THOUSANDS of people fly away at Christmas and often travel with a number of unusual items – from cakes and crackers to presents and party poppers.

But they often don’t think twice about packing them.

Southampton Airport is advising those travelling over the festive season to take a few moments to think about what they’re carrying and, most importantly, in which bag they’re being packed.

Neil Garwood, Southampton Airport’s head of customer service, said: “We want all of our passengers to have a very merry Christmas, arriving at their destination with all their presents intact, but we also take your safety and security very seriously.”

Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings and mince pies are all safe to go in hand luggage, but liquid accompaniments such as brandy butter, custard or cream must go in the hold.

Flybe passengers may carry one box of up to 12 crackers in a sealed box (in the original packaging, with the cellophane not broken) in the hold – but not in hand luggage.

Unfortunately other airlines serving Southampton Airport do not permit crackers anywhere on the aircraft.

Par ty poppers are not permitted anywhere on any aircraft.

Children’s snow globes contain liquid and therefore must be packed in hold baggage, which is checked in.

Beware also of sports bats, toy guns and water pistols; blunt instruments and imitation weapons must go in the hold.

Gifts for food lovers that include oils, chutneys and pâtés should also be packed in hold baggage because they are likely to fall under the 100ml liquids rule.

Watch out for those cheeseboard gift sets that include a knife, too – these need to be packed away.

Perfume, beauty gift sets and filled toiletry bags should also be packed away and checked in. And don’t forget that creams and aerosols also fall under the 100ml rule.

Anything that is being kept cold with an ice pack will also need to go in the hold – these count as liquids, too.

All alcohol and other liquids in containers over 100ml must be checked in with the hold baggage.

However, passengers may purchase wine, champagne and spirits in World Duty Free after passing through security.