8 Dumb Things to NOT DO at the Mall During the Holidays

By webmaster on Jul 7, 2007 in Holidays

Author by : Kathryn Marion

For some reason, when we get caught up in the frenzy of the holidays, we sometimes seem to check our brains at the door. Here are eight dumb things to NOT do while at the mall this holiday season:

1. Walk around flashing a lot of cash: want to make yourself the perfect target for a pickpocket, mugger, or bunch of fearless teenagers? Well, be my guest.

2. Walk around flashing a wad of credit cards: there are folks who�d like to get their hands on just one card to see how much they can stock up on before you discover it�s gone and they have sneaky ways of getting at them. Take only the card you�ll be using and make sure you get it back at the end of the transaction.

3.a. Take your child�s wish list to the mall and buy everything on it: are you trying to encourage greediness and self-centeredness in your child? What will they do when they get older and not everything goes their way?

3. b. Take your child�s wish list to the mall and buy nothing on it: unless, of course, everything on it is inappropriate. Don�t look at the list and decide that you �know better� what they �need��if a few of the items on the list are within reason (even if you don�t see the attraction to them), go ahead and allow the kids to be delighted with making their own choices.

4. Leave a pile of large and/or expensive gifts visible in the backseat of the car: don�t make yours the most appealing vehicle in the parking lot�put items in the trunk.

5. Take your kids but don�t keep them in sight at all times: that�s an easy way to turn the joy of the holidays into a nightmare no parent wants to ever experience. It�s too easy for the little ones to get swept up in the excitement of crowds.

6. Park in a dark area of the lot: instead of jeopardizing your safety in the parking lot, find a spot under a bright light even if you have to walk a little further to the store.

7. Take your kids and give in to every request for themselves and for other people�s gifts: having a list of people you�re shopping for, ideas of what they�d like, and a budget for each will help keep you out of the red. If you go unprepared, it�s too easy to just give in to what the kids request because it feels like such a relief to knock one more person off your list. This is a great time to teach planning and self discipline, but it has to start with you.

8. Don�t keep your golden nuggets of wisdom to yourself: share your success stories at www.SmartestThing.com or have fun sharing some of your dumb mistakes at the new blog http://DumbestThing.com.

Follow these guidelines to avoid having to spend half of next year trying to dig yourself out of an identity theft mess or living in fear of where your youngest child might be. Relax, slow down, and make this holiday season memorable for all the right reasons.

Kathryn Marion is the creator of the new book series due out in 2007 called The Smartest Thing I Ever Did�� She is seeking contributions of success stories and advice for the first six titles: �as a Parent, �for My Marriage, �for My Career, �with My Money, �for Myself, and �for My Business. Visit http://www.SmartestThing.com for complete details and to make contributions online. All contributions published will include a byline and author bio (which may include a website and/or email address, giving contributors valuable national exposure). She is also the author of Success in the �Real World�, a book dedicated to helping graduates succeed in their new life in the �real world� of work and independent living, which was distributed to almost 1.7 million students last year (available by visiting http://www.EducationForReality.com).

[tags]shopping,holiday,gift,gifts,mall,child,children,kids,safety,precautions,[/tags]