How to travel safely with Christmas presents

The holiday season is a joyful time full of family reunions and fun times with friends. But let’s be honest — it’s also a bit stressful when it comes to traveling with Christmas presents.

This is amplified even more if you’re flying. Ensuring your gifts arrive in one piece (and still wrapped) can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you navigate the holiday travel hustle while keeping your presents safe and secure.

Understand TSA rules for wrapped gifts

If you’re flying, the Transportation Security Administration advises not wrapping your gifts beforehand.

This is because if your luggage triggers any alarms when passing through scanners, TSA agents will be required to unwrap the gifts to inspect them.

Instead, consider packing presents in gift bags, using decorative tissue paper or wrapping them loosely and finishing the job once you arrive.

If you prefer prewrapping, pack some extra wrapping paper and tape in your checked bag so you can rewrap any unwrapped surprises at your destination.

Here’s a quick run-through of the guidelines that apply to some of the most common gifts:

Electronics

Most electronic items are fine to pack in carry-on luggage. However, the TSA advises that anything larger than a cellphone should be stored in one of the trays at security, with nothing above or below it. This allows the X-ray machine to scan the item properly.

Likewise, batteries such as AA, AAA and 9-volt can all be carried through security checkpoints, as can devices with a lithium battery with 100 watt-hours or less installed. However, loose lithium batteries are prohibited.

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You can check out more detailed guidelines on flying with batteries at the FAA’s website.

Perfume

Provided that the perfume is less than 3.4 ounces and fits into a one-quart bag, it’s fine to carry it through security in your hand luggage. If the bottle is too big to fit inside the one-quart bags issued at security, you should instead pack it into a checked bag — even if it meets the 3.4-ounce rule.

Snow globes

Snow globes should also meet the 3.4-ounce liquid rule — this is generally the “size of a tennis ball,” according to the TSA. Like with perfume, you’ll also be required to pack the snow globe into a one-quart, sealable plastic bag. If your snow globe is larger than this, you should pack it into a checked bag. The same applies if you’re unable to decipher the amount of liquid inside it.

Jewelry

You can carry jewelry through a security checkpoint in carry-on luggage. However, you should avoid carrying it on your person in case it triggers an alarm as you pass through security sensors. This is especially important if the jewelry is a surprise for anyone you’re traveling with and you don’t want your loved one to spot the item during a security pat-down.

Candles

According to the TSA, candles with “solid traditional designs” are allowed to pass through security in a carry-on bag. Gel-type candles, on the other hand, are best packed into a checked bag.

Advent calendars

You can bring an Advent calendar through security without the risk of the TSA opening up the flaps on the calendar and ruining your treats.

Ship large or fragile gifts

If you’re planning to gift oversized or fragile presents like electronics, glassware or artwork, you might be better off shipping them directly to your destination. Services like FedEx, UPS and USPS offer tracking, insurance and holiday-specific packaging to ensure your gifts arrive on time and in good condition.

Related: 7 tips to avoid overpacking

If you’re using an online retailer such as Amazon, you can ship items directly to your destination as gifts. Some vendors even offer free or paid wrapping options.

Just remember to ship them as early as possible to avoid last-minute delays.

Pack strategically

You can easily spread your presents across checked and carry-on luggage, but be smart about it.

It’s a good idea to reserve checked bags for more durable items. If you must pack bulkier or fragile items in your checked luggage, use bubble wrap or keep them padded with clothes so they arrive in one piece.

Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines

Anything valuable or sentimental is best kept in your carry-on luggage. This way, if the worst happens and you end up losing your checked luggage, you’ll still have it.

As a guide, the following American Express cards all offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage.

Other American Express cards offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, such as:

Note, however, that this protection only becomes effective when you purchase a ticket using the cards in question.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.