While they are still looking for all of the regular items of interest, there are several that I wanted to highlight in particular this month. In no particular order, here are some things that are trends and what you can do to mitigate your risk:

1. Crime Watch - You can join right now! You don’t need to worry since it will open a new window and then you can come back right here. You can pickup where we left off. I have to plug the neighborhood crime watch. It is our version of The Golden Rule.

2. Opening the Door To Strangers - Don’t open the door for those Delivery people. They are strangers. Your packages can wait. Burglars will often use a package as a rouse to case your home or force their way in.

3. Peephole/Doorbell Camera - Use them.

4. Alarm Systems - Homes without alarm systems are three times more likely to be burglarized.

5. What Is Under Your Tree - I love the open concept floor plans and natural lighting; however, there is a lot to be said for privacy alone - not just security. You can close blinds while angling them up which will still allow the sunlight in, but you will still have the peace of mind that comes with safety and security. Please wait until the last minute to place presents out on display.

6. Teenagers - They have a lot of small electronics and accessories that are easy to sell, but please don’t toss the kids out because they are more likely to make your home a target.

7. Bushes Covering Windows - They are the perfect place to easily hide.

8. Loose Items & Decor - Please do not leave burglars’ favorite items outside your home for them to break in to it with. We don’t want to weaponize the enemy. Is that cute decoration capable of breaking your window?

9. Unlocked Doors & Windows - While we are carrying things in and out or entertaining during the holidays it is often easy to leave things unlocked.

10. Unlocked Car - Please lock your car to deter crime, keep stolen guns off of the streets, and prevent deaths of curious children. There isn’t an excuse.

11. Mail, Packages, & Flyers - Please have your mail placed on hold, packages stopped, and ask someone to come by twice daily to get anything that may accumulate on your porch while you are out of town. Nothing says, “I am out of town, please rob me” like a bunch of flyers stuck to a door and Amazon boxes ripe for the picking.

12. Boxes - Please breakdown your boxes, turn them inside out, and wait until as late as possible to place them outside for pickup. They tell potential burglars exactly what you have purchased.

13. Social Media - It was so kind of you to tell everyone you are on vacation right now (insert sarcasm here)! Please, keep the photos to share for after you get home. Do NOT share photos or locations on social media that show you are not at home.

14. Parties & Celebrations - Make sure that you know everyone that is in your home and that all valuables are locked securely away from sight. Friends and family may unknowingly bring others over that don’t have the best intentions. It is easier to secure items instead of replace them. You should also be acutely aware that your home will obviously be empty while you are out. It is imperative that you arm your alarms, lock all windows and doors, secure important items, and look out for one another. This is where a neighborhood crime watch becomes critical because an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of a cure.

Here is the scary truth from the mind of the burglar….

By simply observing gifts, boxes, and packages, I can likely drive through the neighborhood on Christmas Day and tell you what everyone in your home has gotten. I also know if you are at home or away with family or friends. I know the approximate ages of your children and can guess their gender pretty accurately as well. With a quick internet search, I can pull up your home address, cross reference your name, see all of your public family photos on Facebook (see if you are away on vacation - score), jump to LinkedIn to find out what your career status is (so I know when, where, if you work to see how much you make), and be done sizing you up as my next target in less than ten minutes with fully accessible public data that you have most likely placed out in the world for all to freely access.

If you give me two more minutes, I can tell you who your family is. The point is to not bring attention to yourself online or in the real world. We want to blend in with our environments. Uninteresting people don’t bring unwanted attention to themselves, their loved ones, and their homes. Therefore, they are safer and more secure. Being “boring” is highly underrated.

Your current challenge is to tell me which trees are “naughty” and which trees are “nice”. Feel free to comment.

My assessment is below with explanations.

What award did each tree receive?

The Cindy Lou Who Award is the award of excellence that we should all strive for. Cindy Lou has a beautiful tree that is out of plain sight and there aren’t any visible packages. Cindy Lou even has her Christmas lights on a timer, so they come on and go off all by themselves. Her tree is fake, so it is flame retardant, but just to be safe, it is still far enough away from the fireplace that she won’t have to worry about the effects of excessive heat from the fireplace on the tree, wiring on the lights, or delicate ornaments. If she had opted for a real tree, she would water it diligently every day to prevent a fire and to minimize needle loss. Cindy Lou is always thinking ahead and planning about the safety and security of her family and loved ones. She even has carrots for the reindeer.

Next in the lineup, we have the Elf On The Shelf Honorable Mention Award. While Trees Three and Six are not cluttered with gifts, they are prominently displayed in front of high visibility areas of the home. I bet that they have everything in the closet or they are last minute shoppers. They might even be going away for the holidays. If I was a burglar, I would watch this house for packages and traffic. It might be an empty paradise full of cookies and hot chocolate for the wrong fat man on Christmas Day. Oh, maybe I can pretend to make a delivery and see what happens. I bet they will open the door if I have an Amazon package!

We also have the Scrooge and Jack Frost Awards which are about equally as dangerous as one another. While Tree Five boasts more packages, they aren’t as visible from the street because of the higher walls which provide a natural sight line barrier. On the other hand, everything is on full display with Tree Two although it isn’t as big of a score. The good stuff is usually in smaller boxes though - especially if there are teens and ladies that love jewelry. Good things often come in small packages and they are easier to carry.

And, lastly, at an abysmal failure of epic, if not grand, safety and security proportions and precautions we have Tree Four. I am giving it the Grinch Award. I’m a mean one. I can feel my heart shrinking just looking at the ostentatious display of 300 gifts the twenty-something mother of three purchased for her children in 2015 when it went viral after she posted it to Facebook. You can hardly see the tree. In all fairness, Emma, who lives in the UK, told NBC in a statement that I have edited below for content:

Will I post another pic of my tree? You bet your grandma’s *** I will. Seeing as my picture has gone viral here is my tree. I LOVE Christmas. I LOVE spoiling my kids in the festive season and I work **** hard to make sure it is every bit as amazing as it can be. So two fat fingers up to all the judgmental a******s and big thanks to all the normal, everyday people who don’t really give a **** about SOMEONE else’s Christmas tree or got into the festive spirit with me. Merry Christmas everyone. Share, share, share.

Whether we spend thousands on our children for the holidays is our own business. To each their own. I am not here to debate that, steal any of your joy, or judge as they are only children once. Besides, as adults, we know that the true pleasure comes in giving - not receiving. However, I do not want you to bring any unnecessary attention to yourselves, your homes, and/or your children that will place anyone in danger. I know many children that have been beaten, attacked, and robbed after the holidays (and birthdays) for one seemingly simple item, toy, or small sum of cash because it was out on “display”. What may be rather insignificant to us, may create quite a bit of envy and temptation in others. Please make sure that your child knows that items are replaceable. We only have one of them and they are the most precious things in the world.

Here are some great holiday safety and security tips from our friends at the Little Elm Police Department.

Happy Holidays! Please be safe and look after one another!

If you want to follow the big guy with the kids (young and old alike), please go here for live updates.

You are still here? Ah, shucks. I am blushing. I have a little surprise for you below. Please enjoy everything responsibly.

You can find all of the yummy recipes for the drinks above here.