7:32 AM
Beautiful You
The Christmas season is in full swing! The stores and streets are all a buzz with frenzied shoppers looking for the best deals, the season's hottest must-have items and last minute gifts. While this time of year is supposed to be holly and jolly, it isn't always fun fighting the hustle and bustle that inevitably occurs during the Christmas shopping days. The scene is all too common - tons of traffic; crowded parking lots, malls and discount stores; long lines at the checkout counter; people competing to get the last items on store shelves; and tired, frazzled shoppers with bags and bags of goodies in tow.
"Danger, Will Robinson!" Tired and frazzled shoppers with bags and bags of goodies in tow? Well, this could certainly spell disaster. Each year unknowingly vulnerable shoppers fall prey to holiday theft. Don't let this happen to you! While you can't predict or prevent everything, you can still prepare yourself to take on the holiday madness with a plan of action to keep yourself and your newly purchased items as safe as possible.
Consider these 5 tips as part of your safe holiday shopping strategy:
1. Start early
The earlier you can scratch off items on your list, the better. First, if you start early, you will avoid the ever growing madness caused by panicked shoppers as they flood the stores for last minute items. Second, by avoiding the mania, you will not be as stressed, preoccupied and distracted. You will actually be able to enjoy your shopping experience and be more aware of your surroundings.
2. If possible, shop during the day
If you shop at night - buddy up. For safety reasons, it's always better to have a friend with you; plus, shopping with a friend makes it a fun outing instead of a chore.
3. Park in a well-lit area and as close to the store as possible
Do I have to explain this one? If you still end up parking farther away than you had wanted, make sure you note where you parked so that you find your way back to the car without any problems. We've all seen the dazed and confused person in the parking lot trying to get into the wrong car or following the beep of the car several rows over. Does this one sound familiar to you? If it does, go ahead and put a big target on your back! This scenario is ripe for the taking.
4. Before you leave the store, make sure you have all your items secure and you have your keys at the ready
Besides wandering around aimlessly in a sea of parked cars, looking for your keys while you try to get to your car is also a BIG no-no. You cannot be aware of your surroundings if you are digging through your purse or pants, now can you?
5. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings as you make your way to the car
Get your items into the car quickly and lock the door while you take the shopping cart back to the drop-off point (don't be one of those thoughtless people who just leave their cart in an empty parking space). Once you get into your car, lock it right away.
Sound like paranoia? No, it's just common sense. While you may feel some stress during seasonal shopping, why exasperate it by falling victim to theft? With a well thought out and executed strategy, you can make your shopping a safe and enjoyable experience. Now, happy shopping!
Stephanie Spano is a proud wife, mother and Veteran. After retiring from the Army after 26 years, she is now embarking on a writing career about the things that interest and inspire her. http://www.thes-files.com/
