If you’re flying this holiday season – whether to visit family, spend time with friends or just to get away – it’s possible you might be traveling with gifts for loved ones. However, taking gifts with you may not be as easy as you think. The good news is that you have some options.
If your gifts are large or heavy, shipping them may be the best choice. You won’t have to figure out how to carry them with you into the airport, or pay extra baggage charges. Just be sure to ship your gifts far enough in advance that they will arrive at your destination by the time you do.
If your gifts are small or fragile and you definitely want to carry them with you, be sure not to wrap them. The Transportation SafetyAdministration reserves the right for its security officers to open any wrapped package to take a closer look. To make sure your beautiful holiday paper and ribbons don’t go to waste, fold and pack them – along with some collapsible boxes and tape – and do your wrapping after you arrive. Just be sure to remember that if you’re also bringing along a pair of scissors to cut your wrapping paper, it must go in a checked bag since it is not allowed on board.
If the gifts you want to carry with you include your famous homemade salsa or your grandmother’s favorite perfume, note that these and other liquid, aerosol or gel gift items are limited to no more than 3.4 ounces each. Cakes and pies can weigh more than that, but remember that security personnel may give these items closer scrutiny.
Remember that any food items that you purchase in the airport after the security checkpoint have been pre-screened and can be taken on the plane with you. In fact, you could do all of your shopping after you pass through security, either in the airports or at your destination. After all, last-minute shopping for terrific gifts is part of the fun of the holiday season.
Another idea is to provide gifts that are very easy to take with you on airline flights: gift certificates. More and more retailers are offering gift cards and gift certificates in virtually any denomination, but it’s also possible to find them for travel items, too, including for hotels, restaurants and more. If you want to give the gift of travel, but want to leave the decision for what to give up to your loved one, consider providing them a gift certificate from your local travel agency, too.
For more tips on holiday air travel, talk with your travel professional.
Click here to read about the Top 5 U.S. Travel Destinations in 2011
This travel column was written by BlueRibbonNews.com special contributor Robbert van Bloemendaal, an experienced world traveler, native of Australia, an Ambassador with the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce, and president of Travel Leaders of Rowlett.
To submit your news and events or a guest column on your area of expertise, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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