xmas presents and packing for holiday advice please

[shellface]

should i pack wrapped presents? or unwrapped presents, wrapping paper and cellotape?

second option is more hassle but would hate if customs decided to rip them all open for some reason!

what do you think?

 

[mandymouse]

Last year I took some unwrapped presents, like you I was afraid that they would start unwrapping stuff. I had to laugh cos last year we had our bags searched at the airport and I made the girls turn around in case they saw anything (even though they were 13 & 11)

 

[shellface]

two years ago I took wrapped presents and they were fine, my boyfriends mum took everything unwrapped, and got her bag searched!!! she made us turn around and we were 21!!!!!!

I may have been ok then, but I really don't want to chance it,think I will see what others think as well.

maybe there is a government travel advice website or something that will tell me what to do????

 

[mandymouse]

Here you go Shellface (are you leaving from Gatwick ??)

http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/tips.html

 

[shellface]

Here you go Shellface (are you leaving from Gatwick ??)

http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/tips.html

Yes i will be flying from gatwick...and that link has been most helpful thanks


do people actually take creosote in their hand luggage????


Basically The site says NOT to wrap gifts as they may have to be unwrapped by security staff

Guess that sorts that out then

 

[Clare D]

Oh how lovely to be away over Christmas. I have been on the run up to Christmas but not over it. Anyway as I digress rather than taking wrapping paper in the big rols wouldn't it be easier to get some when you were over there? Just a thought as the paper is really fine and may get torn on the roll in your case.
Have a great trip

 

[shellface]

Oh how lovely to be away over Christmas. I have been on the run up to Christmas but not over it. Anyway as I digress rather than taking wrapping paper in the big rols wouldn't it be easier to get some when you were over there? Just a thought as the paper is really fine and may get torn on the roll in your case.
Have a great trip

That is good advice and something that hadn't occured to me, it will definately mean that I save a bit more space in the suitcases!!!

and yes I am very fortunate to be going out over christmas, and will get to enjoy the experience with my boyfriends family including his two cousins who are very young! Christmas just isn't the same without kids about!!!!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

i always travel with my gifts already wrapped and carry extra wrapping paper and cellotape in case the gifts are opened....
i do that both going into the US and into Canada...
so far i've never had anything opened....

by the way, when entering the US, non-residents don't have to declare anything that they're not leaving in the US....so if the gifts are for your own family and you're taking them out of the country again with you, you don't have to declare their value...