can exacerbate the financial woes of those who are already struggling.

Being forced to choose between buying gifts for loved ones or heating their homes is a decision many will be having to make as they face the stark reality of trying to manage their mounting debt.

Now experts are advising people to take stock of their situation and seek help immediately rather than bury their heads in the sand.

Ignoring their financial situation won't make it go away. Come the New Year when the bills start arriving their debt

problems will deepen so the advice is to act fast.

The first few months of the New Year are traditionally the busiest times for experts dealing in debt.

According to Alex Bohdanowicz, specialist services manager with Bradford and Airedale Citizens Advice Bureau, while there has been a slight decrease in the overall debt they have dealt with over the past year, the worrying concern is the increase in priority debt.

"Last year we were looking at 12 million eight hundred and fifty thousand pounds of debt and this year we are on target on the same basic projection for 10 million five hundred thousands pounds. We are probably seeing less unsecured debt but we are seeing an increase in fundamentally critical priority debt."

Alex explains 42 per cent of the clients they have seen this year have council tax arrears; 35 per cent have fuel arrears. "So there is a change in the type of debt situation we are seeing," says Alex.

"We are often seeing people who are not able to pay their gas and electric on the meter which, at this time of year, is very worrying."

Alex says they are also conscious of the fact that people can be dealing with the impact of their expenditure over the few days of the festivities for the rest of the year.

"For many of the clients we see that is the stark reality of the decisions they are having to make this Christmas and that is quite shocking," says Alex, referring to the fact that many will be forced to deliberate whether they should buy food, heat their homes or spend on Christmas presents.

"We often see clients worrying more when they have children - how are they going to manage to get something for their children and get them the presents they feel they need," says Alex.

She is eager to enforce the message for people to seek help as soon as possible because it is available.

"The worry for us is the fact that it is basic household bills they are struggling to pay, but the message from us is there is always something that can be done. There is always help that can be provided."

"It's about sitting down and making sure you have enough for basic living expenses before you can consider what you can spend for Christmas."

Seeking alternative Christmas gifts that are affordable is another useful tip. "There is a whole new market now in terms of upcycling and recycling. There are ways of providing and making things but we do appreciate children are going to want presents to open at Christmas."

Alex advises people to start planning and preparing early for Christmas. Things to consider while preparing for next Christmas include opening up a savings or credit union account to put a little bit aside. Alex also advises people against panic buying on the run up to Christmas.

"Try to consider what is really needed and that is really about people getting together," adds Alex.

Bradford-based charity Christians Against Poverty helps more than 15,000 people a year with debt problems, mostly caused by low income and poor budgeting. Its national headquarters are in North Street and it has debt centres, money management courses and job clubs running across the city.

A spokesman for the charity also advises people to seek help rather than ignore their financial problems.

"If you are worried now don't sit on it because it gets worse," she says.

For more information visit capuk.org. Citizens Advice run a debt advice line from 9.30am until 12.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For more information visit citizensadvice.org.uk