In this week's issue of the Friday Facts:

1. State Police Offer Up Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

2. State Museum Invites Public to Holiday Exhibit

3. Twelve Days of Holiday Tips from USA.gov

4. Website Serves American Military Families

State Police Offer Up Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Christmas is quickly approaching and many people find themselves frantically searching for those last-minute gifts. The combination of shorter daylight hours and later shopping hours at malls and stores can create the perfect storm for crime. The Indiana State Police offers Holiday Shopping Safety Tips to keep you, your family, and loved ones safe while shopping this holiday season. Many tips are common sense, although some go a little deeper. Here are a few safety tips to remember while you’re out shopping:  stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you, park in a well-lit area and lock your car, use extra caution when walking to and from your car – walk with a friend if possible, place gifts and other valuables in the trunk of your car, keep your car doors and windows locked at all times, and carry a fully charged cell phone with you. Be sure to check out the State Police website for more tips. Please remember to be safe and have a happy holiday season!

State Museum Invites Public to Holiday Exhibit

Early December can be full of headaches, stress, and the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. To help combat that, The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites  is hosting Celebration Crossing, Indiana State Museum’s annual holiday exhibit. The holiday exhibit opened November 25 and goes through December 31^st. This holiday extravaganza began when the State Museum received the Santa Claus Express from the downtown L.S. Ayres Store in 1991. The young and young at heart will enjoy music, surprises, and many holiday traditions. Among the excitement is the arrival of Santa by helicopter! While at the museum, be sure to check out their other current exhibits . Check the museum’s website for information  about the museum’s hours, parking, and other important logistical times. Take a break from the stress this season and join the celebration. 

Twelve Days of Holiday Tips from USA.gov

You’ve all heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Instead of bringing you eight maids a-milking, USA.gov presents Twelve Days of Holiday Tips. These tips run the gamut, from Day 2: Find Seasonal Employment to Day 4: Pay Attention to Portion Sizes. Each tip includes a short blurb and also includes links to other good sources from the government. Trying to avoid holiday weight gain? Day 4 directs you to Choosemyplate.gov, the updated version of the food pyramid from the USDA. Here you’ll find basic tips, like increasing your portions of fruits and vegetables and avoiding oversized portions. You can also find more targeted programs, like Eating Healthy on a Budget and Plan a Healthy Diet. If you’re interested in finding seasonal employment, the tips page takes you to the Department of Labor. Here you’ll find links to State Job Banks, Veteran Job Banks, and more. They also provide resume and cover letter tips from CareerOneStop. Be sure to check in on the Holiday Tips for these tips and more to make your holiday season the best it can be!

Website Serves American Military Families

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) hosts a website called Military Homefront, a service for individuals serving in the American military and their families. Check out this year’s Happy Holidays features: Learn to Cope with Holiday Stress and Deployment and Make the Most of Holiday Relocation. There are also links to Holiday Travel with the Armed Forces Vacation Club and Budgeting for the Holidays. Also of interest is the DOD’s photo essays. This is part of the DOD website which educates the public about members of the military and military operations. Watch the images tell a story with vivid photography. There are slideshows showcasing operations throughout the year and archived collections online going back to 2006. You can view how U.S. Marines Build Bridges in Afghanistan; see images of the Warrior and Family Support Center in San Antonio, TX; and see how U.S. Troops Help Restore a Flood-Damaged School in Thailand.