Help make it the most wonderful time of the year for everyone but doorstep thieves.

Holiday gifts that you buy online and have shipped to your house can be vulnerable to Grinch-like people snatching that perfect present you scoured the internet for.

And more people shopping online means more people stealing delivered gifts, but you can help protect against package theft prevention.

Below are some tips from the Marietta Police Department on how to keep that perfect gift safe.

♦ Opt in for a signature requirement: This ensures your package is not left unless you or someone you trust signs for it. This prevents the delivery driver from leaving it on your doorstep for everyone to see.

♦ Add a special note for the delivery driver: If you don't have the signature-requirement option, leave a note for the delivery driver to place it in a safer/less-visible area.

♦ Ship somewhere else: You can select for your package to be shipped to your work or post office.

♦ Ask a neighbor: Talk to a neighbor about collecting your package if you are not home .

♦ Pick up in the store: Several stores now offer online pick up at the customer service desk.

♦ Ship to a locker: Some shopping websites now provide a "locker" option, which secures your gift in a locker only you have access to. Amazon offers such a service.

The police department reminds that if you see something, say something. You can contact Marietta police at 770-794-5300.

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In 2022, Georgia Power projected its winter peak electricity demand would grow by about 400 megawatts by 2031. Since then, Georgia has experienced a boom of data centers, which require a large load of electricty to run, and Georgia Power's recent forecast shows peak demand growing by 20 times the 400-megawatt estimate from just three years ago. (Illustration by Philip Robibero/AJC)

Credit: Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC