From festive fruitcakes to icy drinks, TSA's 12 holiday guidelines

This is a favorite fun fact at TPG: you can indeed bring frozen liquids through TSA checkpoints.

As Christmas nears and millions set off on holiday journeys, the Transportation Security Administration wants to remind you of their list of permitted and prohibited carry-on items.

We have a few personal favorites to share.

Food items are particularly significant during the holidays, right? Fortunately, the TSA states that most foods make the nice list and can pass through security.

Others don't have as much luck.

No need to fret; the TSA guidelines are quite simple. Generally, solid items can pass through security without issue. You're welcome to bring along fruitcake, pastries, chocolates, candy canes, fruit and nut baskets, and even a ham (frozen or cooked) with ease.

The TSA is a bit more Grinch-like when it comes to certain items.

Their official statement warns, "If it can spill, spread, spray, pump, or pour, and exceeds 3.4 ounces, it must go in your checked luggage."

This includes your holiday eggnog, Champagne, wine, sparkling apple cider, cranberry sauce (which is spreadable), along with preserves, jams, jellies, and maple syrup—these should all be securely checked in.

When transporting food, health and safety should always come first. It's wise to visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture websites, both of which offer advice on traveling safely with food.

If you need to keep items like that ham cold, you can bring ice packs through security, provided they are completely frozen.

In fact, TSA rules allow for "frozen liquid items" to pass through security, as long as they aren't "partially melted, slushy, or have liquid at the bottom of the container."

This guideline is categorized under "ice," but some TPG staffers have successfully used it to carry frozen drinks through security.

Whether your holiday goodies are fresh or frozen, be sure to give yourself extra time to navigate security checkpoints. To help those in line behind you, remove food items from your bags in advance.

If you're uncertain about what to pack in your carry-on, visit the "What can I bring" section on the TSA website. You can also tweet directly to @AskTSA for inquiries about transporting your holiday treats.

The TSA offers some useful tips regarding gifts as well.

Part of the joy of the holidays is wrapping presents for loved ones. If you plan to take those gifts through security, consider keeping them in gift bags, allowing TSA to inspect them if necessary. You can always wrap them once you reach your destination.

Here’s another TSA tip: If someone has asked Santa for a snow globe, it must go in checked luggage unless it contains less than 3.4 ounces of liquid. How to tell? If it's smaller than a tennis ball, you can bring it on board to ensure it arrives safely to its recipient.