Christmas, New Year and all year long, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quite a few rules you should know before you pack your bags and print your boarding passes.

3-1-1 Rule

When it comes to carrying on any type of liquid – from hair gel to saline solution – the 3-1-1 Rule applies, so if you’re traveling this holiday season (or any time at all), take heed.

According to the TSA website, 3-1-1 goes as follows: 3 ounce bottles or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. It’s important to note that you’re allowed to carry on as many 3-oz. bottles as will comfortably fit inside the zip-top bag (and still be sealed properly). In addition, the 3 oz. containers in question must be marked as such by the manufacturer (not 4- or 5-oz. containers with an ounce or two of liquid discarded, or 3 oz. bottles filled up by you).

Gifts

When it comes to traveling with gifts, skip the wrap. Because TSA security guards are well within their rights to unwrap anything they think should be more closely inspected.

In addition to leaving the gift wrap behind, the 3-1-1 Rule still applies. So if you’re taking a bottle of perfume to someone special or bringing bottle of homemade cranberry liqueur to help ring in the holidays, either pack it in your checked bag or pack it safely and ship it ahead.

For more information about what to expect when traveling this holiday season, check out the latest security updates at www.TSA.gov.