Millions of travelers are expected to fly over the holidays, and the Transportation Security Administration has issued a detailed guide to help passengers keep their gifts, gadgets, and goodies through security without trouble.
Holiday Gifts
TSA warns that wrapped items are screened like any other item. If you plan to travel with a gift wrapped in festive paper, it may need to be unwrapped to ensure it is not a security threat. Instead, consider putting gifts in a bag or box, or simply adding a festive bow to avoid confusion.
Perfume may be carried in bottles of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller, provided they fit inside the standard quart‑sized liquids bag. Decorative bottles that don’t fit belong in checked luggage.
Snow globes are a holiday favorite, but they come with limits. If the globe is roughly the size of a tennis ball (containing less than 3.4 ounces of liquid) and has a base attached, it can go in your carry‑on bag. Larger globes must be checked.
Jewelry is simple: rings, necklaces, and other small pieces can travel in carry‑ons, even if tucked inside a gift box. TSA does caution against wearing bulky jewelry or oversized belt buckles, since these can trigger alarms and lead to extra screening.
Festively scented candles are allowed if solid. Gel candles, however, must be packed in checked bags.
For winter sports enthusiasts, gear rules vary. Snowboards, snowshoes, and ice skates can pass through security, though overhead bin space depends on the airline. Skis and ski poles must be checked.
And for those carrying an advent calendar, you’re in luck. TSA says these festive countdowns are welcome in carry‑ons — and no, officers won’t peek behind the flaps to spoil your daily surprise.
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Electronics
Electronics are straightforward. Most can travel in carry‑on luggage. However, items larger than a cell phone should be placed in a bin alone so TSA can get a clear image during screening. The same rules apply to drones.
Electronics often come with batteries, and here the rules get more specific. Standard “dry” batteries — AA, AAA, 9‑volt, C, and D — can all be carried through checkpoints without issue. Lithium batteries are allowed if installed in a device and rated at 100 watt hours or less. Loose lithium batteries, however, are prohibited in checked baggage due to fire risk. The Federal Aviation Administration maintains detailed regulations on lithium batteries, so travelers should consult the FAA’s website before packing.
If you are unsure whether an item should be packed in a carry‑on bag, checked bag, or neither, visit the TSA homepage, which features a “What can I bring?” tool that allows you to type in the item to determine if it is allowed on a plane.
Food and Drinks
Solid baked goods — including cookies, pies, and cakes — can be carried through security checkpoints, even if packaged in tins. Liquids, however, such as preserves, jellies, jams and syrups, must be packed in checked bags if the container is larger than 3.4 ounces.
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If you’re bringing a festive charcuterie board, TSA advises that soft and spreadable foods should be packed in checked bags. Solid foods, however, are fine in carry‑ons.
Holiday beverages such as eggnog, wine and champagne must be checked and each traveler is limited to five liters total. Here’s the catch: alcoholic drinks containing more than 70% alcohol by volume are not permitted in either carry‑on or checked bags. Miniature bottles of alcohol are permitted in carry‑on bags as long as they fit neatly inside a single quart‑sized liquids bag — with the standard limit of one quart bag per passenger.
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Key Takeaways
- Wrapped gifts may need to be unwrapped for screening; use a bag or box instead.
- Only liquids 3.4 ounces or less fit in a quart‑sized bag; larger liquids must be checked.
- Jewelry, solid candles, and most electronics can stay in carry‑ons; bulky items and loose lithium batteries must be checked.
Traveling during the holidays can be smooth if you follow TSA’s clear guidelines for gifts, electronics, and food. Keep these rules in mind, and enjoy a stress‑free journey to your festive destinations.
