Are you planning to travel this holiday season? Well, did you know that TSA rules change during the holidays? If you don’t want to risk throwing out your favorite holiday treats or having your gifts confiscated, stay tuned—I’m going to break down 8 essential TSA tips for what you can and can’t bring with you this season. Stick around until the end for the one holiday item that could absolutely shock you at security!
Time to Celebrate
The holidays are a time for celebration, family, and—of course—food! Whether you’re heading to visit relatives or going on a vacation, packing for a holiday trip is always an adventure. But before you get caught up in the excitement of gift-giving and eating holiday treats, it’s important to know the TSA rules for what you can and can’t bring on the plane. If you don’t want to end up tossing out your favorite holiday cake or bottle of sorrel, make sure you’re aware of these TSA tips to avoid any surprises at the airport.
1. Cheese, Cakes, and Homemade Treats: What’s Allowed?
Many people love to bring special holiday foods like cakes, cheeses, or homemade treats like fruitcake, gingerbread, or cookies to share with family. The good news is that solid food items (like cake, cookies, and even cheese) are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. However, liquid or gel-like foods (think of creamy cheeses, sauces, or anything that could squish out of a container) are restricted under the TSA’s liquid rule. If you’re planning on bringing things like a fruit-filled cake with icing or a jar of holiday jam, it’s important to pack them in a way that follows the guidelines.
Cheese: Most solid cheeses (cheddar, gouda, etc.) are perfectly fine to bring in your carry-on or checked bag. However, soft cheeses (like brie or cream cheese) can sometimes be a problem. If they’re too soft, they might be considered a liquid and could be confiscated if packed in your carry-on.
- What to do: To be safe, pack soft cheeses in your checked luggage. You can also freeze them to help them stay firm while you travel.
Cakes and Pies: Traditional holiday cakes, cookies, and pies are typically allowed, but cakes with frosting or icing can be tricky. If the frosting is gooey or liquid-like, it might be treated as a liquid by TSA, and you’ll need to follow the 3.4-ounce liquid rule for carry-ons.
- What to do: Keep cakes with soft frosting or pies with gooey fillings in your checked bag, especially if they have a soft, spreadable topping. For other cakes and cookies, a solid, sturdy container will keep them safe from being squished.
Tip: If you’re bringing cakes or pies with frosting, consider packing them in sturdy, sealed containers so they don’t get squished, and check if they have any liquid components that might cause a problem at security.
2. Drinks: Sorrel, Wine, and Holiday Punch
One of the most popular drinks during the holidays is sorrel (a spiced hibiscus drink) or other homemade holiday beverages like eggnog or punch. While these drinks are an important part of the season, they fall under the TSA’s “liquid rule.” This means any drink you want to bring in your carry-on must be in a container of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller.
Sorrel, Eggnog, and Homemade Drinks: These types of drinks are liquids and are subject to TSA’s 3.4-ounce rule. If you’re traveling with a big bottle of homemade eggnog or sorrel, you’ll need to pack it in your checked luggage.
- What to do: Make sure any liquids you bring are sealed tightly and packed in your checked bag. For small bottles, like those of eggnog, you can bring them in your carry-on—just remember to stay within the liquid limits.
Alcohol (Wine, Liquor, Beer): For alcohol, TSA has strict guidelines. If you’re carrying wine or liquor, you must pack it in your checked luggage. You can bring alcohol in your carry-on, but it must be in containers under 3.4 ounces.
- What to do: For larger bottles of alcohol (like a special wine or rum), make sure it’s in your checked luggage, and remember that there are limits on how much alcohol you can carry (typically 5 liters per person, depending on the airline).
Important rule: No alcohol in your carry-on unless it’s in a small, sealed bottle that fits within the liquid limits. Anything larger must go in your checked luggage.
- Tip: If you’re bringing a homemade drink like sorrel or punch, it’s best to pack it in a checked bag. For safety, always check the bottle to make sure it’s tightly sealed.
3. Frozen Foods: Holiday Leftovers and Ice Packs
It’s tempting to bring home leftovers from holiday dinners—like roast turkey, stuffing, or even gravy. But there’s a catch: TSA doesn’t allow frozen items in carry-on bags. If you’re carrying something frozen, it needs to stay in your checked baggage. However, don’t forget that you can’t carry ice packs that contain liquids in your carry-on, so if you’re using an ice pack to keep your food cool, make sure it’s solid or dry ice, not gel or liquid-based.
Holiday Leftovers: Leftover turkey, stuffing, or mashed potatoes are often the first things people want to bring back after a holiday dinner. TSA allows solid food in both carry-on and checked luggage, but liquid-based leftovers (like gravy or sauces) must be under 3.4 ounces if packed in your carry-on.
- What to do: Freeze solid foods like turkey or stuffing in a sealed container, and make sure any liquids like gravy are packed in your checked luggage.
Tip: If you’re planning to bring leftover holiday foods, freeze them solid before packing them in your checked bag.
Traveling with frozen foods, like leftover holiday meals or frozen desserts, can be tricky. TSA allows frozen food in checked bags, but it needs to be completely frozen when you go through security.
- What to do: Freeze your food solid, pack it in a sturdy container, and put it in your checked luggage. If you’re using ice packs, make sure they are solid (no liquid), or they might be confiscated.
Pro Tip: If you’re transporting frozen food, use dry ice to keep it cold. However, there are strict regulations about how much dry ice you can bring, so double-check with the airline.
4. The Gift Dilemma: Wrapped or Unwrapped?
While it’s tempting to wrap up gifts before you travel, TSA recommends you hold off on wrapping presents until you get to your destination. Wrapped gifts can get unwrapped for inspection, which might cause delays or even damage your carefully wrapped presents.
- Tip: If you absolutely need to wrap something, consider using gift bags or wrapping it with tissue paper so the TSA can easily inspect it without ruining the surprise.
5. The “What About This?” Items: Keep These In Mind
During the holidays, we all have our favorite foods and drinks that we want to bring along. But there are a few things that might surprise you when it comes to what’s not allowed on the plane. For example:
- Canned foods: Canned holiday foods like cranberry sauce or soup are not allowed in your carry-on, since they’re liquids or gels. These should be packed in your checked luggage.
- Baked goods with frosting or icing: This one is tricky. If the frosting is soft or gooey (think of a cheesecake with a fruit topping), it might be seen as a liquid and could cause a hold-up in security.
- Seasonal decorations: If you’re bringing along decorations like snow globes, they must be small enough to fit the TSA’s liquid size requirements. Large snow globes or any item with liquid in it must go in your checked bag.
6. TSA PreCheck: The Secret to Faster Security
The holidays can mean long lines at airport security, but if you’re a frequent traveler or you simply want to skip the hassle, TSA PreCheck can be a huge time-saver. With TSA PreCheck, you don’t have to remove your shoes, belt, or jacket, and you don’t need to take your laptop or liquids out of your bag. This can help you get through security much faster, which is especially helpful during the busy holiday travel season.
- Tip: If you fly often, consider applying for TSA PreCheck so you can skip the long lines and get to your holiday destination faster.
Let’s dig a little deeper into TSA Precheck because it is certainly important, especially if you are traveling during the holidays. However, you cannot wait until the last minute to sign up for TSA Precheck. You have to do this months in advance. So, if you haven’t done so already, then it might be too late because there is an approval waiting period. If you don’t have it on this trip, make sure you get it before the next holiday comes along.
TSA PreCheck: Skip the Long Lines!
During the holidays, airport security can be a major time drain, especially with so many travelers flying. If you’re in a hurry and want to avoid long lines, TSA PreCheck is a great option.
- What it is: TSA PreCheck lets you go through security faster without removing your shoes, belt, or jacket. You also don’t need to take out your laptop or liquids. It’s available at most major airports and can save you tons of time.
- What to do: If you travel often, consider signing up for TSA PreCheck ahead of time. It costs about $85 for 5 years, and it’s well worth the time saved during busy travel periods like the holidays.
7. Seasonal Decorations: Snow Globes, Lights, and More
What about the holiday spirit? If you’re packing decorations, it’s important to know what’s allowed:
- Snow Globes: They’re a popular souvenir and make a lovely gift, but since they contain liquid, snow globes must be packed in your checked luggage if they exceed 3.4 ounces. If you’re bringing a smaller snow globe, you can carry it on as long as it fits within the size limit.
- What to do: If you’re packing a snow globe or other liquid-filled decoration, it’s best to check the TSA guidelines and use a sturdy container to avoid breakage.
- Christmas Lights and Decorations: If you’re bringing small lights, tree ornaments, or other decorations, make sure they’re packed safely to avoid breaking or damaging other items in your luggage. The TSA doesn’t have a problem with most decorations, but if you’re carrying large, electrical decorations, they may require extra inspection.
- What to do: For fragile items, pack them carefully in a small box with bubble wrap. You can also consider shipping larger decorations ahead of time.
8. Last-Minute Packing Tips:
Be sure to pack smart so you can enjoy your holiday travel. Here are some last minute tips to pay attention to:
- Arrive Early: The holidays are peak travel times, and airports will be busy. Give yourself extra time to get through security and deal with any delays.
- Know What You Can Bring: Always double-check the TSA guidelines and your airline’s specific rules. It’s better to be prepared than to face surprises at the security checkpoint.
- Pack Snacks and Entertainment: The last thing you want during a long flight is to be bored and hungry. Pack some easy-to-eat snacks like granola bars, crackers, or fruit, and make sure you’ve got something to entertain you—like a book, a movie, or a travel game.
Other Helpful Tips for Smooth Holiday Travel:
- Know the Airport’s Holiday Hours: Some airports have special hours during the holiday season, so check ahead if you’re traveling on a holiday.
- Arrive Early: The holidays can mean longer security lines, so arrive earlier than usual to make sure you have plenty of time to get through security and catch your flight.
- Don’t Forget Your ID and Boarding Pass: Always have your ID, passport, or other required documents ready before you get to the checkpoint to avoid delays.
The holiday season should be a time of joy, and with a little planning, your travel experience can be just as fun as the destination itself. By following these TSA rules and tips, you’ll be able to bring your favorite holiday foods, drinks, and gifts along with you without any unexpected surprises at the security checkpoint. So, pack carefully, check the rules, and enjoy your holiday trip!
By being prepared and following these updated TSA rules, you can enjoy a smoother journey and avoid last-minute stress. The holidays should be about spending time with loved ones, not worrying about airport security. So, pack smart, stay organized, and enjoy your travels!
Final Thoughts
The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and celebration, and that includes sharing your favorite foods and treats with family. Just remember: while TSA has rules in place for safety, with a little planning, you can still bring your delicious holiday goodies along for the ride! Check the TSA website for any updates to rules, and always double-check your packed items to avoid surprises.
Now, you’re ready to travel without worrying about what you can and can’t bring. Have a happy holiday trip, and may your airport experience be as smooth as possible!
Thanks for staying until the end. I hope you got some value from this. Be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel at True Travel Treasures.
Visit our Website: CLICK HERE
Visit our Storefront: CLICK HERE