The festive season is a time for giving, celebrating, and, for many, traveling to spend the holidays with loved ones. But with the excitement of holiday travel comes the challenge of packing extra luggage—especially when you’re carrying gifts, seasonal clothes, and all the essentials for a trip. Flying with gifts and additional luggage can be tricky, particularly with all the restrictions and fees imposed by airlines.
To help make your holiday travel smoother, here are some practical tips for flying with gifts and extra luggage during the festive season.
1. Plan Ahead and Check Airline Luggage Policies
The first step in managing your extra luggage is knowing your airline’s baggage policies. Each airline has different rules regarding checked baggage, carry-ons, and oversized items. Many airlines allow one free checked bag and a carry-on, but the weight and size restrictions can vary. During peak travel times, like the holidays, some airlines may even impose stricter guidelines or higher fees for excess luggage.
Tip: Before you even start packing, visit your airline’s website to review the baggage limits and fees for additional bags. This will help you avoid surprises at the airport and plan accordingly.
2. Consider Shipping Gifts in Advance
One of the most practical ways to avoid the headache of fitting gifts into your luggage is to ship them ahead of time. This can be especially helpful if you’re traveling internationally or need to carry bulky items that are difficult to pack. Shipping gifts early ensures that they arrive before you, giving you more room to pack your own essentials.
Tip: If you’re shipping gifts, consider using services that offer tracking and delivery confirmation to ensure they arrive safely and on time. Some retailers even offer free or discounted shipping during the holiday season.
3. Use Gift Bags or Flat Packaging
If you do need to carry gifts with you, try to keep them compact and easy to handle. Rather than wrapping gifts in bulky paper, which can often be damaged during transit, consider using gift bags or flat boxes. These options are easier to pack and less likely to be squashed in transit. Plus, it saves you time at the airport when you don’t have to worry about wrapping gifts or worrying about them being inspected by security.
Tip: Avoid wrapping gifts in decorative paper before your flight as airport security may ask to inspect the items inside. You can always wrap gifts when you arrive at your destination.
4. Maximize Your Carry-On Allowance
When flying during the holiday season, the last thing you want is to be charged extra for overweight luggage or additional checked bags. To save on fees and maximize your space, be strategic about your carry-on luggage. Most airlines allow a carry-on bag in addition to a personal item (like a backpack or handbag), so use this allowance wisely. You can pack fragile gifts or smaller items in your carry-on to avoid any damage or delays.
Tip: Choose a lightweight, durable carry-on suitcase and a spacious personal bag. Use your personal item to carry gifts, snacks, or travel essentials like electronics, chargers, and medicine.
5. Check for Special Holiday Allowances
Some airlines offer special allowances for holiday travel, such as extra bags or waived fees for gifts or seasonal items (like winter coats or ski equipment). It’s worth checking with your airline to see if any such benefits are available for your trip.
Tip: Contact your airline before you travel and ask about any holiday-specific luggage allowances. This could save you a lot of money and hassle, especially if you’re carrying gifts or extra baggage.
6. Consider a Luggage Shipping Service
If you’re flying with a large amount of luggage, or if you’re carrying bulky items like sports equipment or extra bags of gifts, it may be worth looking into a luggage shipping service. These services can send your luggage ahead of time to your destination, often at competitive rates, saving you the trouble of hauling large bags through the airport.
Tip: If you plan to ship luggage, book the service in advance to ensure timely delivery, especially during busy periods like the holidays.
7. Pack Smart: Use Every Inch of Space
With so much to carry, packing efficiently is key. Take advantage of every inch of space in your suitcase by rolling clothes instead of folding them, using packing cubes, and stuffing small items like socks inside shoes. You can also use scarves or soft clothing items to cushion fragile gifts. By packing strategically, you’ll be able to maximize space and keep your gifts safe without overpacking.
Tip: Consider investing in a set of compression bags to save even more space in your luggage. These can help reduce the bulk of clothes, making room for other items like gifts.
8. Keep Important Items Accessible
When traveling with gifts and extra luggage, there are certain items you’ll need to access more frequently, such as gifts for your host, chargers, medications, or travel documents. Keep these items in your carry-on bag or an easily accessible section of your luggage so that you don’t have to rummage through your bags at security checkpoints or in transit.
Tip: Make sure your liquids and gels (like lotions, perfumes, or gift-wrapped food items) comply with airport security regulations, and store them in a clear, resealable plastic bag for easy inspection.
9. Be Prepared for Security Screening
Gifts, especially those wrapped in a box or package, might attract additional scrutiny during airport security screening. While it’s tempting to wrap your gifts in festive paper, it’s often better to leave them unwrapped. This way, security personnel can easily inspect the contents without damaging the wrapping. Some items, like food or liquids, may also be subject to additional checks or restrictions.
Tip: If you must carry wrapped gifts, opt for clear wrapping paper or gift bags that allow the contents to be easily inspected.
10. Plan for Delays and Potential Baggage Loss
The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for air travel, which means delays and even lost luggage are more likely. To avoid any panic, make sure to keep valuable or irreplaceable gifts in your carry-on bag. Additionally, it’s a good idea to pack a few essentials (like toiletries and a change of clothes) in your carry-on, just in case your checked luggage gets delayed or misplaced.
Tip: For high-value items or delicate gifts, take a photo of them before your flight. This can help with claims if anything goes wrong.
Final Thoughts
Flying with gifts and extra luggage during the festive season can seem like a daunting task, but with a little preparation, it doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these tips—checking airline policies, shipping gifts in advance, packing smart, and being aware of potential airport security issues—you can ensure your travel is as smooth as possible.
Remember, the holidays are all about making memories, and with careful planning, you can focus on enjoying your time with family and friends rather than stressing about your luggage. Safe travels and happy holidays!