Why You Shouldn’t Wrap Holiday Gifts Before You Fly

Three tips if you’re traveling with presents this year and don’t want airport security ruining the surprise.

By Sarah Begley

Sarah Begley Sarah Begley is a wordsmith with a deep love for nonfiction books. Her work has appeared in Time , Travel + Leisure , Food Network Magazine , and Medium , where she focuses on topics like business, health, and travel.

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Updated on October 31, 2026

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Plan ahead if you intend to travel with wrapped presents to prevent TSA agents from unwrapping them.

Familiarize yourself with the TSA’s prohibited items list to avoid unexpected issues at airport security.

Exercise caution with liquids and foods in your luggage, especially when traveling internationally, to comply with security rules.

There may be no place like home for the holidays, but if you’re traveling by plane this month and plan to bring presents for your loved ones, it’s a…