Is 2009 the year of the holiday holdout? It appears so.

A survey released this week by the National Retail Federation (NRF) shows that the average American shopper had completed just 46.7 percent of their holiday shopping by the second week of December, the lowest since 2004. In 2008, Christmas shoppers had finished 47.1 percent of their shopping by this time on the holiday calendar. Only 8.6 percent of shoppers reported they were finished for the year, compared with 12 percent in 2005.

It’s unknown whether this is because shoppers know that stores are under pressure to sell in a down economy or people are just being more frugal in tight times. Probably a combination of the two, but you can take advantage of retailer desperation by haggling your @$$ off on last-minute gifts. Even in chain stores. You’ve got nothing to lose by asking for a few bucks off, free gift wrapping services or a freebie thrown in to sweeten the deal.

But beware that with last minute gift shopping your selection may be more limited and stores are rolling out some questionable new return policies to ensure that these sales stick.

If you have some debt-strapped folks on your Hanukkah list you can help them along with their New Year’s resolutions by giving them something from our Required Reading list, like The Budget Kit: The Common Cents Money Management Workbook.

As for me, I am still not done with my Christmas shopping, but not because I am holding out for last-minute bargains. I’m always a bit under the gun to get my shopping done in time and this year even more so because I’m on the road a lot for work (and devote so much precious time to this site!) I do have my final list together and a pretty good plan of attack to get it all squared away in time.

I managed to knock out a couple of gifts by taking advantage of free shipping day yesterday. Don’t fret if you’ve missed that memo. Because Christmas is still a week away you may be able to score some free shipping offers that will still allow your presents to land in your loved ones mailboxes by December 25th.

Evidence points to retailers needing to do everything they can to make their money this holiday season, so hold their feet to the fire. Every penny saved is a penny earmarked to pay off debt in 2010.