When I was in the third grade, the Cabbage Patch Doll was the hottest Christmas gift that was impossible to find, and for those who had to have one under their tree, paying more than 10 times the retail price was normal.
I guess the best way to keep yourself protected while out buying Christmas goodies would be to have a cop tag along with you the entire time. Since cops have other, more pressing responsibilities, that might be tough. However, following some of the guidelines put forth by law enforcement should do the trick.