According to the 2025 Deloitte Holiday Travel Survey, more than half of all Americans plan to travel this year during the Thanksgiving to January period. Many of these trips involve staying with family and friends.
Of course, many travelers bring gifts when heading to their destination. The National Retail Federation actually anticipates that 2025 holiday sales will, for the first time, top $1 trillion.
“We remain bullish about the holiday shopping season and expect that consumers will continue to seek savings in nonessential categories to be able to spend on gifts for loved ones,” said the NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
With so many people planning to both purchase gifts and travel, it is essential to heed this stern warning from the TSA about one very popular holiday present.
Don’t lose your holiday gifts to TSA.
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TSA issues stern warning about popular holiday gift
TSA took to Facebook, issuing an alert to help ensure that travelers do not bring presents they aren’t allowed to carry onto a plane.
In a December 4, 2025, post, the Transportation Security Administration addressed the issue of flying with alcohol. The TSA said “full-sized bottles of wine or other alcohol should be packed securely in your checked bag.”
Related: Southwest Airlines permanently cancels some daily flights
The TSA also warned that airlines may have their own rules. “Make sure to drink responsibly, and wherever you’re traveling, check with your airline before bringing alcohol on board,” it stated.
And finally, the TSA made it very clear that certain in-flight, alcohol-related behavior is unacceptable. “Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit travelers from drinking any alcohol on their flight, unless it is served by a flight attendant.”
Alcoholic beverages are a very popular holiday gift
The TSA’s warning is an important one for travelers because alcohol is a very popular holiday gift. In fact, according to research from Numerator:
- 85.9% of survey respondents bought alcohol during the festive season, either for a holiday-related event or to give the item as a gift.
- 82.3% bought alcohol to drink at holiday events.
- 60.6% purchased alcohol to give as a gift to others.
- Most alcohol gifts were given to family members, but close to one in four survey respondents provided alcohol as a gift to a party host.
Close to one in four survey respondents also indicated that they bought a special brand over the holidays.
This often means it was a more expensive brand. Losing a costly bottle of alcohol because you try to bring it along in your carry-on or because you violate your airline’s rules would not be a good way to start your trip.
There are also rules for alcohol in checked bags
It’s also worth noting that you can’t just assume your alcohol is fine in your checked bags. The Transportation Security Administration explains additional restrictions and details on its website, stating the following.
“Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.
Mini bottles of alcohol in carry-ons must be able to comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag.”
Be here to follow all of these regulations when you are traveling with drinks this year so you can enjoy them with your loved ones to celebrate the festive season.
Related: Delta Air Lines cancels flights permanently starting in January