holiday gifts, gloves and scarf, on top and around black luggage

Can you bring wrapped gifts in your carry-on luggage?

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Quiz: You Can’t Bring That on a Plane … Or Can You? Holiday Edition

Take our quiz to see what festive items will fly in your carry-on, according to the TSA

Crai S. Bower

AARP The Magazine

En español

Published October 26, 2023

8 Questions

How much do you know about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for flying with your favorite holiday items?

Note: TSA has the final say about what can and cannot go with you through security, so check the rules and check them twice before you head to the airport.

Quiz: You Can’t Bring That on a Plane … Or Can You? Holiday Edition

[ {
 "question" : "True or False: You can fly with a Thanksgiving turkey.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Go ahead and board with your bird. Cooked meat is permitted and may be packed in ice (ice must be frozen entirely at screening) or up to five pounds of dry ice. However, if you’re thinking about gravy, it’s limited to 3.4 ounces per container and must fit in your resealable bag.&nbsp; \n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or False: Snow globes&nbsp;are cool in the cabin.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Let it snow as long as the globe is about the size of a tennis ball. And make sure the entire item (including the base) fits in your resealable plastic bag.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of these items can accompany you on the plane?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Menorah",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : " Candles",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Safety matches",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "If the menorah fits in the overhead bin or beneath the seat, you can bring it on board. Candles are OK. Safety matches are allowed in your carry-on. However, strike-anywhere matches are not allowed in carry-on or checked luggage.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or False: You can bring your own boozy holiday spirits.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Mini-bottles (100 milliliters or less) are allowed as long as they fit into your resealable plastic bag. But save the toast for your final destination: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits drinking alcohol on board the plane unless it’s served by a flight attendant.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of these holiday plants can be carried on board?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Christmas tree",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Wreaths",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Poinsettias",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : " All the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "You may bring live plants on the plane if they fit in the overhead compartment or below the seat. For Christmas trees, check with your airline about size and packaging – at least one airline requires the branches to be wrapped.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or False: Wrapped presents are welcome.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "You can technically bring wrapped presents through screening, but TSA officers can open and inspect any wrapped gifts. It’s a good idea to save time and energy and only bring unwrapped gifts with you.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or False: Freshly baked pies are permitted.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Sweet treats like pies are solid food and allowed on board. TSA tip: Put food items such as pies and fruit cakes in a separate bin to keep things moving in the security line. \n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of the following items will make it home for the holidays?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Knitting needles",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Ice skates",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "String of holiday lights",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Just make sure anything sharp is sheathed or wrapped when going through security. And detangle the lights.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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Quiz: You Can’t Bring That on a Plane … Or Can You? Holiday Edition

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Crai S. Bower contributes the “Aging Playfully — The 'Just Do It’ Lifestyle” column to the AARP Members Only Access section. He also writes and photographs scores of stories for numerous publications including enRoute, AAA’s Journey and The Saturday Evening Post. You can follow his adventures on Instagram @travelcrais.