The TSA’s advice for traveling with gifts this holiday season

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Without a doubt, airports and airplanes are going to be packed this holiday season. With that in mind, security checkpoints are going to be crazier than ever. “AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1. This year’s domestic travel projection narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers.”

One way to avoid long lines is to either sign up for CLEAR (if your airport and terminal offer it) and/or get TSA PreCheck.

If you are traveling with gifts, always carry on the expensive or fragile ones (as long as they don’t contain more than 3.4 ounces of liquid) and pack your clothes in your checked luggage.

In the past, I would recommend travelers not wrap their presents because if they’re flagged by the x-ray machines, either in your carry-on or checked luggage, TSA agents will rip the wrapping paper off. That’s why I suggest packing wrapping paper, scissors and tape in your checked bag if you absolutely need to or get supplies at your destination to avoid the aggravation.

Last year TSA shared a video with more details and information that all holiday travelers should heed:

If you plan to travel with gifts this holiday season, here is some helpful packing advice from @TSA Officer Torres. pic.twitter.com/NjnLrnCIMp

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) December 7

In the video, Officer Torres says: “Alright, we’re going to talk about traveling with gifts. TSA recommends that you do not wrap your gift in any gift wrapping paper or using tape at all. If your present does trigger the alarm, we will have to open it to resolve that alarm and we don’t want to go ahead and tear up that beautiful wrapping paper of yours. So we always recommend that you use either a gift bag, placing the item here, covering it up with some tissue paper, even using one of these gift boxes. You can easily place your gift inside. Once again, cover it up with some tissue paper. If it does trigger an alarm, we will easily be able just to open it, comb through the items and resolve your alarm, just like that.”

That is indeed how to pack smart. So if you don’t want to hold up the line or get aggravated, this is advice you should follow.

Here are some Christmas wrapping accessories that are great for travelers:

Pack of 8 Christmas Gift Bags
Buy here