Projo Offbeat Blog

It turns out that some shoppers have gotten really good bargains this Christmas and not just because stores have slashed prices.

Some secretive Santas are filling their stockings and pockets with stolen gifts, according to media reports that Christmas shoplifting has increased because of the poor economy.

No wonder so many seem so stressed this season.

Christmas shopping can be exhausting enough, but the pressure of Christmas shoplifting must be relentless. Imagine constantly having to worry if that's really Santa Claus sitting in the corner or a store detective in disguise. And it can't be fun having to wrestle with another thug to get the last Wii before they're all sold, or, in this case, all stolen out.

Then what if your spouse finds out how much you didn't pay for her gift?

And what do you do if you steal the wrong gift? You won't be able to come up with a receipt. Do you come clean and tell the recipient to go back to the store and steal one in another size?

Or do you return to the scene of the crime yourself? Are there honorable, conscientious shoplifters who only steal what's on their list and would actually return the wrong sweater to the rack before stealing another one in the right size?

Some shoplifters, apparently the more experienced ones, prefer to steal gift cards, but how much thought goes into that?

I guess Christmas shoplifting does have its advantages. You don't have to drive all over town in your (stolen?) car to ensure you've found the best deal on the necklace at the top of your wife's list.

And you don't have to worry about that January spending hangover when the credit-card bills show up in the mailbox. I bought what? The kids already broke that.

Christmas shoplifters might even receive some new jewelry (a pair of handcuffs) and a new home (a jail cell) where they can spend the holidays with a new group of friends.

 Tags  Christmas shoplifting

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