Holiday shopping can be a thrill or simply a chore. But it should never be something you are scared to do. Adding a little self-defense mentality can go a long way to protecting yourself.
Self Awareness 
You have society on your side. Potential criminals (for the most part) won’t just obnoxiously run up to you in front of a crowd and take your things.
These criminals are looking for an easy situation. As long as you are aware of your surroundings, you can prevent yourself from ever falling into one of these situations.
Your own body is a part of your surroundings. It would be a foolish decision to count cash in public. This is something you should be aware of, and instead count your cash privately. The ultimate holiday shopping self defense tip is to simply be aware. Be aware of where a potential pick pocket is, and what a potential pick pocket is looking for.
The Pick Pocket or Thief
Pickpockets thrive on holiday shopping. There are crowds of people, loaded with cash and jewelry who know nothing about practical self-defense. 
Get inside the mind of the thief. They are looking for crowds. Pay attention when in a crowd. Don’t forget where all your belongings are.
Avoid dark areas. Keep your wallet in your front pockets. Don’t let your bag or purse hang behind you. Everything valuable should be positioned up front where your eyes and hands can follow them at all time.
Wear simple, comfortable, and non-flowing clothing. The biggest aspect of holiday shopping self defense is being prepared and AWARE. Pay attention and stay safe. You don’t have to be a black belt to learn simple self defense moves! American Family Martial Arts hosts free seminars on Protecting Yourself as well as 4 week courses or company events.
Dealing With Your Car
Another holiday shopping hotspot for thieves is your vehicle. Pay attention to where you parked. Don’t park in a dark 
corner. Park where it’s bright. Even if this means you have to park further away, putting yourself in a favorable position is the centerpiece of holiday shopping self-defense.
Pay attention when you finish shopping. The walk back to you car is the most dangerous. The criminals know that you are finished with all of your holiday gifts and exhausted. Have your keys ready in hand, and don’t waste any time. If you are worried about your situation, then don’t be scared to ask a security guard to escort you. This is part of why they are there. They would rather escort you than have to write a report!
Pay attention to your surroundings, get to your car, and don’t be distracted while loading your car. It is perfectly okay to walk around your car, checking for bad guys. It’s also okay to look a stranger in the eye so he knows you see him. 
In the martial arts world, this is called situational awareness. It’s one of the many things we teach at American Family Martial Arts. One of the most important parts of women’s self defense or men’s self defense is avoiding being in a dangerous situation.
You don’t have to be a black belt to learn self defense. At AFMA, we teach simple practical techniques of self defense so you can Protect Yourself.
Check out our social media pages for upcoming Self Defense: Protect Yourself courses!